Tips for Hiking the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of America’s greatest treasures and most popular tourist destinations. Though beautiful, it can also be extremely dangerous if you’re unprepared. Extreme heat, poor directions and lack of preparation can all lead to a terrible ending when trying to hike the giant gulch.

Know the Weather

Dry desert conditions can contain some of the harshest weather on Earth. Summers at the Grand Canyon can easily reach more than 100 degrees. It’s important to know the weather so you know if it’s safe to hike. Sudden rainfalls can flood portions of the canyon in minutes. Go early to avoid the scorching temps in the middle of the day.

Bring Water

Water is essential to surviving a hike in the Grand Canyon. If you get off trail, which is easy as they’re not all well marked, you don’t want to run out of water before being rescued. Bring at least 2 liters in your pack, preferably more.

Eat Well

Staying energized is necessary for having a safe hike. Be sure to eat a healthy meal before embarking into the canyon. Take along a few energy bars to refuel if you plan on spending a few hours down there.

Choose the Right Trail

Inexperienced hikers should avoid the Bright Angel Trail as it’s probably the hardest in the canyon. If you’re out of shape or lack confidence in your abilities, take a guided hike with a ranger.

Watch the Time

The general rule of thumb for hiking the Grand Canyon is you should allow for 1/3 of your time to be spent hiking in and 2/3 hiking out. The ascent out of the canyon is strenuous and might require frequent breaks.