We checked out the North Rim of the Grand Canyon last year, so this year, we explored the South Rim. We wanted to challenge ourselves with a strenuous day hike, and the South Kaibab Trail certainly fit the bill. If you’ve never hiked at the Grand Canyon, you probably shouldn’t start with this trail, and if you do, don’t say I didn’t warn you! But if you know what you’re getting yourself into and are looking for a trail that will kick your butt, the South Kaibab Trail is it!
The trail begins near Yaki Point with a sweeping panoramic view of the natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon.
From the trailhead, it’s a steep descent down the switchbacks cut into the rock.
This trail is so steep that even going down is tiring, especially when you’re carrying 20 pounds of camera gear on your back. So I took a lot of breaks to rest and admire the views.
After a while, the ramp of the trail turns into stairs, which somehow made it seem steeper.
Presenting: a view of Cedar Ridge, from somewhere near Ooh Aah Point.
We had planned to go all the way to Skeleton Point, but when we saw how inviting and beautiful Cedar Ridge was (and realized that we still had to go back up), we decided to stop.
You don’t haul a tripod into the Grand Canyon and leave without getting a shot like this:
This was, hands down, the most difficult hike I’ve ever done. I don’t recommend it unless you are willing to be physically punished. But if that sounds appealing, you won’t be disappointed! It’s an astonishingly beautiful trek and something that everyone should see with their own eyes!
tresamusantephoto.com 