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In the Grand Canyon, the "official" AZT does down the South Kaibab trail and up the North Kaibab trail.

Would it be considered "cheating" if I hiked the Bright Angel trail instead?

The South Kaibab has no water, and only a single restroom. The Bright Angel has (I believe) two restrooms, three water spots, AND a campground! (I can split the hike out into two days!)

Could I still say "I've hike the Arizona Trail"?

P.S. You know you're getting old when your plans include restrooms!

@garyc57

I would not call it cheating, as that implies there are some formal rules or laws governing a true completion of AZT Trail and if its good enough for you, who cares what others say?

However, that being said, I think most section hikers and thru-hikers would say that it is not a true completion of AZT Trail. I have heard several stories from other HAZers about "purist" going back and completing small sections because they got off trail, exited trail too early, missed/cut a switch back, or skipped a section of forest road etc..

In your situation, you would not be merely skipping a mile of boring forest road somewhere, but you would be taking a completly different route, one that offers better trails and amenities in lieu of a more challenging section..

garyc57 wrote:Could I still say "I've hike the Arizona Trail"?

Absolutely you can say that in complete honesty... after all, you aren't saying "I hiked every inch of the AZT"
(Even though I have only hiked a few sections, I could still truthfully say "I've hiked the AZT too!")

If I was doing the same thing I wouldn't care what ANYONE ELSE thinks... if some 'purist' happens to have a cow over one slight modification, that's their problem, not yours. I'd say it is none of their business...

But... when you do complete it, just don't be celebratin' in some illegal manner like the folk who somehow think they are better than others and have the right to act above the law.

CannondaleKid wrote: If I was doing the same thing I wouldn't care what ANYONE ELSE thinks... if some 'purist' happens to have a cow over one slight modification, that's their problem, not yours. I'd say it is none of their business...

I couldn't agree more!

I don't feel compelled to form an opinion on whether it's cheating, but I will say that it doesn't take so long to get down the South Kaibab that lack of a water source should be an issue in more temperate months. As I recall, Mrs. big_load and I took less than four hours, mostly because she wasn't in good shape at the time.

One thing, the Bright Angel trail is almost three miles longer than South Kaibab.

Another thing, unless you need to poo, I don't really think a restroom is necessary as both trails already stink from all the mule piss. Nobody's going to notice any garyc57 urine mixed in.

rcorfman wrote:Nobody's going to notice any garyc57 urine mixed in.

Bruno and his buddies might disagree with that statement. Just sayin..... ;)

My best time down the SK was just under 2.5 hours ... water and restrooms not a big concern on the trip down it. That said - I say hike your own hike and enjoy!

SuperstitionGuy wrote:Bruno and his buddies might disagree

I like good smells! But I'm not allowed to walk there anyway.

I went for a short walk on the top of Bright Angel Trail once. From Kolb Studio over to the trailhead. I didn't go past the sign where it says I'm not allowed to go but I still got yelled at by a lot of uppity who obviously could have used a rest house to remove the stick. Did you know I love chasing sticks!?

It's almost as if they couldn't see how cute I am! :whistle:

They obviously also couldn't read the posted sign. And people think that I'm the dumb one! :roll:

If disgusting experiences are your "thang", then I highly recommend hiking the Bright Angel Trail. I hiked it twice back in '99, my first and last time. As I remember there is a six inch wide, mule piss infused rut that thousands of newbie hikers are trying to claim as their own. If that's your idea of fun, then have at it.

@big_load
Agreed. You will find that the South Kaibab is BEAUTIFUL!! in ways that BA has lost due to the need for much more maintenance. It's shorter and you'll be at the river / Phantom Ranch in no time (well, maybe not that fast - but it travels well). Either way, you've still walked from Mexico to Utah and you still went through the Canyon to get there. But don't be afraid of SK - you'll love it!

I tend to agree with the SK proponents. It's short, so surely you can carry enough water. The views are stupendous. And there are a couple of restrooms along the route.

cactuscat wrote:My best time down the SK was just under 2.5 hours ...

That's about what I'd do if it were cool enough to step on the gas. I edited out mentioning that it was 10F when we started down, so we also spent extra time changing clothes along the way. In my current condition, I'd even be tempted to return via SK. The BA was frustrating because I couldn't get around large groups of very slow people between Indian Garden and the rim. The extra time under a heavy pack was harder for me than the extra work of climbing faster.

@big_load
Yep - every time I did rim to river, I went down and back up the SK ... partly because that's where my car was parked, but mostly cuz it's so much shorter. Even up the SK isn't bad as long as it's not too hot out.

garyc57

Like has been mentioned above if you are a north bound AZT hiker it really matters not which trail you take of the BA SK options. So I would recommend the SK since it eliminates any concerns.

If you are a south bound AZTer it makes a BIG difference which trail you choose. I just did a north rim to south rim one day hike using the Nk and then the SK. It was 95 F in Phantom Ranch when I headed for the river bridge. Going up the SK in such temps with a pack and all requires a big load of water. I took 5 liters and was right at empty when I topped out. And I was not fully hydrated anymore either. It is a sweaty walk when its hot. The BA in such circumstances is much less of a severe test with its several water sources and less steep climb.

@Wyoming
Thanks for your thoughts. BTW, I passed you and... [edit Goliath (dang memory!)] on the South Rim segment, in the early morning hours, about 1.5 miles before the lookout tower. I haven't gotten around to posting that triplog yet.

P.S. The great thing about senility is that you can play Hide-the-Easter-Eggs with yourself!
P.P.S. I appreciate your comments about the Mazatzal segment. I was thinking about doing Mt. Peely TH to LF Ranch in two days. Not going to happen now. It'll have to be three days.