View Full Version : Grand Canyon
humunuku
04-07-2009, 18:30
So is it really that big of a deal to do South Kaibab trail down and the Bright Angel trail up as a day hike during the end of May...all the info say do not do it... Seems like if you got going before sun-up, it shouldn't be much of an issue. Anyone ever done it?
(I only have one day at GC, so i'd like to do a long hard hike)
Bootstrap
04-07-2009, 18:34
When I was hiking rim to rim, there were some people doing it in a day, and one crazy group of women who went rim to rim and back in a day. So it is possible.
It's rugged terrain. If you're in really good shape and you keep your gear light, it can certainly be done. Make sure you know yourself and your condition, and don't underestimate this terrain.
How would you get back? With a shuttle?
Jonathan
McKeever
04-07-2009, 18:47
It's an amazing hike and can be done in one day. I did it back in the early 90's when I lived in Phoenix for a year and studied Intel processors and control systems. While I was there I hiked in the Sonoran desert and upper desert around the Canyon.
To get an idea of the elevation over distance, go the the Canyon's web site and then compare that to hiking up some of the elevations on the AT. Not much difference for many and not as much as others. Just keep in mind that if you screw up in the Canyon it will cost you 10k so make sure you're ready. Be prepared for temps over 105 at the bottom so proper foot ware and clothing is essential.
I've seen some AZ hikers here lately posting good info and hope they will post on this and elaborate on some different routes. Check some of their posts in the other trails forum.
bigcranky
04-07-2009, 18:53
I can't tell you what to do, but our day hike from the North Rim down to Roaring Spring and back was plenty hard, and it was only about halfway to the river. That was in June, though, so it was well over 100-F at the spring (and we started before dawn, in mid-30s temps.) Just make sure you have tons of water, and take it easy both ways.
McKeever
04-07-2009, 19:18
http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gifCorridor Trails Distances
South Kaibab Trail: The trail begins on the South Rim near Yaki Point, and descends to the Colorado River. Elevation change from rim to river is 4860 ft (1480 m), along a 6.3 mile (10.1 km) trail. Because of the unavailability of water and steepness of this trail, rangers recommend hiking down this trail only - and recommend using the Bright Angel trail for the hike out on the next day.
That's more change than I remember but the switch backs are well graded so it's no more difficult than some of the big climbs on the AT. I would test myself on a one of the AT's big climbs before I would go again. I went from the rim to the river and back on the Bright Angel Trail. I started at dawn and it was around 30 degree with light frost. When it arrived at the river it was over 105.
BitBucket
04-07-2009, 20:00
If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, I'd suggest that you do a little research on this before you begin...most hikers grossly under estimate the conditions in the canyon...
Here's a good NPS resource....
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm
take the warnings about hydration, temperature, heat, elevation change, hiking during the day, etc. very seriously.
The number of folks that have either lost their lives or had to be airlifted out of the big ditch because they didn't have a full grasp of the conditions will amaze you.
One in particular stands out in my mind... Margaret Bradley, a gifted medical student and Marathon runner who lost her life in 2004...
http://www.gbtc.org/announce/announce0407-bradley2.html
Not trying to discourage you but if you haven't experienced what the Canyon has to offer, don't let your first day there be your last...
If you take this trip and the potential hazards seriously, you can make this an experience of a lifetime....
Ditto above. Enjoy it and camp at the bottom. We did it in October down Kaibib and my fit companions were dehydrated by the bottom which is very hot, even in mid October. Just imagine wearing fleeces at the top and ninety degrees sun and no shade at the bottom and you have the picture. In mid October. We stayed at Phantom Ranch and had reservations 13 months ahead. There is no water on south kaibib at all and no shade cover. Take all the precautions about hydatration seriously. There is not a drop of water on Kaibib. I had no problems but my two friends suffered from dehydration from noon on down Kaibib. When they started hurting, they quit drinking fluid. And we carried fluid heavy. They made it down but it was a slow and painful slog. Why rush the experience? Hke around and hike up to Indian Garden half way up Bright Angel for a nce camp. Out to plateau point for a beatiful sunset. Next day: up th tough part up Bright Angel on the way out.
fiddlehead
04-07-2009, 23:54
Take a flashlight, plenty of water, and if you are in AT hiking shape, shouldn't be a problem.
Flashlights are important, when we did it, we passed a few attempting to do just that and they were pretty tired, only half-way back up and it was dusk and they had no lights.
generoll
04-07-2009, 23:59
As noted the south Kaibab is dry. If you time your hike to get to the river about sunup, then the hike out is doable. You won't be the first. On the way up the Bright Angel you'll find water at Indian Gardens, 4 mile house and 2 mile house. You are talking about something on the order of an 18 mile day. Do you have that in you?
