Think spring and fall to hike smart in Grand Canyon. Summer temperatures deep within the canyon often exceed 100 F (38 C). This view of the North Kaibab Trail down Roaring Springs Canyon was taken in August when by 8am the trail below was already exposed to sun. I wouldn’t normally hike the inner canyon this time of year but was headed first to Cottonwood Camp for the night, only 7 miles down, and then on to Phantom Ranch in the early morning to begin an experience of a lifetime rafting the Colorado River.
The North Kaibab Trail is 14 miles to the river with a change of about 6,000 feet (1828 meters) in elevation so begins in a forest and descends into desert getting warmer by about 5 F (15 C) every 1000 feet (304 meters).
Summer hiking in Grand Canyon requires early morning and late afternoon travel with at least three liters of water for each hiker. Keep hydrated and eat plenty of salty snacks. Stay in the shade and/or near water between 11am and 4pm. Know your limits because this is a very challenging hike.
For more information about hiking the inner canyon go to the Grand Canyon National Park website. And have a great hike!
Definitely not a summer thing for me. Going down would be tough, going back up would be way past brutal.
Oh so right.
I can only imagine this hike in my dreams and through your photos and commentary! Thanks for the trip!
You’re welcome.
I really wanted to do the North Rim to South Rim hike a couple years ago; we were there the first weekend the north rim opened and figured it would be perfect weather. Unfortunately, I woke up a little under the weather (altitude?) and knowing it was going to be over 105 in the canyon, started having second thoughts. I agreed with my husband to go down to the Supai tunnel to see how it went. I didn’t feel much better and my body didn’t want to take anything in…not good for 105 temperatures. So, we turned around…me in tears.
The story gets better. We went on to Kanab and won lottery tickets to hike The Wave – something I never thought would happen.
And even better… This January, we got some cheap Southwest tickets to Phoenix and were planning on visiting Petrified Forest NP. I started calling the Phantom Ranch reservation line. Some days there were woman dorm openings, but nothing for my husband. And then one day it happened – both of us had dorm spaces! It was a mild January with little to no snow and only a hint of ice less than a 1/4 mile on Bright Angel – which was easy to handle going up. South Kaibab had no ice at all. It was about 40/50 degrees at the top, and 65ish at the bottom. The hike of a lifetime – I loved every minute of it.
After all this, I know my limits and not to try it in the summer. My skin is too fair and I don’t do well in extreme heat. But, I still do one day want to do North to South!
You made the right decision both times on the canyon hikes and will get a chance at rim-to-rim someday. Besides, the wave is awesome.
Lovely photo!
I don’t think I would want to have to climb out of there in the middle of summer
Or down either Jonker.
I think this hike would equate the Inka Trail of the United States because it is so intense. Each year several people die on the trails which is tragic…..but they were doing something that they loved:) My hiking days down to the bottom of the Canyon are over so I’ll just enjoy hearing about them from the ones that do it. I saw a part of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire and thought about all the amazing views these people see. Incredible stuff.
I agree with you, except that’s even more elevation and humidity. I’m done hiking in the canyon but sure glad I did it when I still could.
Oh and ditto on the heat.
That ship has sailed for us … Years ago we hiked for hours in late spring in Death Valley and survived, plus trails in many of the SW Parks including yours. Now, heat and steepness both would preclude these. So beautiful… thank you for sharing .. We will hike them vicariously through you!
I get that and am glad I hiked the canyon when I did. There’s still a lot more moderate trails that we can follow.