Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike - Recap, Tips, and Lessons Learned!

I know this is a long chatty video, but I hope it's helpful if you're planning your own Grand Canyon hike! I added chapter markers so you can easily find the info you're looking for. Thanks for watching 😁

When your hiking and having a hard go of it. Remember that your doing this for everyone who can't do this. I'm disabled and appreciate your videos. Thank you!

Nice report. You covered the most important parts. I’ve done the rim to rim 3 times in the last 8 years, twice north to south & once south to north. I always went in late September when it would hopefully be cooler, although it was 102 degrees at Phantom Ranch one time. After researching desert hiking, I chose to wear a cotton shirt which I would normally never do. I soaked the shirt each time I would cross a stream. The cotton holds water better than a quick dry synthetic and it helped keep me cool. Another thing to know is that you can purchase ice at Phantom Ranch. I added quite a bit of ice to my Camelbak there, so I had cool water for the hottest part of the hike.

I did this exact same hike on May 17, 2018 in my mid 50s. It's a nice hike, took me and three of my kids 11 hours. Ditch the backpack and at most, use a hydration pack, or better yet, use a fanny pack that allows you to carry two liters of water. Long sleeve sun top with sun hat and shorts, no need to change clothes at all during the hike unless you want to change your socks at some point. Drink water / electrolytes on a time basis every 15 minutes drinking some. If you are trained and have the leg strength, you will actually find it easier to go much faster on the downhill and not arrest your momentum all the time. Start ~20 minutes before sunrise and you will catch the sunrise at the Cocnino overlook and be able to walk the whole way down basically in the shade. It's an epic hike.

I’m 14 years old and yesterday I hiked rim 2 rim (south to north rim) in 14 hours and this video helped me prepare a lot.

As a teacher, I only have summer to enjoy the outdoors. I don't get the luxury of taking vacation in October when it's cooler in the Canyon. We did an overnight R2R on June 16th. It was 120° in the shade at Phantom. It was crazy hot. Two years later we did an R2R as a day hike in early June and we started at 3:30 am and went South to North. Much better that year as we avoided the heat of the day in The Box and had shade going up the NK. Still the most amazing thing we've ever done. I love the Grand Canyon so much!

Rim to rim in one day? Oh my god. I've never done it but I know enough to know that's pretty strenuous.

Did the same North to South hike day after you did on May 18. Started at 5:15 AM. Finished at 7:15pm. About 105 at Phantom, super hot in full sun from Phantom all the way along the river, up the corkscrew to Indian Garden. Was 100 degrees at Indian Garden. Like you, kept wetting my shirt to keep cool. Thankful that it was mostly shaded from Indian Garden to Bright Angel trailhead. I rested 3 full days at South Rim and was 90 percent recovered. Then hiked back to the North Rim (and my car) descending South Kaibab, climbing North Kaibab. It was 3 miles shorter and in the 90s, not 100s, so overall a somewhat easier day. Took me 10.5 hours. Going Rim 2 Rim is an achievement but for someone who has the time and the patience to get reservations, the best way to enjoy the canyon is to do in early Spring, or late Fall when it's cooler, staying at Phantom or Bright Angel campground, making it a two day hike. Rim to Rim is endurance. Rim to River, then River to Rim is real enjoyment. If you can find a way to do it, that's the best . Best views in my opinion are on the hikes down from the rims, not when hiking up. Your vid was great and all your tips helpful. Thanks and good luck with all your hikes.

Excellent video! Love your channel! Looking forward to seeing more of your upcoming adventures! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This reminds me so much of our experience backpacking a section of the Under the Rim trail at Bryce Canyon combined with our earlier hike that day (Queens Garden/Navajo) Trekking Poles were a savior, switchbacks were killer, electrolytes and a snack so important even for the shorter hikes, lots of water, and the moisture wicking SPF protection layer is a must! The next day fatigue/soreness was not nearly as bad as we thought it would be... but we were walking funny!! Jersey ladies hiking Utah for the first time! It's so important to look back and see what you could have done better and note what worked. Thank you for your video. We are newbies to the YouTube hiking sharing community, looking forward to sharing more of our adventures and following along on yours and others! ✌️

i.can't.WAIT. to do this! totally soaking in ALL of your tips! thank YOUUUUU for sharing all of it! yayayay!

Nice job!! Thanks for all the info! I'm planning on doing this hike next year.

Congratulations. That was a tough one. I appreciate the post hike update. Good job you two.

Great wrap up video and tips. Working up my stamina to attempt the hike this fall. Good job guys!!

Super helpful, thank you so much. I'm doing this for the first time in June and we will be hiking at night and into the morning to avoid the heat... you're info on gear was also super helpful, ordering some swag now. Happy Hiking!

Thank you for sharing your tips and experience!

Thanks for sharing guys 🤙💥

I’m really glad you guys started around 5am, most of the videos I watch are of people starting in the dark and when I eventually scratch this off of my list I want to see the entire hike as well and start around the time you did. Great info, thank you!!

Thanks for showing this hike. Hope you're fully recovered! 💛💙

Looks like a great day to get out for some fresh air. Glad this came up on recommended. Leaving a like to support your channel.