Can you die without walking? Trip to American National Parks (4) Recommended hiking at Grand Canyon National Park

Following on from Sedona, this time we will provide you with information on recommended hiking information for the Grand Canyon.

What is the Grand Canyon?

An adventure trip in a grand circle where you can pick up places of interest, such as numerous national, state, and tribal parks, and arrange various ways to tour yourself. Among them, the Grand Canyon is America's leading national park. This is a great valley eroded by the Colorado River, and is an overwhelming scale that extends beyond the word majestic. This is a place the American nation is proud and recommended to the point that President Roosevelt gave a speech, "The American people should come here once in their lives. It's worth it."

The Grand Canyon area is vast and is divided into two areas: North Rim (closed in winter) and South Rim (open all year round) for convenience of access. It is divided into north and south sides across the Colorado River, but this time we'd like to introduce you to the South Kaibab Trail, a spectacular view of the South Rim. South Rim has a wide range of accommodation, souvenir shops, and supermarkets, making it very convenient for first-time visitors.

Recommended hiking trails at Grand Canyon (South Rim)

This time we will introduce a day hiking route that involves walking along the Kaibabu Trail in the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The South Kaibabu Trail is a trail that starts at a trailhead at an altitude of 2,213m, passes through several points along the way, then descends to the Colorado River, and then travels to the North Rim. This time, we will introduce a trail that can be easily reached in just one day. Skeleton Point is 3 miles (4.8km) from the trailhead, and for day hiking, this skeleton point is the final turnaround.

Recommended seasons for Grand Canyon hiking

The Grand Canyon has four seasons, and no matter what season you come, they will delight us with truly beautiful scenery. However, hiking at the Grand Canyon basically involves going down from the top of the valley downwards, so you go down the outbound route and then climb on the return route.

Although hiking to the South Kaibabu Trail is possible in every season (of course depending on the weather and circumstances of the day), in the summer, the more you descend into the valley, the more you become, the more scorching heat it becomes, and hydration becomes truly important. You need to be careful as the temperature rises in summer (especially from June to September) is likely to cause dehydration and heat stroke. For this reason, the best season for South Qibab is from March to May before summer, and from October to mid-November before snowing. The temperature rises especially with each drop during summer hikes, so if you're trekking for a few hours, we recommend planning to leave early in the morning and finish your walk in the morning.

The South Rim of Grand Canyon has three main routes: Hermit Trail, Bright Angel Trail, and the South Kaibab Trail we'll be introducing today, and you can get to each entrance by shuttle bus.

Do you need to proceed in advance to enter the park?

If you pay the entrance fee at the entrance, there is no special procedure for entering the national park. There is a toll gate at the entrance to the park, and there are park rangers, so you will have to pay and enter the park.

What outfit is best for hiking in the Grand Canyon?

Summer

The temperature rises during the day, and the more you go into the valley, the more desert the climate becomes. It's not a problem with a T-shirt and shorts. However, in places with extreme warmth, the temperature drops below 10°C in the mornings and evenings, so it's useful to have winter clothes such as windbreakers and fleece.

Winter

The starting point is 2,213m, so it's very cold. The maximum temperature can be below 10°C and the minimum temperature can be below -5°C, so thorough measures to keep you warm are required. Shawls, scarves, and hot-headed garments are also very useful.

Sunlight and other things you should be careful about

The sun is strong during the day, so make sure to have sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and more. Be careful of ultraviolet rays to your eyes, and having sunglasses will help relieve fatigue during long hikes. There are many rocky areas under your feet, so choose sturdy, easy to walk in, such as trekking shoes. The weather is high and changes easily when hiking, so it's safe to have plenty of drinking water, rain gear and snacks. Due to differences in temperature and temperature in the mornings and evenings, always be careful when hiking, such as to keep warm, and be prepared carefully.

Good things to carry on hiking

• Cold weather wear that can adjust the temperature
• Trekking shoes
• hat
• sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Drinks (more in the summer)
• Snacks and more for eating while hiking
• If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
• Headlight
• rain gear

Things to be careful of in national parks, etc.

There are several rules that should be followed in national parks to maintain beautiful parks and not destroy ecosystems. Be careful, under the supervision of a park ranger, if you commit a violation, you will be subject to a fine. Here are three of the most basic rules:

1. We don't take anything from the park home, and we don't leave anything in the park, including trash.
2. All the animals you see in the park are wild. No matter how cute you are, never get close to it. Don't touch it, don't try to feed it, don't be surprised. And throwing trash in places other than the designated trash can also change their lives.
3. Have a solid trail. Walk along the trail to avoid entering any path other than the trail.

What information centers are there in the national park? Can I replenish my food and equipment?

To get to the South Kaibabu Trailhead, first drive to the central area of ​​the park, where the visitor center and park store are located. There is a bus stop that takes you to the trailhead, where you park your own car there. There is also a large parking lot. There are toiletries, souvenir shops, cafes and visitor centers near the bus stop, so you can get everything you need for your hike there.

How to walk the South Kaibabu Trail

Approach: From the East Entrance (East Exit)

To the South Rim, you can enter the park using the entrance to the East Entrance on the east side and the South Entrance from the south side.

You can enter from either side, but if you use the east exit, be sure to stop by the Desert View Point, just outside the east exit. You can see the view point just as the Colora River curves. It is a very beautiful and spectacular view point, and it is a stop point that I personally recommend.

To the trailhead

Head to the Visitor Center, which is in the same area as Mercer Point or other places. There is also a large parking lot, and there are restaurants and souvenir shops where you can buy snacks.

