Arizona Raft Adventures - Grand Canyon Bright Angel Trail

Arizona Raft Adventures, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Arizona, river rafting trips

Arizona Raft Adventures - Day Tour

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Grand Canyon Bright Angel Trail

Arizona Raft Adventures, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Arizona, river rafting trips
Photo by Rob Elliott

If you prefer an oar or paddle trip, but cannot spare two weeks, a partial trip involving a hike on the Bright Angel Trail might be a solution for you. The Bright Angel Trail allows the option to divide the full Canyon trip into two shorter trips; we refer to these shorter sections as the "upper" and "lower" portions. If you choose to do an upper or lower Canyon trip, you will either begin or end with a hike on the Bright Angel Trail; a 7.5 mile trail (4,500 vertical feet) connecting the Colorado River and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In making this decision, it is important to take time to thoroughly educate yourself and everyone in your group about the mandatory hike on the Bright Angel Trail. While the trail is well-traveled on by hikers and maintained by the National Park Service, it is a very demanding hike including challenges such as elevation change, uneven footing, large steps, rocks, ball bearing-like surface conditions, and extreme heat exposure. With this being said, the hike is very doable for most people if... you take the hike seriously, are in good physical condition (both health and fitness wise), pack light, stay cool, and eat and drink properly.

Is this trip option for you? If you are booking a trip involving this hike, you should be a person who chooses to live an active lifestyle rather than a sedentary one, you should engage in strenuous physical activity/exercise several times a week, and you should have experience carrying a loaded backpack on trails with significant elevation change. Ask yourself and everyone in your group the following questions:

Do you live an active lifestyle?
Do you vigorously exercise at least three times per week?
Do you participate in some sort of strength training exercise?
Do you have experience carrying a backpack weighing 20-30 lbs?
Is this the best trip option for you?
Do you think the Bright Angel Trail sounds like fun?
Did you do your own research when booking this trip?

THE ANSWER TO ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS SHOULD BE YES!

While the trail is well-traveled by hikers and maintained by the National Park Service, it is a very challenging hike. The amount of time it takes to complete the trail varies on your fitness level, experience, weather, and whether you hike up or hike down. If you are hiking up the Bright Angel Trail, the average hiking time is 6-8 hours. If you are hiking down the trail, you should plan on making the hike in 6 hours or less. You must also carry your personal gear for the trip along with at least 3 quarts of water (3 quarts of water weigh 6 pounds). The hiking conditions of the trail vary from day to day and during the summer it can be extremely hot, possibly well over 100 degrees, and maybe little to no shade depending on the time of year and time of day. In the spring, there could still be ice on the trail in spots.

Although many of our guests understand the seriousness of choosing to hike the Bright Angel Trail, we have at least one guest every year who is evacuated via helicopter during or after the hike, and we have several guests every year who take upwards of 12 hours to complete the 7.5 mile hike, becoming extremely sore, dehydrated, and sometimes injured in the process. Most of those who have troubles on the hike overestimate their abilities and/or underestimate the strenuous nature of the hike. While most of our passengers make the hike without incident, you should also consider other trip alternatives if any of the following conditions apply to you or anyone in your group. These conditions may not exclude you from making the hike but can pose complications and should merit additional thoughtful consideration:• asthma (exercised and dust induced) • history of heat related problems (heat exhaustion or stroke) • pregnancy • taking prescription medications which might increase your susceptibility to dehydration or hyponytremia • heart disease • vertigo, balance issues, or unusual fear of heights • foot, ankle, knee, hip or back problems • a generally sedentary lifestyle • more than a few pounds overweight • smoker • out of shape • age (be honest to yourself about your current physical capabilities).

The mule riding or mule duffle service provided by Xanterra Parks and Resorts is NOT an option when traveling with AzRA. Therefore, you must be physically prepared to hike in your own personal belongings. We will provide you with a list of recommended equipment but most guests end up with backpacks weighing 20 lbs or more. We provide all of your camping gear so you do not need to hike with a sleeping bag or tent. Review hiking tips.

