Didn't want to hijack 00's Big Bend thread but this is along those lines. Anyone ever done this?

Thinking about doing this either late spring or fall of next year.

Been doing some light research, I know it is roughly 45 miles roundtrip. Time run to avoid mule trains.

i've been looking to do it, but haven't been able to work it out yet. I've done a lot of research. If you are looking for company, let's talk.

for sure. I'll drop you an email shortly after the holidays

AggieOO, talk to Joe P. if you're interested in doing it. He's done it a few times and can give you some good pointers on what to expect and when to go. Time of the year is supposed to be the big one.

yep, spring or fall are really the only times that are do-able.

I've been to the bottom of the canyon three time, first time when I was 5, so I think you can probably handle rim to rim to rim without issue


I did the back country trails the third time with some pretty inexperienced people and no one died, so again, you shouldn't have too much difficulty.

Just don't take a selfie and walk off a cliff. Be sure to read the book "Death at the Grand Canyon" so you can avoid the obvious mistakes that other idiots have made (well that and its a really interesting read).

No selfies but am debating running with a GoPro.

There's a group of guys I run with from Dallas doing it the week after Easter. I'm on the fence - not a trail runner and I'll be in the meat of 70.3 training, but it's something I'd really like to do so maybe I'll just suck it up and do it anyway.

Backpacked the canyon a couple of years ago. Bright angel trail is a dirt highway with regular water available. We never hiked up the north rim. It is less traveled, but still the main trail. There are lots of other trails, but they are far smaller and probably longer. Some of them have some seriously high pucker factor. I don't think you need to worry about mule trains. They will be there at any time, and there will be poop on the trail. Just keep going. It sounds like fun, keep us updated.

[This message has been edited by endo ag (edited 1/1/2014 3:02p).]

This is also currently on my short list for my backpacking trip in 2014 (I try to do one per year). I've done minor research, but nothing too substantial. I've also heard the time of year is key, as it an get very hot or very cold, depending in when you go.

It's supposed to be amazing, though. I've never even been to the GC at all before, but everyone raves about the rim to rim trail who has done it.

Is this doable in a day? Since reading about this earlier this year it's something that has intrigued me. I am not sure there are the trails in the bcs area to prepare for this and I'm not sure how much traveling I would want to do for training.

It pretty much has to be done in a day.

Camping permits for the canyon open the first day of each month and sell out in minutes. You have to request the permit many months in advance. I didn't handle the permits when I went, so check the details for yourself.

Most websites I've seen say it takes 13-15 hrs for a mid pack runner

13-15 that really isn't too bad. This is on my list to try some day, mostly because I think it would be cool and also because I have never been.

I've been down to the bottom twice, once at age 7, once at age 24 or so. Both times in July when it was hot as hell. High altitude, dry climate, and heat make hydration a serious issue. I found this out the second time when I went to the bottom in poor shape and already dehydrated, and got myself a serious case of heat exhaustion on the way back up.

Other than that, it takes MAYBE 2 hours to get from the south rim to the bottom at a brisk hiking pace. It's going up that takes time. We hiked it in one day, so a fit trail runner could go down the north rim trail, up the bright angel trail on the south rim, then back up the north rim in a very long day, if that is what is being discussed. We're talking 30 miles or so round trip, assuming rim to rim to rim means that.

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 1/2/2014 1:32p).]

Backpacked from the South rim to the bottom with my brother in early May of '09. We went down the South Kaibab about 5 am and there was frost on the ground. We descended slowly as to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views on that ridge line trail. By the time we got to the bottom around noon, the temp was around 90 degrees. That's somewhere around a 60 degree temp swing. Coming back up the Bright Angel trail was much less scenic but significantly safer as the South Kaibab trail has numerous long vertical drops at the edge of the trail. I recall a guide giving us the story of the rim-to-rim (one way) record setter which was set back in the early '80s. He was carrying only a small glass to scoop water and his car key.

R2R2R is happening this weekend!

Going the South Kaibab to North Kaibab and then returning via the Bright Angel.

Awesome - good luck!

My coach and some teammates are out there this weekend as well. 8-10 people, mostly Rogue people. I'm sure you saw on the FB page for tejas trails last week or so though.

have fun.

Made it out alive

Story!

Will type something up in the next few weeks

Snowstorms today on the north rim.

It was snowing on the north rim during our run on Friday. Saturday as we were leaving it was snowing on the south rim too.