Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim Day 1

What is Rim to Rim to Rim, you ask?  Let me tell you.

The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike (“R2R2R”) is a jaw-droppingly beautiful 50ish mile trek, with an elevation change of 20,000 feet and potential temperature swings of 70 plus degrees.   I love this straight forward warning online which sums it up perfectly:  "Warning – regular hiking tips don’t cut it in the Grand Canyon.  You need to do special training and take exactly the right gear or you might die."  Here's a little visual that I found interesting: 17 miles into the first day of the South Rim to North Rim hike you will climb up the Empire State Building 3.46 times at an average grade of 30%.  You must prepare for the following on any single day in the Grand Canyon:  high altitude, heat, low humidity, dehydration, 10,000 feet elevation change, 70 degree temperature swings, unstable trail conditions, filtering creek water, prolonged endurance activity, exhaustion AND no quitting.

Nancy, Carolen, Ingrid, Carrie and I made our way out to Williams, AZ to stay the first night and then drive the remaining hour to the South Rim the next day.  The little town of Williams on Route 66 was a hoot and we had fun looking at all the quirky shops.





Just a week before, we had been looking at really scary pictures of people sliding down the trail on ice so we all had our spikes.  When we checked into the ranger station, we were overjoyed to learn that the recent warm temperatures had melted the ice.  Less dangerous and less to carry!

We began our walk at the South Kaibab Trailhead.  We were all in awe of what we were about to attempt.  Looking out across the canyon to the North Rim seemed to be an impossible feat.  We all looked at each other and said " We're gonna walk all the way over there.....AND BACK!???"














The temperature quickly heated up and we were pouring sweat in no time at all.  The downward grade was tough on the quads and my illiotibial band started acting up immediately.  We were just in awe of the scenery though.  Words are not adequate to describe the enormity or the grandiose beauty of this canyon.  Pictures don't do it justice.

There were quite a few day hikers out but once we got past the day hiker cut-off point, we only saw a few people.  When people would ask if we were going all the way to the bottom, it was cool to say "No, Rim to Rim to Rim!"

One guy said with all us girls there must be a mall at the bottom.  WHATEVER!  We saw him again when we were eating lunch and Carolen set him straight, regaling him with stories of all our badass adventures.  The look on his face indicated that he was appropriately impressed and ashamed of his mall comment.  Or at least I'd like to think so.





















The Grand Canyon has these composting toilets every few miles and it was nice to be able to poop in a civilized manner!



Heating up!





We passed a couple of kids who were way beyond the day hiker cut-off point, it was near 80 degrees, and they only had one little bottle of water between them to make it back up.  Seriously.  It's a long way back up!  Carolen was kind and gave them some water.  I thought they were pretty stupid.









Colorado River



We talked to one guy who was so darn excited we were doing R2R2R that he left me smiling for quite a while.  His energy and positive attitude were so refreshing.  He was carrying a little ukelele and I was hoping he was going all the way to the bottom so he could entertain us that evening but he had to turn around.  I hope he's able to do a rim hike one day.









We made down to Bright Angel campground at long last- legs toasted and hot.  As we walked into the area, there were a crap ton of people already camped down there.  In fact, we got one of the last available sites.  We were shocked at how many people were down there.  This is a popular place for hikers who are just spending one night and then hiking back out.  The sites were teeny tiny and we crammed in all our tents. You have to camp in the designated areas in the Grand Canyon. 

The creek flowed right through the campground so we were able to soak our feet.







There was a bathroom with soap at this campground as well as a picnic table for every site.  Quite a luxury compared to what we're used to.  We were able to clean up a bit and wash our faces and hands.  It was a super warm night and the star gazing was excellent. 

Awesome first day!