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Grand Canyon National Park Rim To Rim

Monday, May 12, 2025 - Monday, May 19, 2025 -- $TBD ★★★★

NEITHER THE TRIP DATES NOR TRIP ITINERARY ARE FINAL! This is our proposed itinerary. The Grand Canyon backcountry office will not issue May backcountry permits on or about January 15th, 2025. There is an extraordinarily high demand for permits, especially along the corridor trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab, North Kaibab). So it's unknown as of now whether or not we'll obtain any permit at all and if so, what the dates or ultimate route will be. While we'd ideally like a Tri-Rim itinerary, our chances of obtaining a Rim to Rim itinerary are greater. If the park does award us an itinerary, the park may change our dates or our group size to do so.


If we are not awarded this itinerary during the lottery window, we will attempt to move the trip to anywhere from a day later up to about 2 weeks later, so your flexibility is important.


This is the 1st of 3 trips to the Grand Canyon this year.

What can we possibly tell you about Grand Canyon National Park, that would persuade you to visit? Would it help to know that it's considered one of the 7 Wonders of the Natural World? Or that its geologic features reveal 40% of the Earth's history? Or that the Grand Canyon is home to some of the cleanest air in the United States? Or that it's well over a mile deep, giving rise to superlative, unobstructed views?


The Grand Canyon is a life list destination that words are insufficient to fully describe. You owe it to yourself to visit this truly amazing wonder.


This trip is a Rim to Rim to Rim trip ... the quintessential, classic (and most popular) route. It's the trip that just about everyone should do once in their lives. It begins at the South Rim, heads down to the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch, climbs up to the North Rim, and then heads back to the South Rim on a slightly different route.


Our fallback route (for which there is also high demand) is a Rim to Rim trip in which we backpack 3 days from South Rim to the North Rim and take a most-of-the-day shuttle back to the South Rim



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See CalTopo map


Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking, especially in the Grand Canyon. May is a good time to visit weather-wise as it's warming up on the rims although it's starting to get hot in the bottom of the canyon. Be prepared for freezing weather or even snow on the North and South rims, but also be prepared for 100 degrees at the bottom of the canyon. Hopefully neither will happen but we must be prepared for each.



Probable Trip Leaders

Guide(s) TBD

Difficulty


This trip will be difficult and grueling at times, especially if we are awarded a Tri-Rim itinerary. This is because we ascend from the Colorado River twice. But even doing so once on a Rim to Rim can be quite an undertaking.

The Grand Canyon can be extremely difficult and forbidding. The temperatures can be freezing on the rim or over 100 degrees in the Canyon. There is little to no shade in some areas, so you will be exposed to the beating sun for extended periods with only the water you carry. Sun block alone is not sufficient for this. You must bring a wide brimmed hat, long sleeve shirt and long pants.


Furthermore, water may not be available for a few days at a time (although on the corridor route we expect it to be, even if the faucets are turned off). The North Rim is a possible exception. You should be able to carry 6 liters of water (and possibly even 8 liters) at times. This extra weight makes your full pack even heavier. Elevation gains and losses are dramatic. We may gain or lose over 4700' vertical in one day. In order to do this, you will need to be sufficiently hydrated. Plus, your feet must remain in good shape. Blisters will cripple you and make progress extremely slow and painful so be mindful of hot spots as they develop. Make sure to closely clip your toenails before undertaking this trip.



Cost

$TBD per person double occupancy. You will be responsible for transportation to and from Phoenix (PHX) as well as personal equipment, any restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 2 nights in a frontcountry campground (Mather and North Rim), 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. While tips are not required or expected, if your guides have served you well, please consider a gratuity so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Notes


Important! Water will be scarce during the hike. Be prepared to carry 4 liters (8 pounds) of water in your pack. But don't be discouraged since the corridor route usually has both reliable water sources as well as piped-in water.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Monday, May 12, 2025

Fly or drive into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)


We will pick you up and bring you to Guide Emeritus Deb's house. Your flight must arrive by 1PM in order to get to the park in a timely manner. If you cannot arrive early, please let us know and we may be able to make arrangments.


We will assemble at: Guide Deb's House, 12419 S Suki Ct Phoenix, AZ 85044


Make your own trail mix bar from our copious assortment of ingredients


Your spare bag(s) will be left at Guide Deb's house for safekeeping


At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: TBD, To Be Determined Site(s) TBD


Shuttling will take about 4 hours


Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)


Camp at TBD, To Be Determined Site(s) TBD



Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Board a National Park shuttle to the South Kaibab Trailhead


Start hiking at South Kaibab Trailhead, elevation 7260'


Hike 1.5 miles to Cedar Ridge, elevation 6120'


Hike 1.5 miles to Skeleton Point, elevation 5220'


Hike 1.4 miles to the Tip Off, elevation 4000'


Hike 2.6 miles to Bright Angel Campground, elevation 2480'


Camp at Bright Angel Campground, elevation 2480'


Miles today: 7.0 miles. Total to date: 7.0 miles


Possible Bailout: South Rim


Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Hike 0.4 miles to Phantom Ranch, elevation 2546'


Hike 5.2 miles to Ribbon Falls, elevation 3720'


Have lunch near Ribbon Falls. Watch your pack. The area has squirrels that will chew through it looking for trail mix, trail bars or any other food. After a flood in 2017 washed away the bridge, access to Ribbon Falls may be difficult so lunch might be on the trail.


