While Stacy and I have hiked it before, May 22, 2022, would be the first Rim-to-Rim hike for Alex and Maile. We organized a large group of friends, most hiking North-to-South but a few were hiking in the opposite direction.
Starting the Rim-to-Rim hike.
Daunting statistics: North Rim-to-South Rim = 23.5 miles, 5761 feet of elevation loss followed by 4380 feet of elevation gain. Fortunately, it was unseasonably cool on May 22, 2021, which made conditions for the hike optimal. It was quite windy and cold on both rims, but in the canyon it was ideal. Near freezing at the top, it was low 90’s at Phantom Ranch, 10 – 15 degrees cooler than normal at this time of year.