we did the grand canyon R2R2R in 2016 late summer as a day hike. I won't recommend it to any one. You may pull it off if you are in good condition, well prepared and have company. Please dont attempt it as a day hike and pl pl don't go alone.
Even after that declaration if your nerves still plan to attempt it as a day-hike, here are the words of caution and detail.
we hiked down south kaibab trail and came back up bright angels. Internet is full of statistics but what you need most is a strong will and a good company. South kaibab trail is very steep so its better you hike down and take a lesser evil bright angles for your way back up.
1. carry a lot of water.. I am sure i emptied my 3L sack twice.
2. it took an overall 20 hours of hiking point to point at an average pace, taking lot of photoes, stopping every few miles.
3. south kaibab doesn't have any shade, no campgrounds, no emergency huts.
4. bright angels had at least 1 place just about 1-2 miles towards the end where you can find an emergency phone to dial 911.. but then pl don't expect any evacuation. SARs on grand canyon would take a lot of time. Day hike is a strict no-no and you will be doing the Rangers a favor by not attempting it rather than asking for help.
5. exhaustion in day-hike is almost certain and slogging those last few miles really need a strong will power.
6. PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL BE HIKING DOWN FIRST AND THEN HIKING UP. This is a killer of a format for a day hike. If you don't know what it means, you better stay off. If you are not sure you can do the 15+ overall miles with 4k elevation gain in the 2nd half, then pl don't do this.
7. there is one campground on bright angels trail, i don't remember if the water is potable or not. I think yes, but I carried my everything all the time. its partly shaded too but you are already exhausted after 10 hours and having few miles still ahead UP is so very dangerous at that point. PLEASE READ AND PLAN WELL.
Other than that, the views are spectacular, in fact you won't absorb the beauty in a single day because your focus is on the hike probably, worse if not.
Will I do it again? yes, we all made it up once and we will do again surely because we will plan and prepare the hell out of it if at all we go that route a second time. because its one of the most memorable hikes of our life time...
Will I recommend it to others? NO. Please don't go without preparation and signing off a waiver for yourself.
If you can get a reservation to stay at the bottom for the night, thats wonderful but I am sure thats not easy. We waited for many months to split that hike into 2-days but finally decided to take the day-hike head on.
atb.
Last edited by balsss; 09/17/18 08:16 PM.
