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Excerpt
Three Ways to Hoof the Hole
By John Annerino Of some 250 miles (402 kilometers) of inner-canyon trails, just 30 miles (48 kilometers) are maintained. But even the canyon's most trafficked routes have been known to pummel seasoned hikers. Be conservative in estimating mileage, and start with a tried-and-true trek like one of these standouts.  How much water you need depends on how deep you're going. Plan carefully: On most rim-to-river trails, the only reliable water source is the Colorado River itself. Above: Round-trip, per-person water needs in moderate canyon temperatures. THE DAY HIKE
Chiseled through stone that ranges from 260 million to 1.8 billion years old, the steep switchbacks of the South Kaibab Trail offer day hikers superior views of the inner canyon. It's just a 780-foot (238 meter) descent to panoramic and aptly named Ooh Aah Point (one and a half miles round-trip) (2.4 kilometers); or continue down past the rust-red pyramid of O'Neill Butte to a dizzying river-view perch on Skeleton Point (six miles round-trip) (9.6 kilometers). THE WEEKEND TRIP
The North Rim's rugged Thunder River Trail is a mesmerizing desert route to plummeting cascades. Cave the headwater passageway (permit required), trout-fish Granite Narrows, and hike across Surprise Valley to Deer Creek narrows to see a mosaic of prehistoric handprints (24 miles round-trip via the Bill Hall Trail) (39 kilometers). THE EPIC TREK
It's an all-time classic: the Grand Canyon traverse, from the cool 7,000-foot (2,134-meter) ponderosa pine forest on the South Rim's Coconino Plateau down into the inner canyon's blistering desert and back up to the North Rim's alpine forests. Follow the Bright Angel Trail 4.7 miles (7.6 kilometers) to the oasis of Indian Garden. Pitch your tent and walk to Plateau Point for a raptor's view of the Colorado River. The next morning, hike the remaining 4.8 miles down the Devil's Corkscrew to historic Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. Spend a day or two exploring Phantom Creek Narrows (beware: summer is flash flood season) and writing postcards that will be carried out by mule. From the ranch, follow the North Kaibab seven miles up to Cottonwood Campground and spend the afternoon exploring a deep tributary chasm known as the Transept. It's 6.7 more miles (10.8 kilometers) up to the North Rim, where you can collapse in luxury at the Grand Canyon Lodge before catching the shuttle back to the South Rim. For Adventure's full Big-Ditch coverage—including a fact-packed mega-map—pick up the March issue. Online Extra
Wallpaper Four million people visit the Grand Canyon every year, but you can have the great gorge all to yourself by downloading our Grand Canyon desktop image. Download image >> Excerpts
From the print edition, March 2004
The Grand Canyon Tool Kit: Essential strategies for doing the canyon right Hiking the Grand Canyon: Three ways to hoof the hole Rafting the Grand Canyon: The best way to run the Colorado Canyon Legends: Three unsolved mysteries High Holy Days: Cleansing your karma on Tibet's Mount Kailas The Adventures of Tim Cahill: Why a little bird is picking on a whale Special Report: Wreck diving's deep frontier, on the S.S. Aleutian Subscribe to Adventure today and save 62 percent off the cover price! |
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