For many years when we lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, my wife and I made many hikes in the Canyon. We often timed things so that we'd be in Phantom Ranch on Halloween ... of course knowing that this is a relatively =cool= time of year. We learned the ranger's "ghost stories" by heart. But - come here, and TAKE YOUR TIME. "Yes, you really will make it back to the rim." (And buy all the "swag" at the gift shop, knowing that you have now earned it ...) Stop overnight at Indian Gardens, take your flashlight and hike out to Plateau Point for sunset. The point of this journey is not your evening's destination, but the journey itself.
"It grows on you and grows on you and grows on you." Each and every time you return, you see something different. The Tonto Plateau trails (on both sides) are an entirely new and different hiking experience - you must bring all your water - but also not to be missed. My memory isn't perfect, but I think that we made Corridor-based hikes at least twenty-six times if not more. I'll emphasize one thing again: "GOOKINAIDE!" This is an electrolyte-replacement powder to mix into your water. (For me, every bottle. For my wife, every other one.) The first time we hiked to Phantom, my muscles were so locked-up that I wondered if I could make it up and down the four steps to the mess hall. Someone grabbed a packet from the counter inside and mixed us both a glass ... and "the little light went on." When you're hiking in the desert, you're sweating when you don't know it, and losing minerals. This very-simple thing will make all the difference in being able to hike in relative comfort. Keep a water-bottle IN YOUR HANDS. Take a sip from it every time you think about it. Refill your bottles at every opportunity, bearing in mind that water is turned off at 3-mile and 1-1/2-mile house in the wintertime. We also made it a point to keep a handful of water bottles in the top of our pack just in case we needed to give them away to other hikers.
@@mikerobinson9504 Wow, twenty-six times! That’s a lot of trips to Grand Canyon! I’ve definitely felt the effects of being depleted before and electrolytes will certainly bring the lights back on ha. Happy trails!
@@SensatiousHiatus "Twenty-six times" isn't a boast ... it's simply a statement of all the many things you can do here. "The key," if there be any, is to ... "allow days." Having spent so much time, money, and effort (maybe ...) to get here, don't be in a hurry to leave. It makes SUCH a difference!
Did this a couple of years ago, all the way to Indian Garden. Did not have the right equipment and time to hike down to the river, but..Man!!!...that's still on my Bucket List!! Nice vid, brings back good (and painful, hahahha) memories!
I hiked this to Indian Gardens & back last week, so I remember vividly every scene in this video. You need to allow time for another longer hike either down/up Indian Gardens, or a full down to the river or a full up in one day ( not both!). You would need to either camp by the river or plan to stay over at Phantom Ranch. But you have a good preview introduction to anyone who wants a sense of what it’s like. Hope you can get back again soon!
Looks like you have perfect weather. That place is so magical. I did the South to north hike last October. I completely missed the Dangerous overlook sign! It was a bit dark when we started.
I just read that a 41 year old lady died during this hike. You really must pace yourself and stay hydrated . She tried to do too much in a short period of time. Very sad.
Yep, I used the GoPro Hero 4 Silver. I would recommend hiking to Plateau Point if you’re in that area. That will take you past the 3 Mile Rest-house and Indian Gardens. I recently made a video on that hike too called “Best day hike in the Grand Canyon.” It is a bit longer of a hike, but definitely doable in the cooler months. Thanks for watching and enjoy Grand Canyon!
Just took my son to the Grand Canyon for the first time earlier this week (we're from Indiana) and told him about my friends and I VERY STUPIDLY making the Bright Angel Trail hike all the way to the river in 1990. I say very stupidly because we A) didn't leave until noon, B) only had a bottle of water each and C) took 1 granola bar each. To top it off, and if memory serves, the only place to get water or shade at that time was Indian Garden. Granted it was mid-May so not the hottest time of year but we were all 22-23, played high school sports so we were all young, in good shape, but we were completely over confident about how easy it would be. By the time all 5 of us made it out, it was dark, cold and we were completely exhausted. One of the guys kept a running journal for our month-long trip around the western US and titled that day of the trip 'The Day from Hell'. Obviously seeing and being in the canyon was awesome and unforgettable but the hike back up from the river left us with some mental scars some of us are still carrying! Thanks for sharing the video - definitely brings back some faint and somewhat painful memories!
Awesome story, glad it ended with all of you getting out! You guys are lucky, that's quite a day of hiking..thanks for sharing and checking out the video!
![My Experience Hiking the Grand Canyon | Bright Angel Trail [2023 Review]](/img/n.gif)
For many years when we lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, my wife and I made many hikes in the Canyon. We often timed things so that we'd be in Phantom Ranch on Halloween ... of course knowing that this is a relatively =cool= time of year. We learned the ranger's "ghost stories" by heart.
But - come here, and TAKE YOUR TIME. "Yes, you really will make it back to the rim." (And buy all the "swag" at the gift shop, knowing that you have now earned it ...) Stop overnight at Indian Gardens, take your flashlight and hike out to Plateau Point for sunset. The point of this journey is not your evening's destination, but the journey itself.
