How Difficult Is Rim To Rim Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Distance: 23.5 miles.
  2. Difficulty: Extremely strenuous.
  3. Elevation Change: 5761 feet elevation loss (North Kaibab trailhead to Bright Angel Campground) and 4380 feet elevation gain (Bright Angel Campground to the South Rim on the Bright Angel Trail).

How long does it take to hike Rim to Rim?

Many will ask us the time it will take to complete a Rim to Rim hike, especially hikers that plan on taking it on in one day. The time varies based on one’s overall conditioning, route taken, food and water breaks, weather, etc. but on average a Rim to Rim hike of the Grand Canyon takes about

12-15 hours

to complete.

How long does it take to run the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim?

Although the Fastest-Known-Time for a rim-to-rim-to-rim is a ridiculous 5 hours and 55 minutes, most runners will take anywhere from

10-16 hours

to run the route, some even more.

Can you hike rim to rim a day?

All the miles will be more enjoyable.

Hiking more than that is totally doable but not necessarily the most fun or painless.

Hiking Rim to Rim in one day means hiking at least 21 miles

. If the pain hasn’t already kicked in by mile 15, it’s very likely it will at mile 16.

Do I need a permit to hike the Grand Canyon?

PERMIT QUESTIONS:


A permit is not required for day hiking or day horseback riding in the canyon

.

Which is better the North Rim or South Rim?

But those who have seen the canyon from both sides tend to agree that the

North Rim is the nicer side of the Grand Canyon

, in several senses of the word – calmer, quieter, and reminiscent of what the National Parks may have been like in years past.

How much does it cost to stay at Phantom Ranch?

Room Type / Service Rate
Dorm, per person


$62
Group Cabin, Flat Rate $332 Breakfast, per person $26.37 Sack Lunch, per person $21.88

What is the best month to hike the Grand Canyon?


Spring, fall and winter

are the best times for hiking in the Canyon, and winter is a favorite for guides because you can escape the crowds and have it mostly to yourself.

How hard is rim to rim to rim?

It is

a tough run, with a little bit of everything as obstacles

: some rocky sections of trail, some exposure, two BIG hills, heat, cold, altitude (7000 feet at the south rim, 2600 feet at the bottom, 8000 feet at the north rim). You will definitely feel like you’ve accomplished something when you finish.

How much does it cost to hike rim to rim Grand Canyon?

When you emerge at the South Rim, hitch a ride back to your vehicle on the Trans-Canyon Shuttle. It departs from the Bright Angel Lodge at 8am and 1:30pm every day mid-May to mid-October. The long and bumpy ride costs

$90 per person

.

Why is it called Bright Angel Trail?

Photo by Greg Rasanen Bright Angel Trail:

Named for the fault/canyon it follows, which stretches across to the north rim

. It was named by Powell on his first expedition down the Colorado.

Which trail is better Bright Angel or South Kaibab?


The Bright Angel Trail is longer than the South Kaibab Trail

. But with less elevation gain over a longer distance, it is slightly less strenuous than the South Kaibab Trail. There are also restrooms and access to water along the way, so many people choose to hike up the Bright Angel Trail for these reasons.

Can you do Bright Angel Trail a day?

1)

It’s do-able, but is REALLY hard

. My girlfriend and I are in our early thirties and fit, but not super fit. We started at 5:30am, went down the South Kaibab trail (took 4 hours), spent maybe 1 hour at Phantom Ranch (where you can get lemonade, snacks, etc.)

Can you stay overnight at the bottom of the Grand Canyon?

Staying Overnight

Phantom Ranch, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, is a popular destination for both hikers and mule riders.

Overnight hiker dormitories and cabins can be reserved and meals are available for purchase

. Advance reservations for meals and lodging at Phantom Ranch are required.

Will your phone work in the Grand Canyon?


Your cellphone will work on your Grand Canyon river trip

… as a camera. And as a video camera. As a music player. It will work as a dandy little coaster for your cocktail, if you remember to bring a waterproof case for it.

Can you sleep in your car in Grand Canyon?


Not allowed

. Sleeping in your car constitutes “camping” and the only camping allowed at the South Rim is in the developed campgrounds, i.e. Mather and Desert View. There are also National Forest campgrounds outside of the park. Dispersed camping is also permitted in the Kaibab National Forest.

Which rim is closest to Las Vegas?

The

West Rim

is the closest rim to Las Vegas. It is located about 130 miles from the heart of Las Vegas. On average, the drive takes approximately two and a half hours. Both the North Rim and South Rim (the two rims of Grand Canyon National Park) are located over 270 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

Is the Skywalk worth it?

Worth it?

Absolutely

. However, to make a visit to the South Rim worthwhile, you need to plan to spend at least a few hours here. It can be done as a day trip from Las Vegas, but you will spend most of the day in your car (it takes 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon).

Is the North Rim worth visiting?


The North Rim Offers Complete Tranquility

While it’s completely possible to soul-search and contemplate existence while gazing over the South Rim, you’ll likely have to do so with a backdrop of other visitors. The North Rim is less crowded, giving you more opportunities to stare out at the canyon in complete solitude.

How many mules have fallen off the Grand Canyon?


Only one person has ever died while riding a mule up or down the canyon

. He was a mule train employee crushed by one of the animals in a fall. (A mule nearly knocked me off a several-hundred-foot cliff during a 1984 hike.

Why are mules used in the Grand Canyon?

3 answers. Mules are

more sure footed and don’t spook easily

. over a year ago. Also, you CAN ride horses on trails above the rim.

How long does it take to ride a donkey down the Grand Canyon?

The ride down is about

101⁄2 miles (51⁄2 hours)

and back up is about 7.3 miles (41⁄2 hours). We provide a small plastic bag for essential toiletries, extra underclothing, swimsuit, etc. Duffle Service is available for additional personal items. This service must be reserved and purchased in advance.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.