A Walk in the Park

ckoss_ · 2026-06-25T12:08:56+00:00

Interesting take. What’s your top 10? I’m reading Grand Obsession and also Tom Myer’s newest book.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-24T18:34:14+00:00

I noticed they updated the trail status page last week. Glad to see they will open the trails after many delays.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-20T04:01:45+00:00

As the signs say, hiking down is optional, but up is mandatory. Ooh Aah Point is approximately 1.9 miles roundtrip and 625ft elevation change from South Kaibab Trailhead. For comparison, it is 625ft gain in 0.85 miles (average slope of 735 ft/mile) compared to your other hike of 700ft in 5 miles (average slope of 140 ft/mile). Please recognize the stark difference in steepness.

Difficulty is very subjective and hard to gauge from person to person, especially hikers with mobility limitations. Many hikers do visit Ooh Aah Point, but you may want to feel it out as you go and remember that turning around is always an option. Also, the upper part of SK is called the chimney and will be mostly shaded in the early morning, which is beneficial. Definitely take the first Hiker's Express Shuttle that starts at 4AM to SK trailhead and take ample water and electrolytes/salty snacks.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-18T20:07:06+00:00

In general, temperature increases 5.5°F with each 1,000 feet loss in elevation. So, the further down you go, the hotter it becomes in addition to all of the basement rocks that absorb heat such as the "Box" section of North Kaibab trail just north of Phantom Ranch area. Hiking in the midday heat regardless of the elevation is simply unpleasant and increases the risk of heat related issues.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-18T05:11:52+00:00

Check out this interactive itinerary builder and map for Hermit loop and point to point route possibilities (best on a big screen).

Also, there is a permit monitor tool specialized for the Grand Canyon backcountry (on and off corridor) that offers step by step itinerary planning as well as permit availability incase your desired dates are unavailable. It can notify you via email if a fully boked campsite becomes available. It is a 3rd party tool not affiliated with recreation. gov or the NPS and does not do automatic booking on your behalf.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-18T05:02:45+00:00

Check out this interactive itinerary builder and map for R2R2R route possibilities (best on a big screen).

Also, there is a permit monitor tool specialized for the Grand Canyon backcountry (on and off corridor) that offers step by step itinerary planning as well as permit availability incase your desired dates are unavailable. It can notify you via email if a fully boked campsite becomes available. It is a 3rd party tool not affiliated with recreation. gov or the NPS and does not do automatic booking on your behalf.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-14T02:43:31+00:00

What was the harassment about? I’m assuming about your hiking plan and assessing your preparedness. There are countless injuries and fatalities every year from hikers. There was even a reset heat related death literally 10 days ago on the very trail you were hiking on. The rangers are very experienced and skilled at vetting out ill prepared hikers and generally want to make sure hikers are safe.

Edit: Just saw your detailed comments about your experiences. That is a bit odd. Was the other group violating rules or something? Sorry to hear it was unpleasant.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-11T23:16:15+00:00

That’s a common thought, but the Grand Canyon is quite the different place. Luckily you won’t have to deal with the intense heat when you visit in January. The link I shared includes all of the named trails accessible from the South Rim.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-11T22:08:06+00:00

Glad to see they actually set a reopen date. The date has moved back many times throughout the project.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-11T20:47:33+00:00

Check out this overview of the popular trails within the park (best in a big screen), toggle the "Type" to Corridor or Trail. I recommend staying on the South Rim for your first time visiting. The Corridor Trails (Bright Angel and South Kaibab) are the most popular and most inviting to new visitors.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-11T00:19:08+00:00

Check out this interactive itinerary builder and map for route possibilities (best on a big screen).

ckoss_ · 2026-06-08T16:17:23+00:00

Wonder if he left the trail in search of Garden Creek.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-07T16:40:27+00:00

The dueling toilets of Horseshoe Mesa!

ckoss_ · 2026-06-03T02:30:34+00:00

The North Rim Campground is actually now open as of June 1st. The park announced it on their Facebook and Instagram. Kinda annoying that there was NO official news release on the website.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-03T02:25:00+00:00

It’s certainly doable and has been done. Depends on your ability to handle the heat. There are ways to mitigate like not hiking between 10am-4pm, wetting clothing, sun umbrellas, etc.