After parked the car, finished the bathroom and the necessary shopping, then head to the bus stop. Take the orange line Kaibab/Rim route and get off at South Kaibab Trailhead. There is a trailhead just outside. By the way, buses run from the Visitor Center on three different routes. There are buses with orange, blue and purple, but please ride the orange colour. (Ride time within 10 minutes) Don't worry, it's easy to find. On the way back, you will also ride from the trailhead and return to the visitor center.

The bus runs at one train every 15 minutes.

The hike begins. From South Kaibab Trail to SkeletonPoint

*All photos were taken during a hike in November.

The South Kaibabu Trail departs from a trailhead elevation of 2,213m, and passes through several points along the way to the Colorado River, then travels to the North Rim. This time, we'll be heading to the middle of the trail, which is easy to get to in just one day. If you are a Skeleton Point day hike, 3 miles (4.8 km) from the trailhead, this skeleton point will be the final turnaround.

Note: You cannot reach the valley bottom on a day trip. There is a toilet on the way (at Ceder Point). Owned water supply on the trailhead.

DATA

• One-way: 3 miles (4.8km)
• Round trip: Approx. 10km　
• Elevation difference: Approx. 620m
• Duration: 4 to 5 hours

View Points

There will be several viewpoints before you reach the skeleton point, which is your goal this time.

The way

1. Ooh Aah Point: 1.5km from Ooh Point Trailhead. Approximately 30 minutes from Trailhead　
2. Ceder Point: 2.5km from Cedar Point Trailhead. Approximately 30 minutes from Oar Point (with washroom)
3. Skeleton Point: 4.8 km from Skeleton Point Trailhead. Approximately 50 minutes to an hour from Cedar Point

Return journey

1. Ceder Point about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Skeleton Point
2. Ooh Aah Point about 50 minutes from Cedar Point
3. Approximately 50 minutes from Oar Point to Trailhead

1.Go to Ooh Aah Point

First, the descent begins at the trailhead. Although the road is paved and easy to walk in, it is also a road used on mule tours, so be careful of mule poop. Mules are the priority when you meet mules on the trail, so you should pass them first, such as by using the side of the road. Don't forget to greet the cowboys and mules with a smile.

Construction of the South Kaibabu Trail began in the winter of 1924, with workers and mules carrying all the tools, cutting through the rocks, and working overnight, removing them during the hot summer months. Four years later, it finally opened in autumn. It was because of this incredible effort and effort that we were able to fully experience the charm of the canyon and rock surfaces we see today, and we are filled with gratitude to the workers...

Like every trail, I've often created roads in places like this! I always give my hats off to the people who made this.

On your right is a rocky mountain, and on your left is a narrow, meteoric path with a cliff. It is also a place with a lot of shade and is high, so it is expected to get colder depending on the season. The starting formation is the newest Kaibab Formation, which has been around for 2.7 million years. The Grand Canyon is often referred to as a textbook on Earth. We walk through the history that has been built up over the years.

A 30 minute walk from the trailhead will take you to the first point, Ooh Aah Point.

Your vision suddenly widens, and the valley shines in front of you. It is said that the name Oar Point was given to people's eyes as they were thrilled by the blue sky, red rock rocks, and the gradation of the geological layers of various colors, and the strata that were filled with various colors. It's cute as is.

2.Go to Ceder Point (with washroom)

A canyon changes colour every moment depending on how the sunlight hits it. And the blue sky is clear and clear all the way. The camera's shutters continue to stop as the magnificent scenery emerges one after another, even though you are captivated by the natural beauty that cannot be created by humans. Just past Cedar Point, the rock called O'Neill Butte in front of you is another beautiful and picturesque sight.

The hike continues with excitement as you can see the majesticity and strength that cannot be fitted into the camera, the deep tranquility of the large earth, and the sense of unity with nature that can only be felt by walking along the Grand Canyon.

We recommend taking a break here and taking a little time. It depends on the time of day, but we also recommend having lunch here. Rest your body with hydration and snacks.

3Go to Skeleton Point

Go to the skeleton point, which is the goal of your day hike. This is about half the point from the trailhead to the valley bottom. Once you get to this point, you'll also be able to see the Colora River. Many people turn around here, making it a break point. Please rest your feet while looking at the majestic scenery. Because on the return journey, you have to climb as you get down!

There is no doubt that once you descend half the valley, you will feel a different feeling from the grand circle you see from the top of the valley. The colours of rocks change over time, encounters with wildlife, the sounds of winds and birds squeals passing through the valleys of the Grand Canyon. There are scenery and sensations that can only be experienced by walking on your own feet and feeling the earth.

To prevent your body from getting cold, adjust your body temperature by putting on a jacket, etc., and rest to your heart's content.

Return of the sunset

On the way there we slowly climbed the path we came back to the trailhead, and we went on this hike in early November.

Just when I arrived at the trailhead on the way back, I was able to coincide with sunset time, and after the hike I received even more rewards from nature.

We all spent a little quiet time sitting on a rock with space near the trailhead.

I don't know how that sunset was reflected in each individual's mind, but they all looked quietly at the sunset.

It's amazing how beautiful natural art such as these is being carried out normally every day, over the years, and it's truly amazing! All there was to say was that. In front of the art of nature that we don't usually see, the mystery deepens, wondering what the Earth really is... lol

By the time I returned to the visitor centre by the time I took the bus, the sky was shining purple and it was beautiful too... If you are planning to go to the Grand Canyon or are thinking of going there in the future, be sure to walk into the valley. There's a view and feeling that is more than you imagined.

Kato Sayaka

Leave the Grand Canyon hike to us. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.

ANAMI TOURS Official Website