If you plan to hike in the Grand Canyon, you will need to be prepared. Before you take one of the Grand Canyon tours by bus, you will find that it is helpful to learn more about what it means to be prepared. Whether you plan to hike for a few hours or for a few days, you need to use discernment when taking any of the canyon trails.
While some trails offer some shade, other trails can be brutal – not so much because they are rocky, but because they expose hikers to the full effects of the sun. One of these trails is the Tonto Trail – a path that is not easy to take if you are not used to hiking far or doing so in an extremely hot climate. Tonto Trail is located at the Grand Canyon South Rim. It is important to review the trails you plan to take ahead of time and check out where they are located and their difficulty level. It is also crucial to know the trail’s proximity to the nearest water supply in case of dehydration.
Our Top Ten Tips On How To Hike The Canyon Right
The following 10 tips will ensure that your hiking adventure is memorable, safe, and fun.
1. Always Hike With Someone Else Or With A Group
Make sure when you hike any trail you are with a companion or a group. If anything goes wrong, you will have a way to more easily monitor things or get out of a bad situation faster than if you are alone. In the case of an emergency it is crucial to have other people there to help.
2. Remember: Less Is More When You Carry A Backpack
The less you carry in your backpack, the more you will enjoy your hike. Travel as lightly as you can while still bringing the necessary items for safety and survival. The heaviest items in a backpack should be water and food. Also, use a hiking stick to take any additional stress off the legs.
3. Wear Comfortable And Reliable Hiking Boots
Proper footwear is important in any outdoor activity. When hiking in the canyon it is recommended you wear hiking boots that will protect your feet and provide support while crossing the rocky terrain. You want to make sure your hiking boots are the right size and comfort level for your ankles and feet. That means they should fit well and be broken in for hiking before you get to the Grand Canyon. Boots that are lightweight are a good choice too.
4. Carry The Right Accessories
Besides wearing the right hiking boots, you also want to take certain accessories. Always bring a lightweight flashlight with a bulb and batteries, and wear sunglasses and sunscreen. It does not hurt to wear a wide-brimmed hat as well to protect your skin from the sun. Other accessories that keep you on track include a compass, map, or GPS. If you are taking a longer camping or overnight trip, of course, you will need a considerably larger list of gear to bring along.
5. Maintain A Reasonable Pace
While hiking in the Grand Canyon, it is important to maintain a reasonable pace. You don’t want to exert yourself too much, as doing so can cause you to use your energy too fast. When this happens, you do not get enough oxygen, which, in turn, creates a lot of waste products in your system. The waste that is created makes you feel nauseous and makes your legs feel heavy.
A good rule of thumb is to hike at a pace where you can still talk. This kind of pace will leave you feeling much better by the time you conclude your hike. While you may feel like you are walking too slow (taking baby steps up steep inclines), you will feel much better by the time you get to the end of the trail than if you were to rush yourself.
6. Be Good To Yourself
If you have a medical condition, such as asthma, a heart problem, back or knee pain, or diabetes, make some allowances while you hike. You will want to limit your degree of exertion or overall length of exposure to the heat. The climbing, altitude, and dehydration can all make certain medical conditions worse. Know your physical limitations if you plan to hike a canyon trail.
7. Always Take Breaks
Take a five-minute break every 30 to 45 minutes. Doing so can get rid of about 25% of the waste products that build up in the legs. Sit down and elevate your legs above heart level. When you use this technique, the gravity drains the metabolic waste products from the legs.
During your break, eat a salty snack and drink water. Take time to savor the view as well. By taking breaks every 30 to 45 minutes, you can refuel and stay in step without getting too fatigued.
8. Stay Hydrated And Nourished
When hiking the canyon, you can eat more than you normally would. That means you should consume food before, during, and after your hike. Always eat before you become hungry and drink water before you become thirsty. Regardless of the temperature, you need water and food to keep going on the trail.
Keeping yourself cool while hiking in the Grand Canyon takes a good deal of energy. Salty snacks and sports drinks or water should be taken on any hike. Your best defense against heat exhaustion or getting sick is to consume a nutritious breakfast and a snack whenever you take a drink of a sports beverage or water. Reward yourself with a full dinner at the day’s end. Don’t diet while you are hiking. It is important that you stay energized.
When you eat sufficient amounts of salty foods, you can easily replace the electrolytes or salt that you are losing. If you replace the water but do not replace the electrolytes (or salt that is sweated out of the body), you can develop a serious condition known as hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is a medical term that means “water intoxication.” If the condition is not treated, it can trigger seizures and may even be fatal. Eat about the twice amount your normally would to maintain your electrolyte and energy needs.
9. Check Your Time
If you need to hike uphill, plan on taking about twice the time it would take to hike downhill. Always give the right of way to uphill hikers on the trail. Again, going slower will produce less waste products and keep you from suffering heat exhaustion or a related illness.
10. Stay In Touch
Lastly, when hiking, you should always carry a mobile phone, or let others know which trail you plan to hike. If no one has heard from you, at least they will know where you are hiking and can check on you. Give friends and family the location of your hike and tell them the time of day you plan to visit the trail.
Making The Most Of A Planned Hike: Who To Contact For Transportation
If you are planning to take one of the Grand Canyon tours by bus, or taking a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon tour for the day, contact a tour provider, such as Grand Canyon Destinations. That way, you can plan your hiking itinerary and also have a way to get to and from the canyon in an easy and convenient way.
About Grand Canyon Destinations
REMARKABLE GRAND CANYON EXPERIENCES
Grand Canyon Destinations is family-owned, offering authentic local experiences at affordable pricing. We provide a lens into the Southwest that’s unlike any landmark excursion you’ve experienced before. We are the only Las Vegas-based bus tour company that does not use a check-in terminal. This allows for you to utilize our direct pickup system straight from your Las Vegas Strip or Downtown hotel. Convenient right?
We know that we provide the best Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas because of our commitment to our guests. We have convenient hotel pickups as well as included stops along your trip for food and restroom breaks. Join us to witness the wonder of the Grand Canyon. With a tour company who cares about you, you will have a great experience from start to finish.