Understand the layout of the land. The full Canyon non-motorized trip is 14-16 days long and 226 miles in length. Because of the remote location of the Grand Canyon, there are no access roads between river mile 0 and river mile 226. However, the commonly traveled Bright Angel Trail, connects the river and the rim and intersects Pipe Springs beach, located at river mile 89. The upper Canyon trip requires a hike up the trail on the last day of the trip. The lower Canyon trip requires a hike down the trail on the first day of your trip. The Bright Angel Trail is not required if you sign up for the full Canyon hybrid, all-paddle or the motor trip.

Arizona Raft Adventures, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Arizona, river rafting trips
Photo by Starla Clarke

It is hard to capture the Bright Angel Trail in one photo but you can see the vastness of the Canyon and the many switchbacks and stair steps you will encounter along the way. The hike is quite beautiful and often rewards guests with a personal sense of accomplishment. To see more photos of the Bright Angel Trail, check out The Bright Angel Photo Album on the AzRA Facebook page. For additional information regarding the Bright Angel Trail provided by the National Park service, check out the following two web documents. The first page describes the Bright Angel Trail from the rim down to Plateau Point. Note: you will be hiking from the River Resthouse instead of Plateau Point. The second page provides a little history behind the trail and also notes mileage from the Rim. There are also several home made video clips on YouTube; easily found by searching "hiking the Bright Angel Trail."

"After hiking down the Bright Angel Trail my muscles ached for 3 days, making all the other hikes more difficult. I wish I had gotten in better shape before the trip. "
Diane Mercurio, Metacher, NJ

"Your information should stress the need to bring less stuff for those who are hiking into or out of the Grand Canyon. It is surprising how little you need. Many in our group woefully overpacked. "
John O'Brien, Phoenix, AZ

"The hike out the Bright Angel Trail on day six was my favorite. Truly awesome ... and a great sense of personal accomplishment."
Eric Polesuk, Morristown, NJ

PLAN THE MONTHS, WEEKS AND DAYS BEFORE YOUR TRIP

EXERCISE, CONDITION, AND TAKE THIS HIKE SERIOUSLY
If you regularly engage in some sort of physical labor or aerobic exercise at work or play, this hike is possible for you. HOWEVER, PHYSICAL CONDITIONING AND CONSISTENT EXERCISE PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP IS ESSENTIAL. Be sure to concentrate on muscle strengthening: core, legs, calves, and quads. Extreme muscle fatigue often experienced toward the end of the hike. If you need advice on how to train for your hike, please consult with a physical fitness trainer.
PLAN ON PACKING LIGHT
A small-medium internal or no frame backpack is usually sufficient (medium size around 2500 cubic inches). The Equipment List provided in the trip packet offers a guide for packing the minimum gear recommended. Take into account the following: you will wear one set of recommended clothing the day your trip begins, wearing the same clothing throughout the trip is normal protocol, and clothes can be washed in the River. Bright Angel Trail hikers commonly bring more gear than necessary. A lighter pack makes for an easier hike!
CHOOSE APPROPRIATE SHOES
A lightweight hiking boot, hiking shoe, or trail runner with solid support and good tread are all appropriate choices of footwear (see footwear page). Shoes should fit properly and be broken-in. Do not break in a new pair of shoes on this hike. Wear a clean pair of hiking socks with heel and toe cushioning. If you are on an upper half trip, keep a clean pair of socks set aside specifically for the hike out. Some people like to wear a pair of sock liners, in addition to socks, to reduce rubbing.
UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING & HYDRATION
Prepare by eating well and drinking plenty of fluids at least one full day before the “big hike.” In addition, eat breakfast (provided) the morning of the hike. If you are hiking out of the Canyon, an electrolyte mix and a sack lunch is provided. If you are hiking down, a light breakfast, snacks, and electrolyte mix will be provided. It is important to eat and drink during your hike. If you don’t take this seriously, you may cause yourself to become very ill from either dehydration or other heat related illnesses such as water intoxication, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, all of which can leave you feeling sick for several days and/or develop into a life threatening situation. If you are on any medications, it is important to determine if those medications could contribute to the possibility of developing a heat related illness, as many medications (both prescription and over the counter meds) can negatively affect your body’s ability to regulate its water and electrolyte/salt balance. Educate yourself so you can take the proper precautions.

