Grand Canyon Rim2Rim Run
The North Rim to South Rim of the Grand Cayon (Rim2Rim) has been tagged and bagged by Caite Kappel and Daniel Elgort. 2 Runners, 25.5 miles logged and $2,500 raised for the cause!
Date of Completion: 11/10/2023
Mode of Travel: Running
Distance: 25.57 miles
Elevation: We started at the North Rim (8,000 ft+ elevation) down the North Kaibob Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim, with about 5,000 ft of total elevation gain.
Time: Moving time 6:22:30 Elapsed Time: 8:57:57
Levels of Support: Unsupported (2 runners)
Trip Report: We set off to run from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim via the North Kaibob Trail to the Bright Angel Trail on November 10th. Logistically R2R is challenging at this time of year because the North Rim Lodge closes on October 31st , as well as any trail services/support on this side of the canyon. We got a ride from St. George, Utah (about 3 hours away) that dropped us off at the Trailhead and we were off. We started our run around 8:15am. We carried hydration vests which had 3L of water in it, as well as electrolytes and tons of calories in the form of mostly gels. It was freezing cold on the NR with about 25 degree temps, but soon once we started transcending down the NK trail the temps started to warm up. We shed all our layers about a mile down the trail. This part of the canyon is so stunning because there is no one around and it is heavily wooded at the top, as well as very rocky trails.
By the first rest stop the canyon transforms to cliffs with steep drop offs and red rock. We hit the Supai tunnel next, which is a tunnel in the canyon. We continued the steep descent through a number of switch backs. The trail is well maintained but there are definitely a lot of boulders/rocks to avoid, as well as the steep drops on the side of the trail. You descend 8,000 ft+ to get to the base of the canyon, which tears up your quads on the way down. Finally after a few hours of running down we hit the base of the canyon, know as “The Box” which is stunningly beautiful as you run along the BA creek (the creek that feeds into the Colorado River).
It was about 60 degrees by this point, but much more manageable than the 100-120 degrees it can hit during the summer/early fall. After passing a few more campgrounds, we made it to Phantom’s Ranch which is campground/canteen near the crossing of the Colorado River. We got the famous lemonade and sent 3 postcards to be delivered by mule train.
We then crossed the Colorado River on the suspension bridge and prepared for the run out and up the Bright Angel trail. We made it Havasupai gardens where we knew the real climbing was about to begin. The last 5 miles are straight up the canyon. The BA trail crosses the BA creek several times with no way across except to get your shoes wet. It was slow going but we kept pushing onward and upward, hitting 3 mile resthouse and then 1.5 mile resthouse. We even saw some mountain goats that welcomed us to the South Rim. Finally we went under the final underpass and could see the top/BA Trailhead.
Additional Details: Funds raised for Dawgpatch: $2,458
