The Grand Canyon Project

ROUTE
Route Idea:  Begin at South Kaibab trailhead.  Run the South Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch.  From Phantom Ranch run the North Kaibab trail to the north rim.  Return from the north rim to Phantom Ranch on the North Kaibab Trail.  From Phantom Ranch take Bright Angel trail back to the south rim.  This route will allow a diverse experience through the canyon by seeing 3 different trails instead of two.  It will also allow for an easier return trip to the south rim as the elevation change of Bright Angel trail is less sever leading up to the south rim.

Estimated Time:
15 minute miles x 44.4 miles = 11.1 hours
1 hour rest each way at Bright Angel Campground = 2 hours
Rest at North Rim = 30 minutes
Unplanned rest = 1 hour
Total trip time = 14hours 36minutes


Section 1: South Kaibab Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground: 7.1 miles

Distance to Cedar Ridge: 1.5 miles

 

Cedar Ridge to Skeleton Point: 1.5 miles

  

Skeleton Point to Tonto Trail Junction: 1.4 miles

  

Trail Junction to The Tipoff: 0.2 miles

  

The Tipoff to Black Suspension Bridge: 2.1 miles

  

Black Suspension Bridge to Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch: 0.4 miles (year round water)

 

Section 2: Bright Angel Campground to North Kaibab Trailhead: 14 miles

Bright Angel Campground to Ribbon Falls: 5.3 miles

 

Ribbon Falls to Cottonwood Campground: 1.6 miles

Cottonwood Campground to Roaring Springs: 1.9 miles

Roaring Springs to Supai Tunnel: 3.3 miles

Supai Tunnel to North Kaibab Trailhead: 1.7 miles

Section 3: North Rim Trailhead To Bright Angel Campground: 14 miles


Section 4: Bright Angel Campground to Bright Angel Trailhead: 9.3 miles

Bright Angel Campground to Indian Gardens: 4.4 miles (year round water)

Indian Gardens to Three Mile Resthouse: 1.9 miles

3 Mile Resthouse to Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse: 1.5 miles

Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse to Bright Angel Trailhead: 1.5 miles

TOTAL TRIP LENGTH: 44.4 miles

South Kaibab Trail Information:
- http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/South_Kaibab_Trail.pdf
North Kaibab Trail Information:
- http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/North_Kaibab_Trail.pdf
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Kaibab_Trail
Bright Angel Trail Information:
- http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/Bright_Angel_Trail.pdf

Hiking North Rim to South Rim
- http://www.everytrail.com/guide/hiking-the-grand-canyon-rim-to-rim

HYDRATION
South Kaibab Trail - There is no water along the South Kaibab Trail.  Recommended amount to carry along the trail is 4L. Water is available year round at Bright Angel Campground.  However due to occasional pipeline breaks it is not guaranteed.  Must bring water purification methods as a backup.

North Kaibab Trail -  Potable water is available at the trailhead, Supai Tunnel, Roaring Springs, the Pumphouse Residence, Cottonwood Campground and Bright Angel Campground.  All except Bright Angel Campground are seasonal only and are turned off in the fall (exact dates vary; because each station's dates depend on temperatures, the rim and Supai Tunnel are turned off first).

Bright Angel Trail - During summer months there is potable drinking water at Bright Angel Campground, Indian Garden Campground, Three-Mile Resthouse, and Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse. From mid-October to early May, water is only available at Bright Angel Campground and Indian Garden.

Hydration Knowledge -  http://www.hammernutrition.com/knowledge/essential-knowledge/

CLIMATE 

Average Temperatures at the South Rim

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
High (F)	41	45	51	60	70	81	84	82	76	65	52	43
Low (F)	18	21	25	32	39	47	54	53	47	36	27	20
High (C)	5	7	10	15	21	27	29	28	24	18	11	6
Low (C)	-8	-6	-4	0	4	8	12	12	8	2	-3	-7

 

Average Temperatures in the Inner Canyon

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
High (F)	56	62	71	82	92	101	106	103	97	84	68	57
Low (F)	36	42	48	56	63	72	78	75	69	58	46	37
High (C)	13	17	22	28	33	38	41	39	36	29	20	14
Low (C)	2	6	9	13	17	22	26	24	21	14	8	2

Average Temperatures at the North Rim

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
High (F)	37	39	44	53	62	73	77	75	69	59	46	40
Low (F)	16	18	21	29	34	40	46	45	39	31	24	20
High (C)	3	4	7	12	17	23	25	24	21	15	8	4
Low (C)	-9	-8	-6	-2	1	4	8	7	4	-1	-4	-7

Fall

The summer heat gives way to a cooler but nonetheless pleasant fall period with average high temperatures gradually falling from the 60s (16-21°C) in September through the 50s (10-15°C) by November along the Rim, and from the 90s (32-37°C) in September to near 70 (21°C) by November along the river. Low temperatures will typically fall below freezing on the Rim, but still remain in the warm 50s and 60s (10-21°C) along the river. The summer rains typically diminish in mid September with a drier fall period the norm with fewer days of precipitation. However, late summer thunderstorms or early winter snow storms have been known to take place during this transition season, making for sudden changes to the weather.

Spring

By mid-April, winter weather usually begins to break, and although snow is not uncommon in May, warm spells become more frequent. The winter cold gives way to a warming and pleasant spring period with average high temperatures gradually rising from the 50s and 60s (10-21°C) in April through the 70s to 80s (21-32°C) by June along the Rim, and from the 80s (27-32°C) in April to near 105 (41°C) by June along the river. Low temperatures will typically fall below freezing on the Rim in April and May and warm into the 40s (4-9°C) by June, with low temperatures from the 50s (10-15°C) in April to the 70s (21-26°C) by June along the river. Spring is typically breezy to windy with winds occasionally gusting over 40 mph (18 m/s) and dry with little precipitation occurring in May and early June. Due to the very dry airmass typical of the late spring months, late season frosts and freezes are still a possibility, with sub freezing temperatures being recorded as late as July at the North Rim. Snowfall has been reported as late as the middle of June.

 http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm

FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgKRXc30qFk
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HFvFjf7Evw
- http://www.backpacker.com/videos/140
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-obYHKfHDo
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiPMdx11G7o
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CiyYPPnUck
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zINah7HwXE