South Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail Loop

The late Fall turned out to be the perfect time to visit the Grand Canyon. You still run into a number of people tripping over rocks with selfie sticks, but we had no trouble finding peace and serenity on distant overlooks and throughout the trails.  We arrived around 4 pm on a Saturday after 21 hours of driving and a stop for a quick nap in Amarillo, TX. After taking in the incredible, sweepi...

The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long and is full of unique geological formations in all sorts of colors. One of the most striking aspects of the Grand Canyon is its immense scale and the dynamic landscapes it has to offer. There's something about it that makes it extremely difficult to fully capture the scale of it all through photos. The Grand Canyon definitely cannot be fully appreciated w...

If you want to see the real Grand Canyon, this is it. The 3 day backpacking will take you down into the canyon to where few people visit. Although the South Kaibab trail is steep, has no shade cover and water and the views are gorgeous. It is best to start from the South Kaibab, hike down to the Bright Angel campground, and back up the Bright Angel trail. This way you get a change of scenery an...

This run is an extreme adventure and requires lots of planning and training. The risk for injury or heat related illness is high, so take precautions and don't run alone. Group sizes of 12-30 require a $175 permit from the NPS. These trails are popular with runners, hikers, and backpackers; please be respectful on the trail. There are a few ways to run R2R2R, with the popular option being d...

Note: The spot on the map is the beginning of the hike into Cremation Canyon Campground. For the full report on getting there, check out this adventure. Heading out of the campsite at Cremation Canyon, look for hints of a trail where you will scramble up, following other boot prints and cairns that lead the way. Head up through a saddle and look for Piano Alley (giant rocks that have rolled do...

To access the trailhead, you must take a shuttle in. There is not parking next to the trailhead because the parking lot is very small. From the trailhead you cascade down several steep switchbacks and continue on until you reach Ooh Ah point. Ooh Ah point is a great place for a wide or panoramic picture and is a fantastic rest spot. Continuing on from Ooh Ah point, after several steep and windi...