South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point

If you want to see the real Grand Canyon, this is it. The 3 day backpacking will take you down into the canyon to where few people visit. Although the South Kaibab trail is steep, has no shade cover and water and the views are gorgeous. It is best to start from the South Kaibab, hike down to the Bright Angel campground, and back up the Bright Angel trail. This way you get a change of scenery an...

There are many ways in and out of the Grand Canyon but the most popular loop is to descend from the South Rim, heading down the steeper South Kaibab Trail and returning up via the easier Bright Angel Trail. Your adventure starts early to beat the sun (and get the views). After getting your permits (you'll need to book these well in advance, even a year ahead for peak season) at the backcountry...

To access the trailhead, you must take a shuttle in. There is not parking next to the trailhead because the parking lot is very small. From the trailhead you cascade down several steep switchbacks and continue on until you reach Ooh Ah point. Ooh Ah point is a great place for a wide or panoramic picture and is a fantastic rest spot. Continuing on from Ooh Ah point, after several steep and windi...

This run is an extreme adventure and requires lots of planning and training. The risk for injury or heat related illness is high, so take precautions and don't run alone. Group sizes of 12-30 require a $175 permit from the NPS. These trails are popular with runners, hikers, and backpackers; please be respectful on the trail. There are a few ways to run R2R2R, with the popular option being d...

Note: The spot on the map is the beginning of the hike into Cremation Canyon Campground. For the full report on getting there, check out this adventure. Heading out of the campsite at Cremation Canyon, look for hints of a trail where you will scramble up, following other boot prints and cairns that lead the way. Head up through a saddle and look for Piano Alley (giant rocks that have rolled do...

The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long and is full of unique geological formations in all sorts of colors. One of the most striking aspects of the Grand Canyon is its immense scale and the dynamic landscapes it has to offer. There's something about it that makes it extremely difficult to fully capture the scale of it all through photos. The Grand Canyon definitely cannot be fully appreciated w...