Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hiking

An Epic Inn-to-Inn Hiking Adventure into One of the World's Greatest Natural Wonders

Rim to Rim

Experience feelings of humility, tranquility, triumph and awe on this rim-to-rim journey through America's top natural attraction. Theodore Roosevelt called the Grand Canyon "the one great sight which every American should see"…and we couldn't agree more. No other place captures the spirit and fascination of the American West more than this magnificent canyon. And there is no better way to experience it than on foot, at a pace that invites exploration and allows your senses to awaken to the sights, sounds and smells of nature. So join us for a six-day glimpse into the splendours and diversity of the Grand Canyon as we trek from the North Rim to the South, crossing the powerful Colorado River en route.

Rim to Rim

These special departures feature the full grandeur of the Canyon as we hike from its North to South Rim, crossing the mighty Colorado River en route. Stimulate your senses and revel in the Canyon's mystery as we enjoy the rim vistas and explore its incredible depths. Beginning with hauntingly beautiful Antelope Canyon, this is the trip of a lifetime that few will experience.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1. Antelope Canyon

Our group assembles at 8:00 a.m. at the Little America in Flagstaff, Arizona. Following a shuttle through Coconino National Forest and the Navajo Indian Reservation, we explore mysterious and hauntingly beautiful Antelope Canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon's sculpted walls twist and turn, glowing in unbelievable shades of red, orange, and yellow as the sun passes overhead. This is a long and deep slot of mesmerizing beauty and a must for amateur and professional photographers alike. This slot stimulates your sense of adventure as you climb down into a crevice in the floor of a dry wash, where a series of ladders take you to the bottom of the canyon and back out again. Following lunch and a shuttle that crosses the bridge over Marble Canyon, skirts the Vermilion Cliffs and traverses Kaibab National Forest, we arrive at the North Rim or “other side” of the Grand Canyon--visited by only 10% of all Grand Canyon visitors. Time is available late this afternoon for your first breathtaking view of the canyon's expanse. Nestled in the pines, the cabins of the Grand Canyon Lodge are home for the next two evenings. Built in 1937, the lodge's rustic construction of limestone walls and timbered ceilings complements the North Rim's lush beauty. Offering peace and comfort, dining with a western flair and a stunning view of the canyon, the lodge is a Registered National Historic Landmark.

• Scenic shuttle to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon via Page, Arizona [five hours, broken up by a hike at the halfway point] • Lower Antelope Canyon hikes [¼ mile and one hour]

Day 2. Widforss Trail

Today we hike the Widforss Trail, arguably the finest plateau-top trail in the Park. This classic trail is named in honor of Gunnar M. Widforss, the “Painter of the National Parks” who created vivid watercolors of his favorite national park in the 1920s and 1930s. Hugging the edge of the Transept, a 4,000-foot-deep tributary of Bright Angel Canyon, the trail offers views of BrightAngel Point, Brahma and Zoroaster Temples, the Coconino Plateau and the San Francisco Peaks far to the south. The trail winds through meadows of lupines and forest of blue and Engelmann spruce, white fir, quaking aspen, Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak en route to Widforss Point and perhaps the finest view of the Grand Canyon from the North Rim. After lunch at trail's end, we retrace our path and then rest this afternoon for tomorrow's trek into the canyon depths. • Widforss Point Trail [10 miles round trip; mostly level with a total of 200 feet of elevation loss, then gain on the return]

Day 3. North Kaibab Trail
Carrying a daypack with lots of water, a sack lunch and a change of clothes, we begin our 5,700-foot descent into the canyon on the North Kaibab Trail. All of the life zones present in the Grand Canyon are experienced in this single day. From the trailhead on the Kaibab Plateau, switchbacks through breaks in the sheer cliffs of Coconino sandstone lead us into the void of Roaring Springs Canyon. Blasted in the 1930s the Supai Tunnel takes us down through the Esplanade to the top of the Redwall limestone formation, where a bridge spans the rocky gorge. The Redwall traverse is spectacular, descending to a rocky notch just below the spire of the “Needle”. We soon reach a green oasis below Roaring Springs, water source for both rims of the Canyon, and the pumphouse which lifts the water nearly 3,600 feet to the North Rim. Quite a sight to behold, the springs literally “roar” as the massive discharge spews from the base of the Redwall. The descent becomes more gradual after Roaring Springs as we pass through the Tapeats Narrows to Cottonwood Camp. Below the camp a spur trail tempts us to Ribbon Falls, plunging 100 feet and splashing on a moss-covered travertine cone. The cool spray of the fallsnurtures the water-loving hanging gardens of maidenhair fern, golden columbine and scarlet monkeyflower. Finally we drop into The Box, a narrow, twisting gorge, hemmed in by dark, convoluted cliffs of schist that grow ever higher. Cottonwoods and mesquite appear as the canyon opens again onto the oasis of Phantom Ranch. Tucked beside Bright Angel Creek just above its confluence with the mighty Colorado River, Phantom Ranch is the sole lodging facility below the canyon rim and can only be reached by mule, by foot, or by rafting the Colorado River. Completed in 1922, the ranch consists of rustic cabins and a main lodge built of wood and native stone that do not intrude on the natural beauty and solitude of the setting. We conclude our gratifying day with a hearty dinner and a twilight chat with our fellow explorers as dusk slowly turns to nightfall.