Our river guides told us that when they run from rim to rim they start out around midnight so as to be at the top around noon.
If you have a specific reason for hiking it that way then go for it. There's nothing unique about it, but if that's what ypou want and you know your condition then enjoy.
I've always found accommodation at Phantom Ranch. Just call every day and eventually there'll be a cancellation. You might not get your pick of meal times, but we've always managed to get a bunk in the dormitory.
Spirit Walker
04-08-2009, 00:42
It really depends on what kind of shape you are in. If you are in really good shape, it's not that difficult since the trail is built for tourists and mules, though May can be very hot. Sixteen miles with a 5000' elevation gain is doable if you are in trail shape. If you haven't done that kind of mileage before, I'd camp at the bottom.
When we did it, a couple of years after our thruhike, I had nightmares the night before after reading all the signs warning against going to the river and back in one day. We went in April, so heat wasn't an issue and we were out by 5:00 or so. (The shuttle didn't drop us off until 8:00 or 8:30.) It was then a very very long drive to Flagstaff. If I were to do it again, I'd stay at the rim both the day before and the night of the hike.
UGASlotMachine
04-08-2009, 08:43
A group of people in the Univ. of Georgia Interdisciplinary Field Program did this in 2004 (and I still believe it happens now).
We started around 3:30 (it was 40 degrees or so), got to the bottom to see first sun around 7ish and then headed back up before it got too hot. It was around 11:30 when we finished up top (this was mid-June) and it was 108 degrees.
Completely doable with proper planning. It is quite tremendous to see the canyon in darkness as you descend, see first light at the bottom and watch the sun illuminate each layer of the canyon as the sun rises higher and higher.
You'll see plenty of signs not to do this, but really, it's for the families/couples with flip-flops and Sunkists that think it'd be cool to see the river at the bottom on a nice "day-hike"
To coat tail on to what many have said. The temperature at the bottom will be very close to the temperature in Phoenix. The temp at the top will be close to Flagstaff. So by checking the weather predictions on the web for the date you plan to hike will give you a very good idea of what you will run into.
South Kaibab is very steep and is quicker to go down. Bright Angel has a water stop about half way up at Indian Gardens. Its that last section from Indian Gardens to the top that seems the longest, but as you gain elevation you do drop in temperature somewhat. As previous posters have stated, they planned to be out by noon to avoid the afternoon sun. Something I and my friends did not due, but we survived anyway, although next time.....
garlic08
04-08-2009, 13:36
The South Kaibab descent, in my experience, was the most difficult part of that loop. Like all the others have said, be sure you're in excellent condition for that kind of day. If you are, it's a memorable hike.
humunuku
04-08-2009, 17:36
I only have that one day at the canyon, so thants why I'm not staying over. I can do 20 mile days in the smokies in the summer with all the humidity and have done 100 mile bike races in 100+ temps, so I I was thinking that it is pretty do-able.
thanks for all the responses.
I did South Kaibab down and Bright Angel up in a day in record heat in June a couple years ago. One of the rangers said it was 116 degrees at the bottom of the canyon. Getting down isn't a problem. You can get to the bottom in a couple hours. Getting back out will take the rest of the day.
There's no water on South Kaibab, and very little shade on either trail. The heat can be pretty brutal. Get an early start and bring plenty of water and snacks. I drank over a gallon of water and a Gatorade, mostly on the trail back up. The good news is there's water and shade every mile and a half or so on Bright Angel.
Shutterbug
04-08-2009, 19:24
So is it really that big of a deal to do South Kaibab trail down and the Bright Angel trail up as a day hike during the end of May...all the info say do not do it... Seems like if you got going before sun-up, it shouldn't be much of an issue. Anyone ever done it?
(I only have one day at GC, so i'd like to do a long hard hike)
My wife and I (both 65 years old) did that hike last October, but chose to do it in two days. It could have easily been done in one.
We left the South Rim at 7:45 and were at Phantom Ranch well before noon. The next morning we left Phantom Ranch at 6:30 and reached the South Rim about 11:30 a.m.
The issues are fairly simple:
1. knees -- even people who are well conditioned often develop knee problems on the South Kaibab. It is all down hill for 4,500 feet. I saw a lot of people limping by the time they got to the bottom.
2. heat -- even in May the heat during the middle part of the day is intense. To make it down and back up in one days means that you will be starting the climb during the hottest part of the day. There is quite a bit of shade between Phantom Ranch and Indian Gardens, but it will still be hot. Drink a lot of water.
Here is a link to my pictures from the hike -- http://picasaweb.google.com/shutterbug.dave/GrandCanyonAgain#
Although it may be possible I do think it's a big deal and a bad idea, especially if you go all the way to the Colorado River and back up. You have to be flying along to the beat of a clock and disrespect the hike to do it. Give this awesome(Grand it is indeed) the time and respect that it deserves!!!.
