Walk The Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges Tusayan Hotels

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To walk Grand Canyon south rim trails was some thing we wanted to do for a while.

We love to hike and just about every vacation we take we plan a hike and where better to hike than the Grand Canyon.

At first when we were planning our trip we were thinking in terms of just trekking along the canyon rim and maybe down Bright Angel trail.

Which in itself is quite a decent hike.

However Malcolm soon had other ideas, he wanted to hike down into the canyon but it soon became clear that a walk to the river and back in one day would be too much to do.

As we did a bit of research,to walk in the Grand Canyon, we found that there was a canyon loop trail, which commenced from the South Kaibab path then left along the Tonto trail to Indian Gardens and back up Bright Angel. The only problem being that the Tonto path is not a maintained track in the way that the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails are.

On the two main canyon tracks there are standpipes for drinking water at intervals and toilets at one point on each path. This is not the greatest cause for concern as you can obviously carry water and if you are used to hiking every bush or rock can be a toilet. The thing about a trail that is not maintained is, as you would expect, not always clear exactly where the path is.

We visited as many sites as we could to read experiences of people who had hiked this loop trail to get as much information as possible and these were the hints we found most helpful.

Start as early as you can form the South Kaibab trail head, do not start from Bright Angel track as the Tonto path is harder to find from there.

We were on the first bus from the centre to the South Kiabab trailhead, it was dark when we left our south rim lodging at one of the Tusayan hotels but the sun was just rising as we commenced our hike.

It was one of those experiences that is impossible to try to describe but you can imagine how wonderful it was to see the canyon being lit up by the rising sun and brought to life.

We had read that we would need to allow approximately one hour per mile which we thought was excessive but it turned out to be just about right.

It was very cold when we set off, it was important to layer up as it became very warm the further down we went.

Also, about halfway down there is a fairly narrow ledge to negotiate and it was very windy the day we went. Just don’t get blown off!

You go 3 miles down the South Kaibab trail where there are some toilets, which are there because this is the way the mule treks go (watch out for mule poo on the path). This is where you have to look out for the small wooden sign taking you left along the Tonto track. It was easier to spot than we thought it was going to be.

This was definitely the part of the hike that made me most nervous because I knew the trail would probably disappear in places and the Park Authorities do not help as they actively discourage anyone from straying away from the two maintained trails. In their defence I will say that it would be a potential disaster for anyone to just slip on a pair of trainers and decide to do this hike but with correct preparation it is a wonderful experience.

There was a point where we did actually miss the path but because Malcolm had put the time in the get to know as much about the trail as possible we soon realised it and found the way we needed.

After approximately another three miles we came to Indian Gardens, which is the point to join the Bright Angel trail. Here there are toilet and water facilities and shaded picnic areas.

Many people walk from the south rim of the canyon to Indian Gardens, so the facilities are good.

By this time we had been walking for about five hours and we still had three miles to walk to get back up to the canyon rim.

It is a fairly steep trail but it does wind around to make it as easy as possible and there are shaded rest areas with seats.

We saw deer on this trail and plenty of chipmunks, please do not feed any of the wild animals.

Another good reason to finish your hike on the Bright Angel trail is that the sun will be going down in the canyon and you will be in shade.

Preparation is everything. Do remember to take lots to drink, salty snacks, nuts are good and stop every hour, no longer than one and a half hours to drink and snack. It is better to take small snacks often than one large lunch.

I admit I was a little nervous but it was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to anyone who loves to hike.

When I got back to the top of the canyon it was back to the hotel lodging in our Tusayan hotel for a welcome shower, something to eat and a good nights sleep, after a wonderful day.

Why don't you walk the Grand Canyon trails?

I recommend canyon trail hiking especially the Grand Canyon. <<>>




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