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Prologue: This past weekend featured a two-part series on Grand Canyon National Park. Today's diary highlights information about the many hiking trails the park has to offer. The information is also cautionary given the rigors of this terrain. That being said, do, please, pay attention to such advice. Normally, hiking, like backpacking (and the two are not the same) is a safe and enjoyable experience, though the use of this adjective must also be qualified in the sense such enjoyment entails physical exertion).
On the other foot, sometimes things just go awry and incidents occur that can and will instantly change the complexion of any excursion, going from good to bad or worse, just like that. Ergo, if it appears to some DKos community readers I am a bit too preachy given such cautionary remarks, consider these epistles, lectures, admonishments, or by some other name, sound guidelines that should always be in place before taking that first step on any hike or backpacking excursion.
Note: As previously mentioned, and unless otherwise stated in the Attribution, all photos used in this diary are either my own or sent to me by field institute students and used by permission.
Choosing A Hiking Trail: There are many trails into the Grand Canyon, but keep this well intended advice in mind if you intend to hike here: FOLKS, THERE ARE NO EASY TRAILS INTO THE CANYON. NONE. The trails, and in many cases the steeper switchbacks, in the Canyon are classified as "highways,""backcountry," or "backcountry-wilderness" (i.e., primitive as in "What trail?"). The following information is only included in this text so that you know what you might be up against should you decide to take a hike into the Canyon, either for a day hike or an overnight stay. If you are going to test your muscles (and hopefully not challenge the Darwinian survival theory), then you will need to purchase trail books (with pictures and maps) for all the trails other than the two classic Canyon highways, the Bright Angel and the Kaibab Trails. (Highways? Because mule trains carrying dudes, luggage, supplies, and trash use them along with a mess of day hikers and backpackers.)
If you're planning to stay overnight you will also need a permit. (Please see the information below on the "Backcountry Office"). For 99% of the hikes in this challenging terrain you will need topographical maps (for backcountry and backcountry-wilderness trails), the right hiking and/or backpacking equipment, decent to expert route finding abilities (depending on the trail you're hiking), prior hiking and/or backpacking experience, be in good shape for the trails, and in very excellent shape for the more difficult trails. Having decent karma, grace, or darn good luck may also be an added advantage or bonus.
