Phoenix area hikes to prep for Grand Canyon

[greenie44]

Hello all. I will be hiking into the Canyon (S. Kaibab down, Bright Angel up) for the first time at the end of March. I have been doing Squaw Peak regularly, but can anyone recommend some hikes that approximate the main trails into the Canyon? I figure if I can do one of these a few weeks in advance, it should set me up for the big hike.

Thanks in advance.

[BobP]

If you go to TrailDEX, you can search by Region,miles,elevation, etc. and probably find what your looking for. When I trained for some hikes in CO, I tried to replicate distance and elevation gain. Sometimes, it meant hiking the same trail up and down 5 times.

[Al_HikesAZ]

I would say that 4 consecutive Piestewa Summits is equivalent. Trail conditions are similar. Crowded, no route finding issues, no bushwhacking or scrambling issues. No mule urine on Piestewa.
Look at the math
Piestewa is 2.4 miles and 1,180 AEG. So 4 trips is 9.6 miles and 4,720 AEG
South Kaibab is 7 miles and 4,790 descent. Bright Angel is 9.5 miles and 4,380 ascent. Total 16.5 miles and approximately 4,500' AEG

So 4 Piestewa's has all the AEG in a shorter distance. Or do 5 Piestewa Summits to be certain.

The Superstition Ridgeline is somewhat equivalent in terms of AEG, but the GC doesn't have the issues with Siphon Draw or trail finding.
A Camelback OVER & BACK doubled is somewhat equivalent. But the BA & SK trails don't have anything like the section near the top on the Cholla side of Camelback.

That's about all I can think of in the Phoenix area that would be equivalent.

Have fun. You are picking a good time of year for a Rim-River-Rim when it's not too hot. Going down is optional, hiking up is mandatory. If you aren't feeling right on the way down SK you can bail out and cross over on the Tonto to BA to climb out.

[trekkin_gecko]

a double camelback
park on invergordon, hike up cholla canyon, down echo canyon, back up echo canyon and down cholla
it's a killer workout
if your legs can handle that, you should be good to go

[Al_HikesAZ]

@trekkin gecko - that may be a Double Camelback but that's a single "Over & Back". Turn around and do it again, that's a "double Over & Back" and more like a SK / BA loop. Or maybe you would call it a Double-Double. Here's my triplog of the hike for some tips. http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=28&EXT=MT
This trip I wrote up was memorable because of the heat. I've done it when it's cooler and it's actually a nice training hike.

If you're in good shape, you might find a Phoenix Firefighter group training and join in with them.

@greenie44 - are you doing SK/BA as a dayhike or are you staying overnight at Phantom Ranch?

[greenie44]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Al_HikesAZ, I am going down to Phantom Ranch and staying 2 nights there.

[Al_HikesAZ]

OK - I was prepping you for a Rim-River-Rim. If you can do what I advised, you will be fine. You'll probably be fine with 2 or 3 consecutive Piestawa Summits.

You can take your take going down and up and really enjoy without pushing. If you are sore you can hang out at PR. I love some of the dayhikes from PR. Ribbon Falls and Cottonwood are a nice day hike. Out a ways on Clear Creek is nice. Probably all you'll want for your first trip there. An awesome hike is a loop up to Utah Flats and back down Phantom Creek. You can fly fish for Brownies and Rainbows in The Box.

Then take your time climbing out. If you are feeling strong, the side trip to Plateau Point is well worth it. Check on the status of the water on Bright Angel Trail. If the water is on, you have water at Indian Gardens at the halfway point. Then water at the 3 mile resthouse and the 1 1/2 mile resthouse. So you won't need to carry a whole lot of water from PR. I can't remember the water ever being off at IG. But still check first. Pipe breaks happen and can change everything overnight.

Have fun. This is a nice introduction to the GC.

[rushthezeppelin]

Ridgeline is also some good practice for that. About the same elevation gain and loss although distributed a bit different than GC since ridgeline doesn't really use switchbacks.