The term “magical” gets tossed around all too freely by outdoors enthusiasts but describing hiking at the Grand Canyon in winter is not one of those occasions. There is nothing quite like a dusting of newly fallen snow to make six million year old rock formations look fresh and alive.
Winter hiking options at the Grand Canyon
There are two types of day hiking in the winter at the Grand Canyon – on the rim (the South Rim, the North Rim is closed) and below the rim. The rim trail is mostly level and paved for most of its 13-mile jaunt from the South Kaibib Trailhead to Hermits Rest. Hiking along the canyon rim is often more pleasurable in winter than summer since you trade the oppressive summer heat for brisk, invigorating temperatures. The crowds are also thinner and photographers can take advantage of the captivating lower angle of the sun. Keep an eye out for ice patches that may exist on the macadam under pinion pines that shade the trail in places. And be certain to carry water as there are only water stops (pure Grand Canyon spring water!) in the Grand Canyon Village and at the western terminus in Hermits Rest.
At some point everyone wants to hike at least a little ways down into the Grand Canyon. In the winter this becomes problematic from the first step. While the below-the-rim trails remain open in the winter, the steep footpaths can be completely icy at the top, especially early in the morning before the sun illuminates the inside of the canyon. While no one wants to ever fall on the ice, doing so on the edge of a cliff is especially undesirable.
The solution is over-the-shoe traction devices. The Canyon Village Market and General Store rents and sells buckle-on crampons. Another popular option, especially if a great deal of winter hiking is in your future, are Yaktrax cleats that stretch steel coils across the entire surface of your shoe or boot. Combined with a trekking pole the stability and confidence these tools will provide will make Grand Canyon winter hiking downright fun.
Into the backcountry
Hiking deep into the canyon, with its elevation changes of many thousands of feet, always requires extra planning. In the winter this means caution with clothing to prevent hypothermia. If you hike any distance into the Grand Canyon you will end up sweating on even the coldest days – and while drenched clothing is an ally in summer, it is a potential killer in winter. Cotton fibers will not dry once quickly once they become wet so you need synthetic fibers that do not absorb water and are designed to wick away accumulated moisture on your skin.
Backcountry winter hiking in the Grand Canyon is a highly anticipated experience for many trail tramps. The National Park Service stands ready to assist in the adventure with tips and information on trail conditions. Always check in with the ranger station before setting out on a long hike in this true winter wonderland.
