Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim Hike

The idea of hiking from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is intriguing to many. The shear diversity of life between the two Rim's is enough to take up a lifetime of exploration. Our journey begins from the steps of the North Rim Lodge as we take an early morning shuttle to the North Kaibab Trailhead at over 8,200 feet above sea level. Forested trails soon lead us to Supai Tunnel, two miles below the North rim. Our trail descends past Roaring Springs and eventually to our first nights camp at Cottonwood Campground nearly seven miles below the North Rim. At 4,080 feet in elevation, our camp at Cottonwood can be much cooler than what we will experience the following night at Bright Angel Campground 1,500 feet below and over seven miles ahead. Finally, after two days covering over fourteen miles with roughly 5,800 feet of elevation loss, we arrive at Bright Angel Campground. The Colorado River is only a short walk from our camp along the banks of Bright Angel Creek at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. A well deserved Lemonade at the Phantom Ranch Cantina is a welcomed treat. Day three follows the Bright Angel trail across the Colorado River and up to the Tonto Plateau in the shortest mileage and elevation gain of the trip in roughly 4.5 miles with only about 1,300 feet of elevation gain. A late afternoon walk out to Plateau Point to catch a glimpse of the River below and perhaps a Condor or two, if we are lucky! The fourth and final day of our journey travels through the Red Wall Limestone and Coconino Sandstone as we top out on the Kaibab layer and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near Kolb Studio.