Grand Canyon National Park – Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim 🏃

It all started one day when Mimi asked me (Tyler) what I wanted to do for my birthday? My reply was to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim in a day. So without knowing much about the trek and NO specific Grand Canyon training we jumped in the car and drove from Tucson, AZ  to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for the adventure.

Every time we do the Grand Canyon rim 2 rim hike or run we post photos on Facebook and share our adventure.  We get tons of questions on the logistics of doing rim to rim.

Hiking or running in the Grand Canyon never gets old. It is majestic… an experience and adventure everyone should set out to do in their lifetime. Words and pictures can only do so much in sharing the experience with others but actually doing the trek is something you will remember for life as an epic incredible adventure!

WE ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE YOU TO GO HIKE OR RUN THE GRAND CANYON!

The Grand Canyon is one of our favorite places to roam. It is impossible not to be in awe of the Grand Canyon and it never gets old. It is too perfect not to believe in God, who created this beauty.

Doing Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim in one day is not for the faint or the weary. This is one hard trek that you need to be prepared for.

In our video above we talk about what we recommend when preparing your pack.

It is a good idea to get an early start and plan on being out on the trail from 14 to 20 hours depending on your fitness level. We started down the Bright Angel Trail at 2 AM and timed getting to the bottom of the canyon and crossing the Colorado River as the sun was starting to rise.

Heading out for an ultra run requires planning and the proper clothes, equipment, and nutrition.

There is nothing worse than finding out you forgot something.

Having a checklist of your essential items is very helpful for setting yourself up for success when hitting the trail.

Below is a link to our essential ultra-running gear checklist. We print out and check off the items before heading out the door for each ultra-running adventure.

Having the proper gear is important when heading out on an adventure.

Below is a link to our favorite go-to gear we use on our adventures.

The Grand Canyon National Park or G.C.N.P, located in Arizona, is one of Earth’s most impressive natural wonders. It’s so large that you can see it from space. Such stunning views are one of the reasons to visit this majestic park. For example, the tallest, most profound, and most comprehensive canyon parts lie in this national park.

But, it’s not only all about the natural landscape beauty. You can enjoy so much more in this breathtakingly stunning national park. You were wondering what to do while being here? Go through this guide and make memories you’ll cherish forever!

This trek is from the South Rim, which has two trails to choose from the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kaibab Trail to the North Rim on the North Kaibab Trail.

The South Kaibab Trail for most of its 6.5-mile length the South Kaibab Trail follows the top of the ridge and has extensive views along the Grand Canyon in both directions, however, there is little shade. The trail descends 4,820 feet in total; there is drinking water at the start and at the river but not in between.

The other trail that descends from the South Rim is the Bright Angel Trail. The trail begins on the South Rim and descends to the Colorado River. Elevation change from rim to river is 4460 ft (1360 m), along a 7.8 mile (12.6 km) trail.

There are two bridges that go over the Colorado River. The black bridge is closer to the South Kaibab Trail and the Silver Bridge is the bridge that is closer to the Bright Angel Trail. Both will lead you to the North Kaibab Trail.

The North Kaibab Trail. Elevation from the Colorado River to the North rim is 5850 ft (1780 m), along a 14.2 mi (22.9 km) trail.

The rim-to-rim route from the South Rim to the North rim can be done over multiple days and camp in the campgrounds along the way or for more adventurous people it can be done in a day.

It is possible but challenging to hike rim to rim in one day. Plan as much as possible in advance. You must also ensure that you are physically fit and strong enough to take on this challenge.

First plan out the logistics; If you go from South Rim to North Rim, you will need someone to pick you up on the North Rim. It is a 207-mile drive from the South Rim to the North Rim that takes almost 4 hours

Hiking or running rim-to-rim on the South rim is very doable. It is 17.1 miles from South Kaibab across the Colorado River over to the Bright Angel Trail and to the top of the South rim.

Hiking or running from South Kaibab to Bright Angel could take anywhere between 5 and 12 hours. It really depends on your hiking ability.

An easier way to do the rim-to-rim-to rim is to do it over multiple days. There is lodging at the North Rim and at Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is a lodge inside Grand Canyon National Park. It sits at the bottom of Grand Canyon, on the east side of Bright Angel Creek, a little over half a mile north of the Colorado River.

There are many ways this can be done.

1. South Rim to Phantom stay a night, then hike to North rim stay a night at the North rim hike back to Phantom the next day and stay a second night and hike out to the South Rim on the third day. This is very doable with some fitness.
2. South Rim to North Rim stay at the lodge on the North Rim. Hike to Phantom Ranch stay a night there and then hike out to South Rim the next day.
3. South Rim to North Rim to Phantom stay the night then hike out the next day.

This is a hike or run for the fit! It takes some serious training for many months to be ready for the steep climbing and descending into the canyon.

Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim is a 47- mile trek with over 17,000 feet of climbing. It can take anywhere from 6 hours to over 24 hours to complete.

The best route to take is The South Kaibab Trail over the black bridge and the Colorado River to the North Kaibab Trail to the North Rim. Then come back down the North Kaibab Trail to the Silver Bridge over the Colorado River to the Bright Angel Trail to the top of the South Rim.

NOTE: The map below total mileage and elevation gain is not 100% accurate. We did the opposite of what is explained above as to the best route. We went down the Bright Angel Trail and up the South Kaibab Trail due to the logistics of not being able to get to the trailhead of South Kaibab at 2 AM in the morning.

The two rims at the Grand Canyon National Park have varying degrees of difficulty, the time it takes to hike, scenery, and views.

The South Rim offers more accessible hikes and more scenery. Its trails are also steeper than the North Rim trails.

If you are visiting in winter, snow can be an issue on the North Rim. The South Rim faces west while the North Rim faces east, so you can choose which direction to hike depending on how much sun exposure you want while hiking.