Dehydration happens when your body does not get enough water. It can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. We sweat around 1/2 to 1 quart of water each hour when hiking in the heat. Drink 1/2 to 1 quart each hour that you are hiking. Hydration packs are great for the hike on the Bright Angel trail because they make drinking water easy and accessible. Be aware of signs of dehydration: headache, dizziness, nausea, irritability, cool clammy skin and low output or dark colored urine.
Water Intoxication (also known as hyponatremia) is an improper ratio of salt (which is an electrolyte) to water in your body. In Grand Canyon, visitors are often so focused on consuming water while hiking that they neglect the other side of the equation: food. It is essential that you continually snack while hiking the Bright Angle Trail in order to maintain your electrolyte balance. The symptoms of water intoxication mimic those of dehydration; however, clear or light urine in conjunction with low food intake are important indicators.
SHARE THIS INFORMATION
Sharing this information with others in your group will ensure a healthy hike for everyone.

HIKING TIPS FOR THE DAY OF YOUR HIKE

NO FOOD, NO FUEL, NO FUN
Your body spends an enormous amount of energy (food calories) keeping you cool in the heat. Eating is your most important defense against exhaustion and water intoxication. Eat small amounts every 1/2 hour.
REPLACE IT
Everyone sweats around 1/2 to 1 quart of water and electrolytes each hour hiking in the heat. Do not wait until you are thirsty to start replacing fluids and electrolytes. By the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Drink 1/2 to 1 quart of electrolyte replacement drink each hour that you are hiking in the heat. We will provide you with a powdered electrolyte drink for your hike. In addition, we will also provide you with snacks. It is important that you eat even if you don't feel hungry. Eating will help balance the nutrients in your body.
REST IN THE SHADE
Stop and take a break if you find shade.
STAY WET AND STAY COOL
Keep yourself soaking wet to stay cool. Anytime you cross a stream or water pump, stop and dowse yourself. Allowing your clothes to evaporatively cool will reduce fluid, electrolyte, and energy loss significantly.
TAKE BREAKS
Every one half to one hour, take a seven to nine minute break. This break can flush out approximately 20-30% of the waste products that build up in your legs while hiking. Don't forget to have a snack while you are resting.
PACE YOURSELF
When you huff and puff, your body does not get enough oxygen to function efficiently. If you can talk while you are walking, you are walking the perfect speed.
STAY TOGETHER
Staying with the other members in your party is a good idea. This allows everyone to keep an eye on each other looking for signs of trouble such as dehydration. If you stick together and one member has trouble, there will be others to assist or to go for help.
LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
The less weight you carry in your pack will make your hike easier and more enjoyable.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Do not exceed what is your normal level of physical activity or training.
BEGIN HYDRATING THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR HIKE
Drink about 8 glasses of water before you go to sleep. The climate in Arizona is a dry heat. Your perspiration evaporates so fast that you might not realize you are dehydrating.
EAT A GOOD DINNER THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR HIKE
This meal will help give you the necessary fuel needed for your hike. Avoid drinking alcohol the evening before your hike as it exacerbates dehydration.
EAT BREAKFAST
Eat a light breakfast with essential nutrients and minerals to give you additional electrolytes.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET
Trim toe nails, and wear socks with heal and toe cushioning. Retighten laces throughout hike. Address blisters immediately.
SHARE THIS INFORMATION
Sharing this information with others in your group will ensure a healthy hike for everyone.