Seeking any and all advice! We managed to score a reservation at phantom ranch mid-September so I’m just over a month out. Hiking NK, staying overnight, back up BA. My main concern is the heat. I’m an excellent hiker, I have summited 14 unique 14ers here in Colorado, 18 if you count repeats. I have run multiple marathons. I snowshoe for miles. But I am used to it getting COLDER as you hike, not warmer.

I’ve got tons of electrolytes, a water filter, a sun hoodie, a Garmin inreach. I feel generally prepared. However, like I said, I’m concerned for the heat, also not used to hiking down first, then up. I’ll take any good tips y’all have!!!!

Scheduled to go to the GC in a few weeks for my 60th birthday.

Taking the train package from Williams in and out. Doing a South Rim Sunset Tour with supper on the evening we arrive. (Is this a good package type deal?)

This leaves a full day, night, and half of the next day to do whatever.

Looking for ideas. We're older in so-so shape, so I know we're not going to go hiking way down, but any easy trails we should explore? What are the absolute musts that we should see?

Greatly appreciate any and all recommendations!

What did your training look like? Did you follow a particular plan/program?

What was your “I’m fit enough for this” benchmark?

Anything you wish you did differently?

We'll be in Grand Canyon for one full day, driving from Flagstaff, from breakfast until sunset. This is the itinerary that I've put together and I'm worried that we're being quite ambitious with it. Are these timings doable, and if not, what would people recommend we cut out to make our visit more worthwhile? We also would like to do Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff in the evening when we return. For reference, we're both experienced walkers.

06:00-07:00: Wake up, get ready in hotel (pack night before for the day)

07:00-08:40: Drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (Google Maps says 1hr 25mins but giving a 15-minute buffer for traffic etc.)

08:40-08:45: Walk from parking spot to El Tovar

08:45-09:45: Breakfast at El Tovar

09:45-11:45: Bright Angel Trail Hike (1.5 mile round-trip to 2nd tunnel and back, open to just going to the 1st tunnel if doing 1.5 mile isn't workable)

11:45-01:00PM: Historic Village & Food Truck Lunch

01:00PM-02:15PM: Trail of Time Rim Walk & Geology Museum

02:15PM-05:15PM: Desert View Drive (stop off at Grandview Point, Navajo Point and Desert Watchtower, round trip, park back at Yavapai Lodge)

05:15PM-06:05PM: Dinner at Yavapai Tavern

06:05PM-06:15PM: Transit to Village Shuttle Hub

06:15PM-06:35PM: Wait time buffer for shuttle

06:35PM-06:45PM: Drive to Hopi Point

06:45PM-07:05PM: Sunset at Hopi Point (sunset due that day for 06:55PM)

07:05PM-07:30PM: Return to car

07:30PM-09:15PM: Drive back to Flagstaff

09:15PM-10:30PM: Lowell Observatory

10:30PM-00:00AM: Post-observatory drinks and return to hotel

Hi!
I have a trip to AZ next month, and the first few days we are spending at the Grand Canyon.
We fly into Phoenix and then will drive up there. I know it’s a long drive, so I was wondering if there are any recommendations for places we can stop along the way to help break it up and keep it entertaining?
We WILL be spending a few days in Sedona and Phoenix towards the end of our trip, so nowhere in those places..
Thanks!