Grand Canyon HikingHiking down the Canyon rim will provide you an amazingly beautiful close encounter with its varied vegetation, ruggedness and tranquility. For Grand Canyon hiking, several trails and routes cover thousands of miles of awe-inspiring journey through its rim and interior. You should purchase a good excursion guide such as Hiking Grand Canyon National Park by Rod Adkinson to help with your planning. This book contains first-hand descriptions and detailed maps for all the developed trails as well as tips on safety, hiking with children, access, and services. This guide also includes indispensable information on backcountry regulations, permits, and water sources. The first timers can avail of the preliminary Rim Trail from Mather Point in the Village west to Hermits Rest. It is the perfect Grand Canyon hiking trail for getting adapted to environmental conditions at 7,000-feet height. It is also ideal for novices interested in having a first hand experience of encountering different physical challenges while going down the Canyon. Families with children should especially opt for this Grand Canyon hiking trail. Some unpaved parts of Rim Trail will take you very close to the edge to gaze over the fabulous treasure of the Canyon. The 12.6-mile long South Kaibab Trail around the Canyon is one of the most strenuous. This hiking route follows the ridgelines rather than the sides of the Canyon with a descent of nearly 5,000 feet in 6.3 miles. It provides the most panoramic view of the Canyon. This hiking trail journeys through the Red Wall Formation to the Inner Gorge before coming across the Kaibab Suspension Bridge on the way to Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. You won’t get water on this two day long, exposed trail. During the North Kaibab Trail, the only well-maintained Grand Canyon Hiking from the North Rim, you can appreciate the sheer size of the Canyon and its natural bounty. On this Grand Canyon hiking trail, you will come across wonderful views that will make you forget the fatigue of the distance covered. The Supai Tunnel day hike provides some breathtaking views of the Canyon and you have to spare whole day for Grand Canyon hiking to the Roaring Springs, 3,041 feet below the rim. Yet another challenging trail is the Hermit Trail. This 17-mile long, round trip starting from Canyon rim will take you along a rugged trail culminating near Colorado River at Hermits Rest on West Rim Drive, eight miles west of Grand Canyon Village. Experience of desert hiking will survive you through the Boucher and Waldron Trails. The Ken Patrick and Uncle Jim Trails are Grand Canyon hiking trails involving very little ascents and descents. Begin your rim day hike from the Ken Patrick trailhead and reach Uncle Jim Trailhead. This loop trail progresses along Roaring Springs and Bright Angel Canyons, overlooking the upper portions of North Kaibab Trail. You will experience different weather conditions, as you hike down the Canyon. It starts getting hotter and the Danger Zone begins between 1.5 and 3 miles down the inner Canyon trails. So, always undertake the hike when it is cool and shady; apply generous amounts of sunscreen and shade your face with a wide-brimmed hat. Also, use more salt in your food and carry a minimum of two liters water for each person during half-day hikes. Always keep in mind that hiking back out will take almost twice the time it takes hiking down into the canyon. Bring a good compass and a good excursion guide such as Hiking Grand Canyon National Park by Ron Adkinson.
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