Tommey and I had no real plan for this trip, but after a couple of huge days in Tuolumne, we decided, "why the hell not?" Well, hell - I suffered cramps and nausea just before topping out on North Rim. Ate a burrito, then happily jogged a good portion back to Kaibab.
A rough 20-hr day with complementary mountain lion stalking on exit.
AZ_hiker - Nov 20, 2020 11:57 am Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2020
Backpacking Adventure
Rim to Rim. 2 nights, 3 days hiking the Grand Canyon. I enjoyed Ribbons Falls. Beautiful weather and had great hiking companions.
rocketsredglare - Nov 17, 2019 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Nov 16, 2019
R2R, really 23 miles
Ran almost the entire canyon to the cabins/dorms. Then getting out was wicked hard. It didn't feel like 23.9 miles and watch said 19? Not sure which to listen to but legs are wooden today!
The official distance is 23.5 miles. But keep in mind that you don't just go the most perfect, direct line. You stop, make side steps, nature calls etc. So you probably did a little more that 24 miles. Regardless, forget the watch. I did the canyon many times and the GPS signal is not very good down there. I had distances all over the spectrum. Congratulations are in order.
Diesel - Mar 3, 2018 2:11 am Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2017
Failed RRR
My failed attempt to another RRR turned into a R2R, two beers and the "shame shuttle" back to the South Rim. From Bright Angel I made it to the N Rim in almost 7.5 hours but I felt a general feeling of fatigue the entire time. I could've run/hiked back, but I knew it would have been a painful attempt. Next time I'll try to rest better before the run.
Fairweather - Jan 21, 2018 10:51 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2014
North to South
Down the North Kaibab and up the Bright Angel. We picked this day since it was the first weekend when the shuttle service started, and it was a bad choice. Temperature at the bottom was 102, and it felt even hotter. Ended up being a very long day (15 hours), that included some must needed stops to cool down and regroup. Returned to the South Rim in April of 2016 to go down the South Kaibab and up the Bright Angel. MUCH more enjoyable day, even with the thunderstorm at the last rest stop before the top.
jgreeneruns - Apr 13, 2015 3:13 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2014
I'll be back for more
I picked the wrong shoes to wear. You DO NOT need hiking boots, sneakers are plenty.
I packed way too much. Just a couple of snacks and a sandwich would have been plenty.
I want to go back to enjoy it again with better footwear and less weight on my back.
Diesel - Nov 12, 2014 10:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2013
R2R
Down North Kaibab, up Bright Angel. Solo hike. Competed in 7 hours & 45 minutes nonstop hiking (no running). It felt great. The most annoying thing were the foreign tourists at South Rim who never give the right of way to hikers coming up.
abrennalinerush - Oct 13, 2014 12:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2014
"Once In a Lifetime"
That means I don't have to do it again, right? (Kidding. Mostly.) October day hike down North Kaibab and up Bright Angel. Trails are a little too busy for my liking, but that was expected. Gorgeous day, gorgeous strata! Remind me to eat more if I ever do this again.
utahguy058 - Oct 12, 2014 11:25 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2014
Try it with a bike on your back!
It's hot in the inner canyon! That's all I am gonna say about that! I lied, it's not; I have to admit that was the hardest part for me, I am not a fan of being hot. The scenery was top notch! The company was splendid, and after a long day the final push out feels slow. For me it wasn't as bad as I imagined, I felt great the whole way, just a bit slow the final 1.5 miles out. Went from N. Kaibab and out Bright Angel. On the way out we saw a man carrying a mountain bike on his back out of the canyon, now that is hardcore! He wins.
Foxy Long Bottoms - Apr 22, 2014 10:39 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2014
R2R2R
down Bright Angel, up north rim, down north rim, up south Kaibab. TOTALLY AWESOME!
RaymondShevsky - Dec 20, 2013 2:02 pm Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2010
Tell your grandchildren
R2R as a dayhike in fall 2010 and 2011.
ttalley - Dec 18, 2013 3:36 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2013
Second R2R2R
Went with a friend this year and didn't bring all the camping gear. We left the South Rim down the South Kaibab at 4am and made it across to the North Rim in 8 hours, then got caught in a storm for a bit on the way back and trudged back up the South Kaibab in 10 hours, making for quite a long day. Beautiful hike and full moon as a bonus!
