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Are you ready for a breathtaking adventure that combines stunning vistas, heart-pumping hikes? Look no further than my trip to the Grand Canyon! Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for an unforgettable getaway, the Grand Canyon offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and lighthearted fun that will leave you with memories to cherish. Grab your hiking boots and trekking poles – we're about to relive an adventure like no other! 1. Gearing Up for my Grand Canyon Getaway Before you dive headfirst into the canyon's grandeur, it's time to pack your essentials. Sunscreen? Check. Snacks? Check. Bug spray? Check. Hydration pack? Check. It is recommended to bring at least 2 liters of water but preferably you should bring 3 liters. Important tip: If you are not a seasoned hiker, who is used to major elevation changes. A can of oxygen will be your best friend. Do not be like me and forget to take one because you will regret it! Haha When planning your hike, take into a count when you are going to go. Depending on which rim of The Grand Canyon you visit and at what time of the year, it can be very busy. My recommendation is hiking the south rim in the spring or fall. Make sure it is not on a holiday and try to go during the week. You will have the least amount of traffic, also consider getting to the rim early, sun rise is the best time. Not only will you beat the rush of hikers from 9-10am that show up, but you can also catch the sunrise at the canyon. There is free parking at The Grand Canyon Visitors Center. Then you can take a free shuttle to whichever trail you choose. If you pick The Bright Angel Trail they have water stations available to refill your water throughout the hike. Make sure to check the national parks website to make sure the water stations are up and running when you go. There are also bathrooms at the 3-mile and 6-mile rest houses. If you choose The South Kaibab Trail like I did, just know there is no water available on the trail, and the only bathroom is at the 3-mile rest house (Cedar Ridge). The South Kaibab Trail elevation change is more drastic then the Bright Angle Trail. It was made by the national park to be the quickest way down into the Grand Canyon, so make sure to take the elevation change of this trail into a count when choosing it. 2. Rimside: The First View of the Canyon As you stand at the rim of the Grand Canyon, prepare to be awe-struck by its vastness. As I stood there I was in shock at what I was looking at. It did not seem real. I set up my GoPro on my hydration pack, made sure to adjust my trekking poles to the proper length and off we went. We got to the rim at 7am to start our hike. Down into this massive, extraordinary hole in the ground! 3. Trail: Finding Joy in the Journey Venturing down into the canyon is like stepping into a whole new world. The twisting trails and towering cliffs become the backdrop for your epic adventure. Don't forget to appreciate the simple things, like stopping for a water break and really taking in your surroundings. Remember, it's not just about the destination, but the journey along the way. There are several places that you can step off the trail to take a break or snap some photos. People going down walk on the right side and people going up are on the left side. One tip is if you are moving at a slower pace than make sure to allow anyone who is moving quicker than you to pass you, so you don’t hold the flow up. When hiking down into the canyon it was a breeze, we made good time and got several good photos and videos. We stopped at Ooh Aah Point (1-mile check point) took in the view and took a water break. Then we made our way to Cedar Point (3-mile check point). We stopped to use the bathroom and grab a snack. Then we continued down to Skeleton Point (6-mile check point), and it is the farthest point that they recommend you hike to for a day hike. We grabbed another snack, while we got to see The Colorado River. As I was sitting there, I went to put my bag of cheez-its down to get a drink and the next thing I know a squirrel comes and steals my cheez-its and runs off with two of them! There are signs posted telling hikers not to feed the wildlife so I started to panic a little. At that point there was not anything else I could do about it, so I hope the little guy enjoyed them! 4. Hiking Out: The Tragic Story After we spent about 30 minutes at Skelton Point we began our journey back up. As I mentioned earlier, the hike down was a breeze for me. Hiking back up was the complete opposite. Remember, at the beginning of the blog when I said make sure to bring a can of oxygen? Well this is why. We got maybe a half-mile on the way back up and I already was starting to have a hard time breathing. It only got worse, I had five more miles to go and I started to get worried. I had to stop every 50-100 feet to catch my breath. At some points I really thought, this is how I die. I just kept telling myself one foot at a time, you can do this. You are going to make it out of this canyon! Besides the views that you are surrounded by, cannot be beat. I could not think of a better place to meet my end! Haha We made it to Cedar Point, took a break and got hydrated. Halfway there, I was determined to finish this hike and not embarrass myself anymore. My friend who was hiking with me, lives in Arizona. She was not as affected by the elevation as I was. She was very encouraging and supportive, bless her heart! Step after step, I hiked my butt out of that canyon, and made it to the rim. I DID IT! I SURVIVED THE GRAND CANYON!! That was the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the most rewarding. I think everyone should visit The Grand Canyon in their lifetime. I cannot wait to go back. I would like to book a night at The Phantom Ranch and spend the night in The Grand Canyon. 5. Gratitude and Reflection: A Farewell to the Canyon As your adventure draws to a close, take a moment to reflect on the memories you've created. Hiking the Grand Canyon isn't just about conquering trails; it's about embracing the unexpected, finding joy in the journey, and sharing moments of laughter with friends So, whether you're exploring the depths of the canyon or gazing at its majesty from the rim, remember to be prepared and let the fun-filled adventure begin!

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