It does n’t matter whether you actually have atravel bucket listor not , pretty much everyone in America wants to see the Grand Canyon . And who can blame them ? It ’s only the most imperial and awe - inspiring lot in the country . It ’s also one of the most deadly . About 250 people are rescued from the Grand Canyon each year , often the result of wrong planning and/or make dunce conclusion ( i.e. , do n’t endure attire bum into the canyon , just do n’t ) . So , in an movement to make your trip safe , easier , and all around more gratifying , here are the most vernacular mistake – some annoying , others fateful – people make when shoot the breeze the Grand Canyon .
Failing to plan your visit to the park
You would n’t result for New York City with no idea of where you ’re staying , what you ’re going to do , or even how long it ’s gon na take to get there , would you ? Of of course , not . Yet amazingly , some flee - by - the - tooshie - of - their - pants tourer do n’t plananyof their trip to the Grand Canyon and are so overwhelmed when they get in that the day pretty much begins and end at the visitors ’ center . Be saucy and do a little online recon before you go . explore the hiking trails and regain one that matches your ability , rather than just barrel down the first one you see .
Trying to dowaaaaaytoo much
On the flip side , some people essay to hike to the bottom , see Havasu Falls , and ride to Hermit ’s residual all in an good afternoon . Slow down there , camper . The canyon is 277 miles long , 18 mile wide , and 6,000 ft mystifying , and you could live in it your entire life and never see everything . To give you even more position , you couldput every someone on Earth in the canon , and still not fill up it up . cull one matter to do per daylight , maybe two if you ’re feeling challenging . But just live with that you ca n’t do it all .
Not realizing how far it is from Las Vegas
If you watched too manyNational Lampoonmovies , you probably think the Grand Canyon is just on the outskirts of Las Vegas . After two hours of aim in the desert , however , you ’ll realize the Griswolds were exaggerating . The trip takes four hour – with no dealings – and strain to get there ( and back ) in a day is a guaranteed fashion to drop more sentence in the car than at the canon . Flagstaff is only a little over an time of day aside , and probably a safe point of departure . Or at least , a good place to spend the even after you ’ve see .
Arriving without a National Park Pass
What , you consider you ’d just drive decent up and take a gander at one of the nation ’s greatest natural wonders like you possess the shoes ? Ha ! This is America : there ’ll be a charge for that . And every aurora , an epic geartrain of motorcar waits in a easy - moving business line to pay that fee . Buy a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass before you go , however , and you ’ll zip through one of the shorter , faster line .
Wearing the wrong shoes when hiking in
Yes , those retro Jordans you get are indeed “ mad tight , yo . ” But they ’re also mad uncomfortable and mad dysfunctional if you try and wear off them to hike through the desert . If you ’re planning a trip that involves more than just a glance fromthe observation deck , buy a pair of tramp rush with secure traction and ankle support . You do n’t need to go blow half your payroll check at REI , but consider the shoes a cost of the trip . Then break them in for a few weeks so you ’re not fight bulla during your raise .
Forgetting the hike out is a LOT harder than the hike in
You ’re in all probability familiar with the jurisprudence of physical science , and that fighting gravity is more physically exerting than going with it . But you may not translate on the button HOW much more exerting until you ’ve been walk up a rock cliff in 110 - degree warmth for an hour and have n’t even get under one’s skin a quarter of the way back . retrieve , you ’re doing the reverse of climbing a mountain . Hiking down it first , then up ! So consider of your hike into the canyon as a warmup ; the real work originate when you get to the bottom . Just be sure to ration out your food , water , and time accordingly . And speaking of time , depending on how far you intend to go , it ’s a good idea to allow for BEFORE 7 am . The temp are cool , and you bequeath yourself more clock time to hike out assume fatigue set in .
Not bringing/drinking enough water
This is utterly one of the crowing and most common error visitors make . Temperatures in the canyon climb upward of 110 degree . 110 ! And no , just because “ it ’s a ironic heat ” does n’t mean it wo n’t completely kick your ass / mayhap kill you if you do n’t stay hydrous . Park rangers recommend drinkinga gallon of water a daylight . And with only a handful of places to fill again along the trail , you ’ll need to BYOG . severely , we can not stress this enough – add A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF WATER . And salute it !
Assuming the weather is the same throughout the Canyon
The North Rim is mountainous terrain , almost like Colorado . The South Rim is desert , like New Mexico . And the rest of the canon deviate wildly . So if you show up at the North Rim line up for the scorch hot desert of the South Rim – in spring – you might notice yourself wearing short in the Charles Percy Snow . Check the weather for the SPECIFIC part of the canon you ’re visiting and dress consequently .
Not reserving lodging ahead of time
If you want to stay in an actual , like , room while you ’re at the Grand Canyon , your options are pretty slim . The South Rim has a few guild and the El Tovar Hotel . And options at on the North Rim are even slight , with only the Grand Canyon Lodge . Book these before you even book your aeroplane tickets – like months in advance – as they trade out early .
Forgetting to obtain a backcountry permit
For obvious reason , the park confine how many people can be hiking in the backcountry at any given time . So if you ’re planning to camp / drop the night anywhere other than a designated campsite on one of the rims , you ’ll need to get a permission . And they go deucedly tight . recollect , four MILLION people chitchat the Grand Canyon each class . Permits become available to the public on the first of the month , five month before the month of the Trachinotus falcatus . If you do n’t snag one , you may have to delay your trip another month . NOTE : this does n’t hold if you ’re just taking a short day hike in and out .
Not following the rules for mules
And , no , not the meth - smuggling kind . The four - legged variety that hump people ( and their gear ) up and down the canon so they do n’t have to do work as severely . It ’s a unique thing to the Grand Canyon and has its own solidifying of rule . Should you encounter a mule convoy : 1 ) abuse off the trail to the uphill side ; 2 ) rest perfectly still ; and 3 ) do not move until the last scuff is 50 foundation ahead of you . When you see how narrow the trail are , you ’ll understand why the rules are so important .
Packing an insufficient amount of food
Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock
ronnybas/Shutterstock
Flickr/grand_canyon_nps
Flickr/nasonurb
kravka/Shutterstock
Flickr/grand_canyon_nps
Flickr/grand_canyon_nps
