We arrived at the Grand Canyon entrance at 5:30 A.M., the sign read, “ Office closed, please proceed and enjoy your visit.” At the parking lot we prepared our camelbacks, fanny packs, etc. and awaited the bus to the trailhead. On the bus we exchanged pleasantries with other passengers and were asked about our plans for the day, all their faces turned to us in surprise when we said we planned a rim to rim to rim run.

At the trailhead the sunrise was spectacular. This was my second visit to the Grand Canyon; the first was only for 2 hours on my way to Las Vegas. J.P. had never visited, Paul has visited many times but not since he ran a Rim-To-Rim race in 1981 (3hrs 21 min., 2nd place) has he attempted to run across the Canyon again. John’s experience was a hike down to the river and back up with Paul last year.

Heading down the trail we were passing hikers as one said, “tell me you are running all the way to the bottom?” “We are,” I responded, “and running up the other side.” “All today?” he asked. “All today.” I replied. He screamed out, “You Animals.” This was one of many names we were called.

The trail was worn, the dirt was dry and loose, and care had to be taken as some of the cross-timbers seemed to jump out at your feet. We could not help but stop and marvel at the majestic sights the Canyon had to offer. Everywhere you looked there were great photo opportunities. We crossed the river about 8:30 A.M. our first water stop was at Bright Angel Campground (Elevation 2200 ft. Temperature 85 degrees).

After soaking our feet in Bright Angel Creek and having lunch (nuts, clif bars, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches), we continued on through Phantom Ranch on our way to Cottonwood Campground where we took another break. Up to this point the trail was downhill; it had leveled off after the river and half a mile up the trail from Cottonwood Campground was when the climbing began. We were taking breaks more frequently and our pace was considerably slower while the trails narrowed and demanded more attention. At times the trail turned into a cliff no more than 6 feet wide and several hundred feet up. The wind began to pick up and the temperature dropped as we neared the top; rain clouds were forming, the foliage was getting thicker and the trees were getting taller. Raindrops began to fall and what a relief as we arrived at the top 8000 feet above sea level about 60 degrees and dropping fast! Then, we found out it was still 1.5 miles to the lodge!

After a quick shower we had a beer and dinner at the lodge.

South Rim to North Rim 23.9 miles, time 9 hrs. 20 minutes.

Day 2 North rim to South Rim

We had a date with the south rim and had to get back to the car. We had a breakfast of coffee, scones, cinnamon rolls, bagels, and bananas at 6:30 A.M. The air was cold and the wind was still, and amazingly the ground was dry after a night of thunderstorms. We walked to the camp store to purchase additional snacks and energy drinks. A Park Ranger greeted us at the trailhead with a story of a rim to rimmer who had to be rescued the previous day. He was suffering from blisters and a sprained ankle and had to be carried out by mule. The Ranger wished us luck and advised us to take care.

Our sore legs were not too eager to run down into the canyon early on. After we warmed up and took off our jackets we began to run when possible. As we passed some hikers running they asked, “Rim to rimmers?” We said yes and they just shook their heads smiling. We met several people on the trail some were going rim-to-rim in two days, others in three and some boy scouts in four days. We met a couple that was also attempting a rim-to-rim-to-rim in two days and had started at the North rim.

The running was at a slower pace on day two. We took more breaks and kept reminding each other to conserve energy because we had a long climb ahead of us. Slowing down allowed us to notice more of the wildlife birds, squirrels, snakes, groundhogs, small lizards of all colors, some even striped. Again the temperature was very warm at the bottom of the Canyon and we cooled down at the creek. This time I submerged my whole body in the water.

Crossing the river we saw rafters and kayakers maneuvering the rapids, as we climbed the Bright Angel trail we also saw more day hikers. We could feel the top and wanted to surge forward. Near the top we saw some bighorn sheep; it’s amazing how these animals walk the steep slopes of the canyon with such ease.

As we looked up, the trail seemed to disappear into the canyon walls only to appear again with more switchbacks. Where is the top, I wondered?

Finally, we reached the top at 6:15 P.M. 24 miles, 10 hours and 30 minutes later. We high fived one another and headed for the lodge. Amazingly, seats at the bar became available as we approached to have the ceremonial beer.

SUCCESS! No serious injuries. The Grand Canyon! Will we do it again? Not any time soon.

Once outside the park we waddled out of the car and into Wendy’s to feed the furnace.

Driving back to Flagstaff we encountered the biggest obstacle of our trip, an Elk standing in the middle of the road. Fortunately we saw it in time and it proceeded to walk off the road.