Please post triplogs and photos to this page for all rim-rim hikes regardless if it's R2R, R2R2R (aka R3, Rim Cubed, etc.) or even R2R2R2R2R2R (R6 ping pong dual). Thank you!

Terminology
SK - South Kaibab
NK - North Kaibab
BA - Bright Angel
OBA - Old Bright Angel

Routes
SK -> NK 19.85mi / 6,200 AEG
NK -> BA 22.15mi / 4,800 AEG
SK -> NK -> BA 44.50mi / 11,000 AEG
SK -> NK -> SK 42.00mi / 11,000 AEG

SK -> NK -> KP -> OBA -> NK -> BA
48.00mi / 11,500 AEG

These are realistic numbers from hours of intricate map work. Adjust in your triplogs as you see fit.

Page Stats reflect Rim to Rim to Rim Hike: I can not explain why anyone would attempt to hike from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the North Rim and return to the South Rim in less than 24 hours. We first started talking about a RTRTR in 1995, but the spring rains washed out the North Kaibab Trail. Finally, in April 2002, three of us (ages 55, 56 and 58) made the trip. Depending on which trails you select, the distance is 44.5 to 47 miles. We opted to use the South Kaibab, North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails for our hike.

We selected a date when there was to be a full moon. We started our serious preparation four months in advance with weekly hikes of increasing difficulty and distance. Because of the proximity of the White Tank Mountains most of our hiking was done there. For variety, we also hiked the Quartz Peak Trail, Flat Iron, Reavis Ranch, Phoenix Mountain Preserve and Squaw Peak.

We left Phoenix at 7:30 AM. We stopped for breakfast at Denny's in Verde Valley en route and arrived at the Grand Canyon National Park a little after noon. The original plan was to have lunch, take a nap, and start hiking at approximately 5:00 PM. However, we were full from our big breakfast and no one felt like eating. So, we caught the shuttle bus to Yaki Point and started our hike at 1:30 PM. (We would have been better served by spending the night at the Canyon and starting at sunrise.) It is 7.2 miles from Yaki Point to Phantom Ranch and there is loss of 4840 feet in elevation between the trailhead and the Colorado River.

From Phantom Ranch, we took the North Kaibab Trail. It is 14 miles from Phantom Ranch to the North Rim with a 5821 foot elevation gain. It got dark as we arrived at the caretakers house below Roaring Springs. A heavy cloud cover hid the full moon so we hiked by the light of our Petzl Tikka headlamps, rather than the hoped for moonlight. We topped out at the North Rim at 9:40 PM and immediately headed back for Phantom Ranch. At Phantom Ranch, we took the River Trail and the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim. It is 9.4 miles and an elevation gain of 4480 from Phantom Ranch to the Bright Angel Trailhead. We topped out at approx 11:30 AM, 22 hours after we started. Our RTRTR was a total distance of 44.5 miles with 20,802 feet total elevation change (Or 3.95 miles).

Suggestions for someone undertaking a RTRTR: lighten the load by stashing food and equip, eat and drink continually, take good flash lights, layer clothing, be prepared for all weather extremes, and use hiking sticks. Water is available at Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, Roaring Springs, North Rim if it is officially open), and Indian Gardens
- May 01 2002 lobo41

Grand Canyon NPS Reports  RIM TO RIM SHUTTLE
A shuttle service is provided seasonally between the between the North and South Rims for a fee by Trans Canyon Shuttle (a park permittee). One trip each way daily. Call (928) 638-2820. Scheduled service available until Oct. 15. Charter service available until Oct. 31. Reservations required. $65 one-way; $110 round-trip. Departs North Rim 7:00 a.m.; Arrives South Rim noon; departs South Rim 1:30 p.m.; arrives North Rim 6:30 p.m.

HIKER SHUTTLE A shuttle to the North Kaibab trailhead is available 5:20 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. daily. Cost is $5 for first person and $2 for each additional person. Purchase tickets at Grand Canyon Lodge front desk. Pick-up point is in front of the lodge.