The Grand Canyon is such an unbelievable place and geological phenomenon, and we truly believe that, if you’re a hiker to the core, at some time in your life you need to hike the Grand Canyon from rim-to-river-to-rim. This tour gives us a warm up hike in Sedona, before traveling around to the secluded North Rim. We hike to the bottom on the north side, and back up to the South Rim where a celebration dinner will be in order. With a fall hike, we may encounter snow on the north rim – a stark contrast to the trapped heat we will feel at the bottom. We’ll descend from the ponderosa forests at the rim through the layers of Kaibab limestone, Coconino sandstone and hermit shale to the Colorado at the base of the Canyon. The variety within the Canyon is overwhelming. The land forms, the colors, the spectacular vistas, that first sighting of the Colorado – every switchback along the trail is its own visual and sensual adventure.
The Route:
We start with a warm up hike in the Sedona area, staying in a newly renovated hotel in the heart of the town. Our transition day drive includes passing through native American land, with the mandatory stop at the Cameron Trading Post for some native culture. Then we drive through Marble Canyon where the California Condor fly, and continue past the Vemillion cliffs, on our way to the north rim. Sadly, the Grand Canyon Lodge on the north rim burned down in July of 2025. The nearby historic Kaibab Lodge is a perfect replacement for our preparation night before entering the canyon. The long walk to the Colorado River ends at Phantom Ranch, the only lodging available below the rim of Grand Canyon. We have two nights to enjoy the bottom of the canyon, with options for some short hikes, a visit to the river to watch the rafters, or time to just soak your feet in the Bright Angle Creek. Our ascent to the south rim on the next day culminates with a stay in the newly renovated Maswik lodge, with its convenient location near the rim in the middle of Grand Canyon Village. A celebration dinner is in order, on the canyon rim, overlooking the sunset that brings the canyon colors to life.