Hike 1.6 miles to the Cottonwood Campground, elevation 4080'


Camp at Cottonwood Campground, elevation 4080'


Miles today: 7.2 miles. Total to date: 14.2 miles


Possible Bailout: North Rim one day away


Thursday, May 15, 2025

Hike 1.4 miles to the Pumphouse Ranger Station, elevation 4600', reliable water found here


Hike 0.7 miles to Roaring Springs, elevation 5220'


Hike 3.0 miles to the Supai Tunnel, elevation 6800'. There is a water faucet here, but it may not have been turned on yet.


Hike 1.7 miles to the North Kaibab Trailhead, elevation 8241'


Hike 1.0 miles to the North Rim Campground, elevation 8241'


Camp at North Rim Frontcountry Campground, elevation 8241' (Note: Temperatures at this elevation might reach freezing even in May)


There are bath houses with sinks and flush toilets at the North Rim Campground as well as water faucets.


Miles today: 7.8 miles. Total to date: 22.0 miles


Possible Bailout: North Rim


Friday, May 16, 2025

Option 1, Tri-Rim


Hike 1.0 miles to the North Kaibab Trailhead, elevation 8241'


Hike 1.7 miles to the Supai Tunnel, elevation 6800'


Hike 3.0 miles to Roaring Springs, elevation 5220'


Hike 0.7 miles to the Pumphouse Ranger Station, elevation 4600'


Hike 1.4 miles to the Cottonwood Campground, elevation 4080'


Camp at Cottonwood Campground, elevation 4080'


Miles today: 7.8 miles. Total to date: 29.8 miles


Possible Bailout: North Rim

 


Option 2, Rim to Rim


Take the 7:30AM Trans Canyon Shuttle to the South Rim, arriving at 11:30AM


Set up camp at Mather Campground, site(s) TBD


From camp, day-hike about 3.0 miles on the Rim Trail going by the Visitor Center, Mather Point, Yavapai Point and Grandeur Point before returning to Mather Campground


Miles Today: 3.0. Total to Date: 24.0


Possible Bailout: South Rim


Saturday, May 17, 2025

Option 1, Tri-Rim


Hike 1.6 miles to Ribbon Falls, elevation 3720'


Hike 5.2 miles to Phantom Ranch, elevation 2546'


Hike 0.4 miles to Bright Angel Campground, elevation 2480'


Hike 1.5 miles to River Resthouse, elevation 2480'


Hike 3.2 uphill miles to Havasupai Gardens Campground, elevation 3800'


Camp at Havasupai Gardens Campground, elevation 3800'


Miles today: 11.9 miles. Total to date: 41.7 miles


Possible Bailout: North Rim

 


Option 2, Rim to Rim


No water today. We must carry 8 liters each.


Take park shuttle to Grandview Point, elevation 7399'


Hike 2.9 downhill miles to Horseshoe Mesa, elevation 5250'


Hike about 1.0 round trip miles to explore Cave of the Domes, the only cave in the park that doesn't require a special permit / license to enter.


Camp at Horseshoe Mesa, zone BF5, site TBD, elevation 4900'.


Reliable water can be found at Page Spring / Miner's Spring (same thing) nearly a mile away from where we camp, if necessary


Miles today: 3.9 miles. Total to date: 27.9 miles


Possible Bailout: South Rim


Sunday, May 18, 2025

Option 1, Tri-Rim


Hike 4.9 steep uphill miles to the Bright Angel Trailhead, elevation 6860'


Miles today: 4.9 miles. Total to date: 46.6 miles


 


Option 2, Rim to Rim


Hike 3.0 grueling uphill miles to the Grandview Trailhead, elevation 7400'


Miles today: 3.0 miles. Total to date: 30.9 miles


Possible Bailout: Grandview Trailhead


 


Options 1 & 2


End of Hike


Shuttle to Flagstaff for Dinner and Awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip price). Suggestion: Lumberyard Brewing Company


Shuttle back to Phoenix. Pick up off-trail items / luggage at Guide Deb's House


Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined


Gather your off-trail items from storage


Dinner and awards ceremony at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)


Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)


This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Monday, May 19, 2025

Either take a free airport shuttle or we will drop you at the airport in the morning or we will provide a shared cab/uber for you.



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