Hiking in the Grand Canyon is an absolute must for completely enjoying the beauty and size of this natural wonder. For a relaxing and relatively easy trail, it’s hard to top swimming in the Colorado River down the South Kaibab. But the next best thing you could do at the Grand Canyon is something a little more adventurous.
The Grand Canyon averages more rescues than any other national park in the world, and were it not for the swift response of the rescuers the death toll in the Canyon would be exorbitantly high. As it is, the Canyon’s steep drops, soaring summer temperatures, plummeting winter temperatures, lack of water, and sudden weather shifts account for more than 500 deaths since it was first explored by European descendants in the 19th century. Today the threats are every bit as real, and in some ways are sneakier because people descend into the Canyon feeling like they’ll be taken care of. It’s a national park after all, isn’t it? The bottom line is that to stay safe in the Grand Canyon you have to be careful.
While I can’t speak to the good and bad of human nature in general, I can offer this two-word recommendation for anyone venturing into the Grand Canyon: Be careful.
In particular, I would advise you to be careful if you are naturally claustrophobic. The Canyon is vast and as a result there are a lot of different kinds of cliffs, steep drop-offs, and rock slides to deal with. Because of this, the flatter the better, and the more distance between you and your destination the better. That being said, not everybody likes the wind, rock slides, and sheer cliffs of the Grand Canyon. So there are some precautions you can take to improve your chances of a safe and enjoyable trip.
Windy conditions are a big problem for hikers. The Canyon has a high vicuña population, and the wind can be brutal on them. Even when the wind blows there, the vicuñas have no fear of humans, and will attack if they think their young are in danger. So the best way to avoid such a fate is to avoid the area altogether. If you do choose to hike in the Canyon, keep your boots dry, and try to hike at dusk or well after the last suns rays have slumbered.
The second most common hazard is the sun. The Grand Canyon is extremely bright, and because of this, the skin reflectiveness of the Grand Canyon is greater than any other place on earth, which means people are easily drawn to it. The Vermilion Cliffs and the Kaibab cliffs are among the easiest places to observe the sun, because they are higher and off the sand slopes. Because of the high temperatures at the bottom of the Canyon, the glows are particularly strong at night.
Because of the danger of heat stroke and dehydration, it is encouraged to drink only half a liter of water per hour. If you absolutely must drink water, bring a water filter or be willing to bring your water with you. Water filters are available in the water stations, visitor centers, and gas stations. Fill up your personal water bottle and use it in the water source lake.
The last Major Wave Barrier is the mooring hazard. As waves machine up from the Canyon floor, they slam into the side of the Grand Canyon. Near the cresting wave action stops and the waves pick up speed, racing down the Canyon’s steep walls. Thousands of people a year suffer from dehydration, heat stroke, and sunburn after taking the Grand Canyon’s plunge. Don’t miss it.
What to Bring
The Park’s Visitor Center is the place to go if you want to see the Canyon. Here you can find maps, trail descriptions, underwater pictures, and a wealth of information about the history of the Park, as well as the current conditions of the Trails and the water areas.
Also, you can obtain a Park Pass that costs $5.00 per car for 24 hours. Of course, you will need to plan your route carefully and be prepared for the unexpected, but the Grand Canyon makes it easy to see it all.
Of course, you will want to bring your camera. These park trails are breathtakingly beautiful, and you will be able to capture the unique images for years to come. Besides, you will be able to hike much of the Park’s wilderness trails, so make sure you bring the along with you any type of camera or video camera.
But by all means, make sure to hydrate yourself often. Having too much water or even too little too much water can quickly change your physical conditions. You might want to load up your backpack with some water purification tablets and re-hydrate yourself.
While you’re at it, doesn’t it always pay to have some fun.