JRaphaelson - Jun 22, 2013 5:23 am Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2013
Route: North Kaibab-Bright Angel-North Kaibab
Did the Rim to Rim to Rim hike over 3 days. The last was a brutal uphill in 100+ degree weather. Definitely a life changing experience though.
Vic Hanson - Apr 10, 2013 2:42 am Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2013
RR then RRR
Did the S. Kaibab down and Bright Angel up on Mar 23 as my final training for the Rim to Rim to Rim a week later. For the RRR we started down the S Kaibab at 4:00am, reached the north rim in 6 hr 40 min, was back at the top of the S Kaibab in 13h 18m 16s. My goal was 15 hours or less so I was very pleased. It was my first RRR and longest day hike ever by 10 miles. A long ways from the record time but not bad for 64 years old. God is good!
ttalley - Nov 13, 2012 6:54 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2012
First R2R2R
First time hiking R2R2R (or anything at the Grand Canyon). I started at 10:30 a.m. down South Kaibab, left Phantom Ranch at 1 p.m. Stashed my sleeping bag, thermarest and bivy at Cottonwood at 3:30 p.m. and headed to the North Rim. Arrived at North Rim in the dark at 7 p.m. and headed back to Cottonwood hoping to be able to just pick up my stuff and keep going. I felt great when I arrived at Cottonwood at 10 p.m. so I picked up my stuff and hiked to Phantom Ranch, arriving at 12:30 a.m. Then I started the long slog up the South Kaibab. It was quite a long hike up for me and I finally arrived at the top at 4:45 a.m! Total hike was 18:15. Next time, I'd definitely take less gear (probably 15 pounds less) and see if I could cut off an hour or two on the way back up. All in all, it was an epic hike and glad I finished!
utahjimk - Oct 29, 2012 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2012
N Rim to S Rim
N Kaibab to Bright Angel TH, in one tough day. Enjoyed it, but recommend spending a night or two in the canyon.
skorpeo - Aug 4, 2012 12:29 am Date Climbed: Mar 8, 2001
Deb - Jul 18, 2022 12:35 pm
R2R2RTommey and I had no real plan for this trip, but after a couple of huge days in Tuolumne, we decided, "why the hell not?" Well, hell - I suffered cramps and nausea just before topping out on North Rim. Ate a burrito, then happily jogged a good portion back to Kaibab.
A rough 20-hr day with complementary mountain lion stalking on exit.
AZ_hiker - Nov 20, 2020 11:57 am Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2020
Backpacking AdventureRim to Rim. 2 nights, 3 days hiking the Grand Canyon. I enjoyed Ribbons Falls. Beautiful weather and had great hiking companions.
rocketsredglare - Nov 17, 2019 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Nov 16, 2019
R2R, really 23 milesRan almost the entire canyon to the cabins/dorms. Then getting out was wicked hard. It didn't feel like 23.9 miles and watch said 19? Not sure which to listen to but legs are wooden today!
Diesel - Feb 11, 2020 1:55 pm
Re: R2R, really 23 milesThe official distance is 23.5 miles. But keep in mind that you don't just go the most perfect, direct line. You stop, make side steps, nature calls etc. So you probably did a little more that 24 miles. Regardless, forget the watch. I did the canyon many times and the GPS signal is not very good down there. I had distances all over the spectrum. Congratulations are in order.
Diesel - Mar 3, 2018 2:11 am Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2017
Failed RRRMy failed attempt to another RRR turned into a R2R, two beers and the "shame shuttle" back to the South Rim. From Bright Angel I made it to the N Rim in almost 7.5 hours but I felt a general feeling of fatigue the entire time. I could've run/hiked back, but I knew it would have been a painful attempt. Next time I'll try to rest better before the run.
Fairweather - Jan 21, 2018 10:51 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2014
North to SouthDown the North Kaibab and up the Bright Angel. We picked this day since it was the first weekend when the shuttle service started, and it was a bad choice. Temperature at the bottom was 102, and it felt even hotter. Ended up being a very long day (15 hours), that included some must needed stops to cool down and regroup. Returned to the South Rim in April of 2016 to go down the South Kaibab and up the Bright Angel. MUCH more enjoyable day, even with the thunderstorm at the last rest stop before the top.
jgreeneruns - Apr 13, 2015 3:13 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2014
I'll be back for moreI picked the wrong shoes to wear. You DO NOT need hiking boots, sneakers are plenty.
