9. Training Schedule & Trail Descriptions
Get Ready To Hike Two Of The Most Beautiful Trails On Earth in Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA!
Plan to be on the trail for 4-6 Hours on Each Hike Day - Nearly 20 Miles w/6500' of Elevation Change!
iConquer offers a wide range of trails for your hike at Grand Canyon. While each trail offers differing views and varying degrees of difficulty, all provide an exciting adventure in Grand Canyon National Park.
Hiking the Grand Canyon is challenging for everyone on many different levels. The first challenge is hiking in an altitude range of 6000-7000 feet where cardiovascular fitness is vital. The second challenge is hiking in extremely low relative humidity and high temperatures where hydration is critical. The other key challenges for hikers at Grand Canyon are based on personal choices and considerations (self-examination). We want your experience to be extraordinary and will put you with the team of hikers that most closely resembles your interests and hiking ability. The following trail choices are categorized based on unique characteristics of the types of trails along the rim or into the canyon. Trail choices should NOT be based solely on distance in miles (endurance) or steepness of descent/ascent (elevation gain/loss).
The physical demands of hiking in and out of the Grand Canyon are in stark contrast to those found in fitness walking or hiking on relatively flat terrain. The first portion of the adventure is in a forest that provides shade and a cool beginning to the hike. Weather permitting, the view from here is spectacular. Soon after, the hike down through the switchbacks, the trail opens up to a much different environment. The shade trees turn into smaller and shorter trees and shrubs, and the ground underfoot becomes much more technical. At the same time, the trail becomes steeper as it lowers into the canyon. It is here that you will be glad for the local knowledge of an expert guide and also where you will begin to really appreciate the training hikes that prepared you for this adventure. BOTH trails in BOTH directions can be summed up in one word: STEEP!
Strong knees and shins along with well-fitting boots are a must. As you descend the temperature will rise. As you take time to rest and enjoy the views, know that for every step-down, it will take an extra step to get back up. For each minute walked in, it will take an extra half-minute to walk out. The hike down is hardest on lower limbs, feet, and back. The returning hike will come when your legs are most tired. The atmosphere will become increasingly thin as you near the top (the average rim elevation is 7000 feet.) There are 3200 feet of elevation change from the rim to the lowest part of the trail we will hike over a relatively short distance.
The walk up is hardest on your feet, legs, lungs and your mental toughness. Finally, though you may have overcome the “intimidation” factor of taking the first actual steps over the rim, as you hike down the steep walls, your mind's eye will be on the rim. You will always be cognizant of the climb back out. Believe it or not, it is a good thing. It will help you to not overextend yourself or burn any excess energy going down. You'll need your reserve coming back up.
What Goes Down, Must Come Back Up - Under Your Own Power!
With that in mind, the best way for us to assure that you will be safe and successful in your trail experience is to give you all the tools you will need to prepare and train! The first are the images in the slideshow on the first page of this site. They should help you gain a healthy respect for the trail from where we start on the rim of Grand Canyon, the trail underfoot, and the steepness of the hike in both directions.
Timed hike and YOUR adventure
Our adventure and hike in Grand Canyon will be based upon several variables that will determine the amount of time we have to hike. As always, iConquer hikes as a team. As you have read in other sections of this guide, we have planned for quicker paced hikers as well as for those who choose a slower or less demanding pace. As you train, it is up to you to decide which hike is best for you. Once you are on the trail, our actual hikes and distances will be determined by your guides. They, and they alone, have prepared for the logistics of transportation, gauged the abilities and interests of the team, assessed the trail and weather conditions and have set a predetermined time to hike into and then out of the canyon. For your safety and the safety of the other team members, you will be required to turn around and stay with the team at all times. Our guides will not hike beyond the predetermined turnaround point.
Grand Canyon Weather and Trail Conditions
Like all iConquer adventures, safety is our highest priority. So NO ONE EVER hikes alone. Weather at Grand Canyon this time of year is fairly consistent. It should be sunny and warm (mid 70's) at the top and heat up quickly as we descend into the canyon. The sun grows in intensity and the heat rises quickly the lower we go into the canyon. Depending upon the day, temperatures can exceed 100f, with little or no protection from the shade. We will have a more accurate prediction of the weather as we get closer and will let you know what the weather service is predicting prior to your departure from home. While we cannot foresee any circumstance where we will not be able to do this hike, please be aware that conditions of the day will determine exactly what our adventure together will be.
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Recipe For Success
2 - 3 Liters of Water
Trail Snacks and Lunch
Deep Tread Hiking Boots
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iConquer - Grand Canyon Trail Descriptions
Grand Canyon - Bright Angel Trail | Grand Canyon - South Kaibab Trail
Here are detailed descriptions of the two primary trails we will utilize on your hike, Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail. Together the combined distance is up to 21 miles with nearly 6500' of elevation change over 12 - 14 hours of actual trail time! The links below are to PDF documents that can easily be printed out or downloaded to your phone for easy access. We will provide more in-depth information throughout the10-Week Training Schedule.
For your convenience, here is detailed information about the Rim Trail, which is by far the most popular trail at Grand Canyon. It is not necessarily a trail we incorporate into the our in-canyon hikes, but it is a fantastic 16-mile trail with some of the most spectacular views in all of Grand Canyon. If you choose to hike this trail, your walk is self-guided.
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Our goal is to prepare you to meet the rigors that come with hiking the special nuances that not only make hiking in Grand Canyon a challenge but to overcome some of the mental and physical challenges that are typically a part of all iConquer series hikes!
Journey30 is a 30 training program for walkers, wheelchair roll, and hikers of all fitness levels and interests. Please visit this page and select the Journey30 training program that best fits you. https://www.walkingconnection.com/journey30
As a general reminder, while you prepare yourself mentally and physically for the hike, keep in mind that unless you live in an area where the elevation is 7000' and in a dry desert, you can't fully duplicate the environment that you will experience in Grand Canyon. As we stated before, while you can never really know how the environment will affect you until you arrive at the Canyon, you can increase your ability to cope with the added physical stress by increasing your endurance and lung capacity as you train.
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"When you are moving your feet, look down!
When you are looking up, stand still!"
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START WALKING RIGHT NOW!
That's Right! Put down your mouse, plug in your earbuds or
grab a friend and go for a WALK!
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