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It sounds crazy, but a a full week before the trip, find a pedicurist that is used to working with mens feet and get a full pedicure. You need it to be a full week, as sometimes afterwards for a couple of days your feet are tender.
I’ve hiked down to the river from the south rim and back a couple of times and gone out to Plateau Point and down to Roaring Springs. Trail conditions are always changeable, but the NPS does a pretty good job of keeping them in decent condition.
If you’re an experienced hiker in good shape, your trip will be tough but doable. But things happen all the time on the trail to even the most experienced hikers. Just be aware and be prepared and stay hydrated. It’s never a picnic going back up, but it’s worth if for the awesome adventure of going down into that canyon.
Have a great trip!
I must have been there on an off day; the steak was terrible. I hate saying that; the fact that they can provide a hot meal, a shower, a bed, and a phone down there is borderline heroic.
Down is optional, up is mandatory.
Just returned from the Rim to Rim. Descended the So. Rim on Monday, camped at Bright Angel, next night at Cottonwood and then up the No. Rim on Wed. Had to camp atop No. Rim as the shuttle back south departs only once a day at 6:45 AM. Excellent weather: mid 70’s atop So. Rim, mid 90’s below and 40’s atop No. Rim.
Personally, I think the Canyon is more impressive from within. Hell of a climb up the north, but with a steady pace and lots of water it wasn’t all that bad. We left Cottonwood at 6:00 AM and with a couple short stops we arrived topside a few minutes before noon.
For me, the only problem was toes. I’ve got two nails (one on each foot) very close to being separated. Something less than pleasant. At 64, and never having backpacked, I thought I did pretty good, but I really gotta hand it to the two guys who are 68.
Highly recommend.
Nice to hear you’re back, safe and sound.
The first few miles north from Phantom Ranch are interesting, aren’t they? The walls are so close it’s a bit claustrophobic. I could almost forget where I was.
Which trail from the South Rim did you take?
And how are you feeling? I could barely walk for about a week.
Took So. Kaibob down. Due to an oversight on my part I had a tough time the last mile or so. When we departed (at 2:00 PM) the only food I had consumed was some McDonald’s oatmeal. Big mistake. I was totally spent, borderline ill, couldn’t even eat. However after rest and eating the next morning, I was fine.
The most interesting trails, in my opinion, were cliffs about halfway up the No. Kaibob. If you fell I don’t think they’d ever find you. Out of Pantom we did take the off-trail hike to Ribbon Falls. Like everything else, it was beautiful.
We all felt pretty good, albeit tired. If there was one area everyone knew received a workout, it was our calves. They were sore from the 1st night until about 36 hours afterward.
Met several interesting people, including a retired No. Ariz. Univ. professor who was on his 8th Rim to Rim to Rim in the last 30 days. Guy was a stud, even at his age.
That’s the same trail I took. It must be the heat once you get down there; that last series of switchbacks in the inner gorge kicked my ass, too. I had to stop about a hundred yards before the bridge and threw up. After the bridge I sat down in the stream that feeds the river. At the water station I was alternating between drinking and pouring over my head. Barely made dinner at the ranch.
I missed the trail to Ribbon Falls, but it may be just as well. I did from the ranch to the North Rim in one day. From the last tunnel to the top was by flashlight. If I had to do it again, I’d take at least three days; although I didn’t have to carry a tent or sleeping bag.
Rim-to-rim-to-rim just shouldn’t be humanly possible.
Anyway, I know how I felt after completing it; so I tell you with complete sincerity, congratulations.