The Grand Canyon is unquestionably one of the greatest hiking destinations on earth. Located in central Arizona, it is a pleasant half-day drive from either Phoenix or Las Vegas. There is nothing that can truly prepare you for your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon; it beggars the imagination and defies the most eloquent description. Once you have been there you will want to return again and again. No one’s cup will be filled after just one visit.

…there is nothing that can truly prepare you for your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon…

Ninety percent of all visitors to the Grand Canyon never venture beyond the rim. This is a terrible shame because the Rim-River-Rim hike down the South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Campground and back up again via the Bright Angel Trail is a classic that in one or two days will provide a lifetime of rewards.

Once you have done Rim-River-Rim a full traverse of the canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim is a wonderful goal to consider. It is longer and a bit tougher but stupendous in every way.  For the ultimate in Grand Canyon hikes you can do the traverse from the South Rim to the North Rim or the truly extreme R2R2R double traverse.

Click on the links in the box to the right for my trip reports.  I hope that these materials inspire others to take on the challenge of hiking in the Grand Canyon.