I packed way too much. Just a couple of snacks and a sandwich would have been plenty.
I want to go back to enjoy it again with better footwear and less weight on my back.
Diesel - Nov 12, 2014 10:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2013
R2RDown North Kaibab, up Bright Angel. Solo hike. Competed in 7 hours & 45 minutes nonstop hiking (no running). It felt great. The most annoying thing were the foreign tourists at South Rim who never give the right of way to hikers coming up.
abrennalinerush - Oct 13, 2014 12:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2014
"Once In a Lifetime"That means I don't have to do it again, right? (Kidding. Mostly.) October day hike down North Kaibab and up Bright Angel. Trails are a little too busy for my liking, but that was expected. Gorgeous day, gorgeous strata! Remind me to eat more if I ever do this again.
utahguy058 - Oct 12, 2014 11:25 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2014
Try it with a bike on your back!It's hot in the inner canyon! That's all I am gonna say about that! I lied, it's not; I have to admit that was the hardest part for me, I am not a fan of being hot. The scenery was top notch! The company was splendid, and after a long day the final push out feels slow. For me it wasn't as bad as I imagined, I felt great the whole way, just a bit slow the final 1.5 miles out. Went from N. Kaibab and out Bright Angel. On the way out we saw a man carrying a mountain bike on his back out of the canyon, now that is hardcore! He wins.
Foxy Long Bottoms - Apr 22, 2014 10:39 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2014
R2R2Rdown Bright Angel, up north rim, down north rim, up south Kaibab. TOTALLY AWESOME!
RaymondShevsky - Dec 20, 2013 2:02 pm Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2010
Tell your grandchildrenR2R as a dayhike in fall 2010 and 2011.
ttalley - Dec 18, 2013 3:36 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2013
Second R2R2RWent with a friend this year and didn't bring all the camping gear. We left the South Rim down the South Kaibab at 4am and made it across to the North Rim in 8 hours, then got caught in a storm for a bit on the way back and trudged back up the South Kaibab in 10 hours, making for quite a long day. Beautiful hike and full moon as a bonus!
JRaphaelson - Jun 22, 2013 5:23 am Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2013
Route: North Kaibab-Bright Angel-North KaibabDid the Rim to Rim to Rim hike over 3 days. The last was a brutal uphill in 100+ degree weather. Definitely a life changing experience though.
Vic Hanson - Apr 10, 2013 2:42 am Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2013
RR then RRRDid the S. Kaibab down and Bright Angel up on Mar 23 as my final training for the Rim to Rim to Rim a week later. For the RRR we started down the S Kaibab at 4:00am, reached the north rim in 6 hr 40 min, was back at the top of the S Kaibab in 13h 18m 16s. My goal was 15 hours or less so I was very pleased. It was my first RRR and longest day hike ever by 10 miles. A long ways from the record time but not bad for 64 years old. God is good!
splattski - Apr 11, 2013 8:08 am
Re: RR then RRRRemarkable! Congratulations!
ttalley - Nov 13, 2012 6:54 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2012
First R2R2RFirst time hiking R2R2R (or anything at the Grand Canyon). I started at 10:30 a.m. down South Kaibab, left Phantom Ranch at 1 p.m. Stashed my sleeping bag, thermarest and bivy at Cottonwood at 3:30 p.m. and headed to the North Rim. Arrived at North Rim in the dark at 7 p.m. and headed back to Cottonwood hoping to be able to just pick up my stuff and keep going. I felt great when I arrived at Cottonwood at 10 p.m. so I picked up my stuff and hiked to Phantom Ranch, arriving at 12:30 a.m. Then I started the long slog up the South Kaibab. It was quite a long hike up for me and I finally arrived at the top at 4:45 a.m! Total hike was 18:15. Next time, I'd definitely take less gear (probably 15 pounds less) and see if I could cut off an hour or two on the way back up. All in all, it was an epic hike and glad I finished!
utahjimk - Oct 29, 2012 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2012
N Rim to S RimN Kaibab to Bright Angel TH, in one tough day. Enjoyed it, but recommend spending a night or two in the canyon.
skorpeo - Aug 4, 2012 12:29 am Date Climbed: Mar 8, 2001
Hardest day hike of my lifeOuch, ouch, ouch
mg1779 - Jul 18, 2012 1:17 am
R2R2RHave done this hike twice now. Can't wait to go again.