Very well said! Taking it slow on a hike is excellent advice! I can’t wait to return to Grand Canyon!
"It grows on you and grows on you and grows on you." Each and every time you return, you see something different. The Tonto Plateau trails (on both sides) are an entirely new and different hiking experience - you must bring all your water - but also not to be missed. My memory isn't perfect, but I think that we made Corridor-based hikes at least twenty-six times if not more.
I'll emphasize one thing again: "GOOKINAIDE!" This is an electrolyte-replacement powder to mix into your water. (For me, every bottle. For my wife, every other one.) The first time we hiked to Phantom, my muscles were so locked-up that I wondered if I could make it up and down the four steps to the mess hall. Someone grabbed a packet from the counter inside and mixed us both a glass ... and "the little light went on." When you're hiking in the desert, you're sweating when you don't know it, and losing minerals. This very-simple thing will make all the difference in being able to hike in relative comfort.
Keep a water-bottle IN YOUR HANDS. Take a sip from it every time you think about it. Refill your bottles at every opportunity, bearing in mind that water is turned off at 3-mile and 1-1/2-mile house in the wintertime.
We also made it a point to keep a handful of water bottles in the top of our pack just in case we needed to give them away to other hikers.
@@mikerobinson9504 Wow, twenty-six times! That’s a lot of trips to Grand Canyon! I’ve definitely felt the effects of being depleted before and electrolytes will certainly bring the lights back on ha. Happy trails!
@@SensatiousHiatus "Twenty-six times" isn't a boast ... it's simply a statement of all the many things you can do here. "The key," if there be any, is to ... "allow days." Having spent so much time, money, and effort (maybe ...) to get here, don't be in a hurry to leave. It makes SUCH a difference!
@@mikerobinson9504 Allowing days is great advice. The more time I spend there, the more I appreciate it
Did this a couple of years ago, all the way to Indian Garden. Did not have the right equipment and time to hike down to the river, but..Man!!!...that's still on my Bucket List!! Nice vid, brings back good (and painful, hahahha) memories!
Thanks for checking it out! I really miss living out there!
I hiked this to Indian Gardens & back last week, so I remember vividly every scene in this video. You need to allow time for another longer hike either down/up Indian Gardens, or a full down to the river or a full up in one day ( not both!). You would need to either camp by the river or plan to stay over at Phantom Ranch. But you have a good preview introduction to anyone who wants a sense of what it’s like. Hope you can get back again soon!
Thanks for the kind words, advice, and for checking out the video! I hope I can make it back soon again too!
Looks like you have perfect weather. That place is so magical. I did the South to north hike last October. I completely missed the Dangerous overlook sign! It was a bit dark when we started.
A magical place indeed...thanks for checking it out!!
Gorgeous morning light and great views
Indeed it's a beautiful trail to do in the early morning...thanks for checking it out!
Dang - You could fall off that trail right down into that M'fer
I just read that a 41 year old lady died during this hike. You really must pace yourself and stay hydrated . She tried to do too much in a short period of time. Very sad.
What kind of camera were you using? A GoPro?
I’m looking to hike Bright Angel. Possibly to 3 Mile rest stop or Indian Gardens.
Yep, I used the GoPro Hero 4 Silver. I would recommend hiking to Plateau Point if you’re in that area. That will take you past the 3 Mile Rest-house and Indian Gardens. I recently made a video on that hike too called “Best day hike in the Grand Canyon.” It is a bit longer of a hike, but definitely doable in the cooler months. Thanks for watching and enjoy Grand Canyon!
Awesome!!! Thanks!! I’ll
check it out!
Just took my son to the Grand Canyon for the first time earlier this week (we're from Indiana) and told him about my friends and I VERY STUPIDLY making the Bright Angel Trail hike all the way to the river in 1990. I say very stupidly because we A) didn't leave until noon, B) only had a bottle of water each and C) took 1 granola bar each. To top it off, and if memory serves, the only place to get water or shade at that time was Indian Garden. Granted it was mid-May so not the hottest time of year but we were all 22-23, played high school sports so we were all young, in good shape, but we were completely over confident about how easy it would be. By the time all 5 of us made it out, it was dark, cold and we were completely exhausted. One of the guys kept a running journal for our month-long trip around the western US and titled that day of the trip 'The Day from Hell'. Obviously seeing and being in the canyon was awesome and unforgettable but the hike back up from the river left us with some mental scars some of us are still carrying!
Thanks for sharing the video - definitely brings back some faint and somewhat painful memories!
Awesome story, glad it ended with all of you getting out! You guys are lucky, that's quite a day of hiking..thanks for sharing and checking out the video!
so nice - thank you
Nice
i guess some lady just died on this trail ...
Such a beautiful view!
DO NOT YELL AT WILDLIFE . STOPPED WATCHING WHEN YOU YELLED AT THE SQUIRREL.
Lol