The beginning of your success is at the end of your comfort zone.
by Cindy Rollins, Board Member, The Launch Pad Teen Center and Trek for Teens Committee Member
Hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in one day requires months of training and preparation. The Launch Pad Trek for Teens committee is here to help you plan and train for a successful experience!
Our first group hike prior to October’s big hike will be the Yeager Canyon Loop in Cottonwood on Sunday, April 25 at 8 a.m. (Yeagar Canyon loop, 6 miles, 1,566-feet elevation gain).
For a little perspective: The most common route, down the North Rim’s North Kaibab Trail and up the South Rim’s Bright Angel Trail, is 24 miles with an elevation loss of 5,850 feet followed by a gain of 4,460 feet — so you’ll need physical endurance for the length of the trek as well as the elevation gain of the final miles. Plan between 10-16 hours to complete this hike.
The best way to test your readiness is to take some long, steep hikes while carrying a pack like the one you’d take into the canyon. Train at various times of day to prepare for the changing temperature of the canyon. Expect ranges between below 32 degrees to over 115 degrees during your rim-to-rim Canyon hike. We also suggest using hiking poles on the training hikes.
Trek for Teens will be posting group training hikes every other weekend. We recommend downloading the All Trails app to get a map and track your route. Also you will be invited to join the Trek for Teens Strava group (on the Strava app) to share your training hikes.
Each week we will be posting a weekly hike goal, with a preferred elevation gain/loss. We will also be posting strength training and cross training exercises to build strength and flexibility for this endeavor. We encourage you to share your weekly hikes and training logs/photos on social media and on the Trek for Teens Strava group.
Please note we will schedule a cut off time for completion on several of the longer training hikes as we get closer to the event to ensure you are ready to hike the rim-to-rim in October. Please note if you cannot make the cutoff, we will supply you with an alternative day hike in and out of the south rim.
If you want to join Trek for Teens and support local youth while training or have any questions, please call the Rek for Teens committee at 928-227-0758.
Photo: DJ Sheridan