My friend Taylor and I decided to hike the Rim to Rim trail across the Grand Canyon during the Thanksgiving holiday this year. We are both teachers making it the perfect time to squeeze in an adventure, and just in time before its too late in the season. Overall we had an amazing time with incredible views and beautiful memories. In this post you will find our full itinerary, permit information, trail maps, my trail journal, and photos from our trip. You can also check out my other socials for more content and information on this adventure!
Itinerary
Day One: ~7.5 miles
- wake up at Mather Campground (South Rim)
- have breakfast and coffee at Yavapai Lodge
- begin from the Bright Angel Trailhead Note: This option adds 3 miles to the trip, but offers more frequent water and toilet access.
- hike to Havasipai Gardens Campground, then take the turnout for Tontonto Point.
- camp at Horn Creek Backcountry Site
Day Two: ~14 miles
- wake up at Horn Creek Backcountry Site
- hike to Colorado River and take a break on the beach
- lunch break at picnic table at Phantom Ranch (running water, flushing toilets)
- hike to Cottonwood Campground, set up camp and go to bed.
Day Three: ~7.5 miles
- wake up 6am and pack up in the dark
- hike up 4k+ ft elevation gain in 7 miles
- take the shuttle back to South Rim at 2pm
- stop for dinner at Yavapai Lodge (it was packed and I was carsick so we didn’t stay for dinner)
- camp at Mather Campground
Maps
Permit Information
COMING SOON
Gear List
*note* the links included here are affiliate links, so when you shop, or even just click these links you are supporting me! So thank you in advance!
We will be sharing Tay’s 2p tent and splitting the weight during the day.
I’ll be using my trusty ULA Circuit Backpack (68L).
Inside the pack:
Inside my my pack I have my 5 degree ultralight sleeping bag from Sea to Summit, an insulated sleeping pad, a sleeping bag liner, and an inflatable pillow.
Then I have a stuff sack with my sleeping clothes and my Jetboil Stash with a mini fuel canister and lighter inside.
Then I have another stuff sack with three days of food.
Not included in this video, I also decided to bring my Nemo switchback foam sleeping pad and strap it to the top of my pack.
- Sea to Summit: Spark Ultralight Sleeping Bag 5 degree
- Klymit: Statik V Insulated
- Sea to Summit: Thermo Reactor Sleeping Bag Liner
- Sea to Summit: Aeros Premium Pillow
- Stuff Sack with sleeping clothes
- Jetboil Stash (similar) + fuel
- Stuff Sack with food
- Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad
Outer Pouch
In the outer pouch of my pack I have my rain poncho, my toiletry bag and first aid kit, along with a puffy jacket with gloves in the pockets.
- Frogg Togg Rain Poncho
- Toiletry Kit
- First Aid Kit
- REI 650 Down Jacket
Side pockets:
In one of the side pockets I have a water filter and water bottle. I ended up bringing a second water bottle because some of the water sources were already turned off for the season
Then I attach my kula cloth and satelite device to the outside of the pack. In the hip pockets I carry a portable power bank, a headlamp, and a disposable camera.
- Katadyn Be Free water filter
- Smart Water Bottle
- Kula Cloth
- Garmin inReach mini
- Anker 2000 Power Bank
- Black Diamond Cosmo 350 Headlamp
- Disposable Camera
I will be wearing my favorite Altra Lone Peak trail runners and carrying hiking poles.
Trail Journal
Photos
Happy trails!
Bee's Wild Life 
Wow! Thank you for this amazing explicit itinerary with all the links you supplied. This will definitely be kept in mind for future reference. I loved all the photos as well. It looks like you had quite a Happy Adventure!
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