How to Plan a Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike

Planning a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike can be complex and intimidating. In this short video I show you how to do it so you are successful and have a great time!

#Arizona #GrandCanyon #R2R #Rim2Rim #RimToRim #Backpacking

[JonJaeden]

May 1971 ... my best friend and I were hitchhiking across America. We got to the South Rim fairly late with no particular plan -- we just wanted to see the awesome canyon. Some guy came stumbling up the Bright Angel Trail while we were there and he was stoked. "You just have to go down there, " he told us. So, without any plan and carrying heavy Sears canvas sleeping bags over our shoulders filled with canned food, we headed down for about four days. Camped at Indian Gardens the first night, then several nights at Phantom Ranch. Hiked as far as Ribbon Falls. When we finally headed out we ended up hiking the portion from Indian Gardens back to the South Rim in the dark. Warm, wonderful weather down by the river and freezing at the top when we came out. Although it was 48 years ago, it is still an experience my mind goes back to frequently and it's a common point of reference with my friend. In some way, it was formative of much that came after. In the years that followed, when my friend and I lived over 1, 000 miles apart, we would meet in Las Vegas and drive to the canyon to walk down again. It's a great hike.

Thanks for the info.

[mikerobinson]

Great video ... just a few things to add – as someone who has also enjoyed these same experiences over (now) many decades:

• For many years, my wife and I would plan a visit to "Phantom" Ranch on "Halloween." (Yes, we've memorized the ranger stories.)
• We also did several mid-summer(!) hikes where we hiked out by moonlight. (This should NOT be your first experience.)
• "ABOVE ALL, TAKE YOUR TIME." Our most-common itinerary was five days: North Rim, Cottonwood, Bright Angel, Indian Gardens, El Tovar. This gives you time to enjoy the waterfalls on the North Rim, and to walk "half a mile(!)" out to Plateau Point on South Rim, just in time for an unforgettable sunset.
• "You are here now ... what's your hur-ry?" You "get there" by mid-afternoon each day, with plenty of time to now appreciate "being there."
• "Electrolyte drinks" are much more important than this video seems to suggest. We swore by "Gookinaide, " putting it into every canteen of water that we ever re-filled throughout the hike. On our "inaugural" hike we didn't know this, and were almost paralyzed(!) by muscle-cramps – honestly wondering how we'd make it up the very-few steps into the dinner house. (In subsequent years, we reached the final rim without incident.) In my mind, "this single thing really is the difference." Buy the stuff and keep drinking it.
• "Although, yes, this hike is properly challenging, " please don't psych yourself out. With ordinary preparation, "you can do this, " and have an absolutely wonderful time. "Don't rush up the hill – you'll get there. Really."
• An overnight dinner at Phantom Ranch – whether it be the early-steak or the later-stew – is absolutely not to be missed. You will find yourself sitting next to people, literally, "from all over the world." Enjoy the moment. Treasure it. No food ever tasted so good – nor any beer or wine.
• All that "Rim To Rim" gear and 'swag' was intended, after all, for YOU!

Please thoroughly ENJOY a journey that we have now enjoyed – and we're not done yet – more than a dozen times. However, every single time is "a trip of a lifetime."

[gondwanalon]

Good video! Thanks!
Airport bag inspectors confiscated my propane stove from my checked bags in the past. There was no residual propane in the stove and there were no propane canisters. That’s why I bring my tiny propane stove with my in my carry on bag. If questioned about the stove then I can have a debate about the stove being totally inert and my flammable underwear are more of a threat to the airplane than my inert metal stove.
Good luck!

[californiathroughmylens]

Great job on the video. Tons of good information

[DavidThomas-svtk]

Great info. I’ve done it many times, although usually as a day hike to the river and back, I’ve done two R2R2Rs.

Slight corrections: a well-aired-out canister or alcohol stove is no problem with TSA but white gas stoves can be hard to get clean enough to pass their sniff test so I’d highly recommend a canister stove.

You show someone doing very high steps in training. CGNP trails are so well-graded, I’d suggest just going up and down regular stairs in your house, apartment complex, or office building. 10 minutes a day for weeks in advance is hugely helpful for flat-landers. Do NOT substitute a stairclimber at the gym. You get sorest going downhill which a stairclimber does not prepare you for.
+1 on an early start. In summer, you can not start too early. 5 am is better than 6 am. 3 am is great. You climb out in the cool of morning, passing all the normals who just started and will do their ascent in the high and direct sun of the afternoon.

Even (especially) on a long day hike, bring a little LED headlamp. I buy $1 ones from Walmart and hand them out almost every evening I’m heading up or down to stragglers who took far longer than they expected.

[jbeebe]

Very helpful tips and info. Much appreciated.

[protohubbatanes]

Warching from Batanes, Philippines. I know my chances of visitng your the grand canyon is very slim but i have to watch full because of the narration and the many tips you give including best time to visit and dangers and annoyances.. new friend here. Thank you.

[masoodamirkhani]

Awesome! Thank you for such detail video. I’ll have to watch it a few times to memorize. I am going to GC next spring or, mid April.

[Yourname]

Nicely done, wonderfully presented, thank you.

[gwrulzmylife]

Very professional video with tons of information!

[typpiet]

Thanks for this very informative video.

[sgrey]

Great video! Planning the hike in 2021 and this was very helpful.

[jymnmeier]

Absolutely amazing info and presentation! Well done Sir and Thank You <3

[nobodyhikes]

Excellent information, thank you. Did this for the first time early November. What an adventure!

[eitansalama]

Completed the High Sierra trail 3 weeks ago this is my next trip !

[Ash-dtux]

Have to say, this is the best hike guide channel I have ever come across.. simple details that other channels try showing in different videos are all in one vlog here! Thanks for all the info !

[rainbowrunner]

I've lived in Arizona my whole life so far, and a Grand Canyon rim to rim hike is definitely a bucket list item. My bro and I are planning on doing it in May 2022. While its guaranteed to be an epic experience, its also not for the faint of heart. That's why we're trying to work out our plans roughly 10 months in advance.

[mattblack]

Thank you for this wonderful and informative video. Been getting the wheels in motion to do a R2R hike for May 2020. I have anxiety about it already even though I can't even apply for a permit for another 3 months!

[johneason]

Great video! I'm with you with eating a phantom ranch! Best steak ever.

[danoconnor]

All good advice. I wish I'd known that you can't pound stakes into the rock hard dirt at the camp sites.