Grand Canyon Adventure

In early May, Jane and I will be traveling back to the Desert Southwest (where we vacationed last year) to experience up-close and personal the Grand Canyon. We plan to run/hike rim-to-rim-to-rim (R2R2R) over two days. We'll fly into Phoenix and stay overnight on the South Rim, then early the next morning run to the North Rim. The following day we retrace our steps. The trail distances are approximately 21 miles on the first day and 23 the next. After our overnight on the South Rim we'll take the earliest hiker shuttle to the South Kaibab trail head. The bus stop is a 15 min walk to the trailhead where we enter the canyon and the adventure begins. Click on topographical map at left for an expanded view of the trails marked in red. The plan is to run down the South Kaibab Trail to the Phantom Ranch, then continue north along the Bright Angel Creek on the North Kaibab Trail toward Roaring Springs (not shown on the topo map above but is diagramed below although not to scale), and then make the final assault to the North Rim. Once at the top, we'll stay overnight at the North Rim Lodge. The following day we'll retrace our steps as far as the Phantom Ranch and then return to the South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail. While the Bright Angel Trail adds a mile and a half, it also provides several water sources and nice rests stops—critical in this country, and the South Kaibab has none.

Since this probably isn't the smartest activity to undertake, in fact the park rangers evidently frown on it, we plan to go with several running buddies who have been making this run a yearly activity and one of the guys going with us is an emergency room physician--so that's good. Also, I will obsessively plan so we know what to expect and try to anticipate all potential emergencies and needs. There are ample warnings not to attempt what we plan to do (see picture below) but most people say that the ordinary visitor who is reasonably well prepared has no reason to heed the warning signs. Of course, there is always the possibility one could run into trouble.