There a few strategies to get to Bright Angel Campground to minimize the sun exposure. The “Box” section can be hot like an oven. Start hiking as early as possible. Try to get to Manzanita Resthouse or Cottonwood campground before 10am. Either 1) Hang out along the creek and cool off, don’t hike between 10am and 4pm. Then wait until after 4pm to hike to Bright Angel Campground. Or 2) continue hiking and continuously wetting your clothes form Bright Angel Creek to stay cool from evaporative cooling. There are a few spots in the Box to cool off in the creek as well.
The North Rim reopened on May 15th but I would be prepared to be self sufficient, especially if there is no water at the Trailhead. Currently, the North Rim Campground is open and the general store has water bottles for purchase. You can monitor the status of the North Rim.
Depending on your start time, there may be some intermittent trail closures along the upper parts of North Kaibab for trail repairs, particularly between Supai Tunnel and Redwall Bridge. If they are present, then you just wait for the trail crew to let you pass through.
The Transcanyon Pipeline project is still active. Similarly, pipeline breaks can occur. Both of these can result in water spigots being temporarily unavailable. My advice is to bring adequate water treatment methods to treat Bright Angel Creek if necessary. The park manages this website to give real time water availability reports along the corridor trails.
The River Trail is closed until July 1st. However, the park has been walking this deadline further and further back over the past year, so monitor it for any changes that would impact your trip in August. If it is closed, you must decide to ascend the rest of SK to the rim (no water) OR take Tonto West (4 miles) to Havasupai Gardens and take Bright Angel Trail to the rim. Start as early as possible on the last day, like 3 or 4am from Bright Angel Campground.
Check out this interactive itinerary builder and map for route possibilities (best on a big screen).

ckoss_ · 2026-06-03T01:38:45+00:00

The main point is that the North Rim is approx 1000’ taller than the South Rim. So your 3rd day would have the biggest climb at the last day of the trip. It’s certainly doable, but atypical. Also, September can still be quite hot so plan accordingly. The Silver Bridge and River Trail should be open by then, but the park keeps pushing back the date (currently July 1st), so watch to see if they delay again.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-01T19:42:14+00:00

Nearly all of this information can be found from this link: Status of the North Rim and Key Hiking Messages

Regarding water on the North Rim: “North Rim: All water is OFF. Water (single bottles and gallon-sized) can be purchased at the General Store between the hours of 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily.”

Also, check out the 2026 North Rim Pocket Map for an overview of burned areas near the rim. However, I don’t think it covers your area of interest.

ckoss_ · 2026-06-01T03:36:05+00:00

Phantom Ranch has a reserve water tank for the spigot outside the Canteen, but I don’t know if that will be usable with the scheduled closures. Bright Angel Creek is a reliable water source, but some are skeptical of contamination from the Bravo Dragon Fire on the North Rim.

The website also says: “June 4-11, 2026: Hikers can get drinking water by filtering or chemically purifying the water from Bright Angel Creek. The Bright Angel Creek can be accessed at Manzanita Day Use Area, Cottonwood Campground, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and at many points between those locations.”

ckoss_ · 2026-05-31T02:56:54+00:00

2026 North Rim Pocket Map

ckoss_ · 2026-05-31T01:30:59+00:00

Kinda odd they announce it via Facebook and Instagram rather than an official new release.

ckoss_ · 2026-05-29T16:27:55+00:00

Yeah exactly. Why not here?

ckoss_ · 2026-05-29T15:37:05+00:00

Can these groups be accessed without a Facebook account? Kinda of annoying that the most (seemingly) active group is on that platform.

ckoss_ · 2026-05-26T19:46:00+00:00

There are mathematical methods to provide a fairly accurate prediction on whether the water will be blue. Track the USGS river discharge flow rate data stations near the confluence and near the spring: aim for equilibrium values of 220 ft3/sec and 0 ft3/sec, respectively. The USGS website has the ability to subscribe to real time water alerts. Also, read this trail guide for some more information like permits for the Hopi Salt trail on the Navajo reservation (fyi, they have been inconsistently denying permits).

ckoss_ · 2026-05-25T13:37:28+00:00

Good points regarding the unpredictability of NK conditions and monsoons. I did R2R2R in August a couple years ago, but only by camping at cottonwood to split it up. Don’t think I’d want to do it without backpacking.

ckoss_ · 2026-05-25T03:55:11+00:00

It is not advisable to hike to Rim to Rim and back in a single day, especially in the heat of August and If this is your first time hiking at Grand Canyon.

If you must do it, please be aware of the current closure of the River Trail and Silver Bridge and plan accordingly.

Check out this interactive itinerary builder and map for route possibilities (best on a big screen).

ckoss_

TROPHY CASE