Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

The first weekend of November I was able to start the first of many adventure trips with my friends. Michelle Rosenvall, who is in my ward decided to get a group of ladies together to hike/run the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim, just 24 miles. It's a 5 mile hike down (which we ran some of the way), 9 miles across the bottom, (this is where we ran the majority of the time), and then 10 miles up the South Rim. (This was actually her 7th time doing it...so she knew what we were in for...but had us very well prepared.) The weather can be tricky this time of year, because when it snows at the north rim, they close the gates. But we were lucky, no snow, just a mere 20 Degrees when we started out. But at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and when we were heading up the south rim...it was 80 Degrees. So you have to be prepared clothing and food wise. There are signs all over that say, "Do NOT attempt to cross the Grand Canyon in a 24 hour period....or Do NOT attempt to hike from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch in a 24 hour period." There was a lady that did the same hike a few years ago and died of dehydration. The reason why they don't want you to attempt this in one day, is because the rangers have to rescue about 250 people a year. And the majority of people try to hike it in July when it is 120 Degrees at the bottom of the canyon. Our goal was to complete it in under 10 hours which included an extended rest, 45 minutes, at Phantom Ranch. The first group finished in 9 hours. Amy Clark and I finished in 9 1/2 hours. And the rest of the group, which didn't run at all finished in about 12 hours. (Amy and I stuck together because the run down the north rim, really stared to make our knees ache.) It was fun though and I'm glad I did it, and hopefully will do it again. The hardest part was definately the last 2 miles. On the south rim there is what is called the Devils Staircase. At let me just say this....it is the Devils Staircase. It is switch-back after switch-back after switch-back. And log-step after log-step after log-step. But we made it and saw some beautiful scenery along the way, along with some deer and very friendly mountain goats.

When people would ask where we had come from and we told them the north rim at 6am...they were astounded. (But when we started out, we ran into a handful of runners who had started at the south rim and were almost to the north rim and then they were headed back to the south rim...that day...almost 50 miles. Now that's crazy!)

Our plan as the Ladies No. 1 Adventure Agency is to have an annual trip every year. So for next year, we've been thinking about hiking Kings Peak, or maybe a Narrows Hike, or possibly a 100+ bike ride in the St. George area. We'll see what we can come up with!


All bundled up and ready to head out.

Going down the North Rim...it was so beautiful, lots of fall colors to look at.

Amy Clark and I on the trail....our poles did help our knees a lot.

Taking a break at Phantom Ranch.

Annie, Michelle, Amy and Me....most of the 10th ward gals. (Martina and Angie were a few hours behind us.)

This guy is the manager of Phantom Ranch. He was really interesting to talk to. He lives down there full time, but hikes out at least once or twice a month...and yes he does hike out 10 miles and then back 10 miles.

Amy and I on the bridge over the Colorado River. Right before the descend up the South Rim.

Here is one of the many signs that say, "Do Not attempt this in one day." Haha...we showed them!

Amy and I made it in 9 1/2 hours! Yippee!

All of us gals looking at where we were the day before.

Pretty view.


I highlighted our trek from the North Rim, to where we started up the Devil's Staircase on the South Rim. The circle in the middle is Phantom Ranch, where we were able to rest up for the last 10 miles.