You will find the following hiking tips to be very useful. Hiking in the Grand Canyon offers some of the most amazing scenery and many people feel that you haven't seen the Grand Canyon until you see it from the bottom up. However, it can be very dangerous and hazardous to your health.
250 or more people are taken out of the Grand Canyon every year because they weren't prepared to hike in the canyon. The Rangers respond to hikers in distress every day during the summer. Many of them have heat exhaustion which can kill you...
- Do not hike between 10 am and 4 PM in the summer!
- There are no easy trails in or out of the Grand Canyon.
- Don't hike alone.
- Know where you are going and how to get there.
- Know where water is available.
- Know what the weather conditions are prior to going on your hike.
- Stay on the trail and don't try to take short cuts on the switchbacks.
- Do not hike to the river and back in the same day It will seem easy on the way down but it is very strenuous on the way up. Most people report that it was much more difficult than they anticipated.
- Bring lots of water You need at least a gallon and drink often. Drink ½ to a quart of fluids every hour if you are hiking in the summer.
- Bring salty snacks and eat often. Eat twice as much as you normally would. A good hiking tip is to eat every time you drink.
- Bring a spray bottle with water.. This will be your personal air conditioning. Every time that you are near a water source, soak yourself down. This will keep you cool.
- Use common sense and follow the park rules regarding wild animals. The mules have the right-a-way should you encounter them on the trail.
- If the hike that you are planning requires you to camp overnight, make sure you have the proper equipment. For more information on backpacking and camping, go to an experienced hiker at
Fossil Backpacking Gear.
The Grand Canyon Field Institute offers guided tours by expert instructors. These tours are great if you're interested in geology, photography, history and archeology.
In the event of an emergency the park service provides ambulance service by helicopter. Be prepared to pay $2000 or more per flight. Why is it so expensive?? Because the helicopter has to deal with dangerous wind currents and rocky terrain. In other words they are risking their lives to help you.
Leave no trace
Leave no trace ethics asks that all hikers abide by the following nine principles while hiking in the Grand Canyon National Park...
All hikers should be prepared for the hike before them. Know the trail and know your limits.
Do not create your own campsites. Only use existing sites and do not alter them.
Stay on the trail as much as possible. No shortcuts.
Pack out everything you bring in the canyon. This includes trash and toilet paper.
Do not make any fires.
Please refrain from using loud noises unless absolutely needed.
Do not wash your dishes in a water source. Carry water 200 ft away and scatter the dish water.
Bury any solid human waste at least 200 ft away from any water source. It should be buried in a hole 4 to 6 in deep and wide.
Do not interfere with wildlife or items with cultural significance. Taking any items out of the Grand Canyon National Park is prohibited.
Don't spoil a wonderful trip by being careless... follow the hiking tips.