• North Kaibab Trail [14.4 miles; 5,700 feet of elevation loss]

Day 4. Today is free to relax, recuperate and recharge for tomorrow's climb back out of the canyon. The Colorado River is just a short stroll down Bright Angel Creek from the ranch. Wave and cheer on the rafters as they float the rapids. Take a midday break from the sun and savor an iced tea or a cold beer at the main lodge for one of life's simple pleasures. For the intrepid who just didn't get enough hiking yesterday, the Clear Creek Trail is an option for today. Leaving from Phantom Ranch, the trail climbs rather steeply to the Tonto Plateau and more exquisite views. Late in the day, walking the River Trail loop is a great opportunity to catch the setting sun along the Colorado River.

• Free day at Phantom Ranch; optional hikes on the Clear Creek Trail (2.8 miles, 800 feet of elevation gain/loss) and the River Trail (2.3 miles, 250 feet of elevation gain/loss)

Day 5. Bright Angel Trail
We say goodbye to Phantom Ranch early this morning and begin our challenging climb out of the Canyon. After crossing the Colorado River on the Silver Bridge we follow the River Trail beneath the 1,000-foot vertical walls of the inner gorge. The switchbacks up Devils Corkscrew and long traverse through the Vishnu schist provide a dramatic counterpoint to the lush habitats above and below.We ascend through the Tapeats Narrows to Indian Gardens, the halfway point in distance but only a third of the way up in elevation. This verdant oasis was farmed seasonally by the Anasazi and, more recently, by the Havasupai Indians. The cottonwoods planted here in the early 1900s by Ralph Cameron now provide welcome shade to heat-weary hikers. The climb begins in earnest after Indian Gardens with the tight switchbacks of Jacobs Ladder up through the Redwall, one of the most prominent layers in the Canyon. An array of buttes and towers, including the Battleship, Sumner Butte, Cheops Pyramid, and Brahma Temple, punctuate the distance as we continue our ascent. Pinyon and juniper woodlands greet us and two tunnels cut through the Kaibab limestone as we near the rim. The El Tovar Hotel, our welcome destination, lies just a few short footsteps from the Bright Angel trailhead. Opening its doors in 1905, this grand hotel has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein and Western author Zane Grey. Perched on the canyon rim, the El Tovar retains its elegant charm and is the premier lodge at the Grand Canyon. Tonight we celebrate our accomplishments of the past few days and treat ourselves to a gourmet dinner at the El Tovar's acclaimed five-star restaurant.

• Bright Angel Trail [9.6 miles; 4,400 feet of elevation gain]

Day 6. Rim Trail, Return to Flagstaff
Today is free for a morning latte and some well-deserved relaxation. Sleep in or enjoy the glow of an early morning sunrise. As the day warms look for California condors riding the thermals in the skies above our lodge. Or you can join us for that one final hike…a flat (really!) jaunt along the Rim Trail. The trail hugs the 3,000-foot precipice known as The Abyss and loops out to Mohave and Hopi Points for 45-mile views up and down the Canyon. We wind our way east through pinyon pine, juniper and thickets of Gambel oak. Before reaching Maricopa Point we pass the Powell Memorial, a tribute to Major John Wesley Powell who led the first expedition through the Grand Canyon down the Colorado River in 1869. Stop at the historic Kolb Studio and conclude the hike back in Grand Canyon Village at the El Tovar. We leave mid-afternoon for Flagstaff for our trip conclusion and final farewells…until we meet again.

• Rim Trail from Pima Point to El Tovar Hotel [4.1 miles; mostly level with a total elevation gain of 200 feet]
• Scenic shuttle to Flagstaff [two hours]

Other Details

Accommodation Details

We have arrange the following lodgings for this trip:

Day 1 and 2: Grand Canyon Lodge
Day 3 and 4: Phantom Ranch -- shared 10-person cabin or male and female dorm spaces / shared bath
Day 5: El Tovar Hotel

Note: no single occupancy is available at Phantom Ranch on Nights 3 and 4