I only have that one day at the canyon, so thants why I'm not staying over. I can do 20 mile days in the smokies in the summer with all the humidity and have done 100 mile bike races in 100+ temps, so I I was thinking that it is pretty do-able.
thanks for all the responses.
The elev change and steepness of the the trails and the heat in a 20 mile day in the Smokies is not as great as going down the S. Kaibab and back up the BA. And, being on a bike for even 100 miles is not the same as hiking!
http://weather.yahoo.com/Grand-Canyon-Arizona-United-States/USAZ0088/statistics.html
http://weather.yahoo.com/Phoenix-Arizona-United-States/USAZ0166/statistics.html
The above links will give you the averages temperatures for the month of May for the top of the Canyon, The bottom of the canyon, The record highs and the record lows.
Is it a tough one day hike: yes.
Is it doable, if you are prudent: yes.
Should you be careful: yes.
Should you invest all of your money in growth stocks.....
Anyways..
Wear a hat.
Drink plenty of water. I recommend some sort of camelback device to sip on water on a regular basis. If you start feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
Wear a hat that has ventilation so it doesn't trap heat in ( a cheap straw hat works well).
Apply sunscreen.
Have fun.
Did I mention a good sun hat?
I have been hiking the Canyon since '68 and would suggest the best day hike is to take a round trip via Bright Angel to Plateau Point. You will enjoy it more and will have access to water the entire trip. Your present plan is to invite torture that time of the year and on into the summer. A good two day trip is one day to the river and the next day back to the S Rim via the Bright Angel.
The last time I hiked to the River was in late May '05. 110 degrees at the river. a really hot trip.
Shutterbug
04-09-2009, 02:03
I have been hiking the Canyon since '68 and would suggest the best day hike is to take a round trip via Bright Angel to Plateau Point. You will enjoy it more and will have access to water the entire trip. Your pleasant plan is to invite torture that timeof the year and on into the summer. A good two day trip is one day to ther river and the next day back to the S Rim via the Bright Angel.
The last time I hiked to the River was in late May '05. 110 degrees at the river. a really hot trip.
I agree. For a first time hike of the Grand Canyon, the hike to Plateau Point would be a more enjoyable hike. You could make it to Plateau Point before it gets too hot. Return to Indian Gardens and rest in the shade until it starts cooling down in the afternoon. That would be a hike you would remember with fondness.
In fact, that was the hike that my wife and I did the first time we hiked in the Grand Canyon. We enjoyed it so much that we now hike the Grand Canyon twice a year. In June we are hiking rim to rim to rim. We are allowing 5 days so that we can enjoy the beauty of the canyon.
Thanks for sharing those pics. Enjoyed them. #214 very cool perspective.
#312 has considerable merit.
I can see why you go back.
modiyooch
04-10-2009, 19:51
I believe we hiked down South Kaibab and up Bright Angel Trail. They are both on the south rim with easy accces back to the car. We were lucky enough to get a campsite for the night, but we were considering hiking down and back in one day. Plus we had 3 kids. I think it can be done, but be prepared. We started out in 90 degree weather, woke up to rain, and it was snowing when we returned to the top.
Shutterbug
04-11-2009, 13:57
Thanks for sharing those pics. Enjoyed them. #214 very cool perspective.
#312 has considerable merit.
I can see why you go back.
#214 shows the only glimpse of the Colorado River that most visitors to the Grand Canyon ever get. It was taken from one of the few places on the South Rim where one can actually see the river.
#312 was taken at the Bright Angel campground. The water of Bright Angel creek sure feels great when the temperature is above 90 degrees. I have been there when it was 122!!!
DuctTape
04-11-2009, 16:15
Pictures from when I did this last year:
http://www.downthetrail.com/grand-canyon/south-kaibab-bright-angel-loop-hike/
I only have that one day at the canyon, so thants why I'm not staying over. I can do 20 mile days in the smokies in the summer with all the humidity and have done 100 mile bike races in 100+ temps, so I I was thinking that it is pretty do-able.
thanks for all the responses.
With this experience you can do it. Just be sure to give the hike the respect it deserves - flashlight, plenty of food (Salty snacks), sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, an extra layer for the chill you'll get from the temp change near the top of Bright Angel, etc. Keep drinking - I carried 4 quarts and drank it all on the way down Kaibab, then you can fill up at Phantom Ranch and Indian Garden on the way up as needed. Gatorade mix or an equivalent is a good idea - your body loses salt and electrolytes here just as quickly as water. Last September I did the Hermit Trail to the river and back in day and drank two gallons!