Trail Safety
1. If you get lost...
  1. Stay as a group
  2. Remain calm (fear is exhausting and dangerous)
  3. Use map, compass and reference points to retrace your steps
  4. Attract attention ¤ yell, blow a whistle, use signal mirror, build a fire
2. To lessen the trails impact...
  1. Begin hiking before 7:00 a.m. You want to be in camp before noon so you can spend the hottest part of the day under a shade tree with your feet in a creek.
  2. Use hiking sticks to lessen the impact on your body. The pressure that is relieved from your knees is enormous.
  3. To replace electrolytes, two quarts of electrolyte-replacement fluid (sports drink) is minimum, and one gallon is recommended for every 8 hours of hot-weather hiking.
  4. Eat nutritious snacks high in carbohydrates (grains, crackers, fruits, non-fat energy bars) every 20-30 minutes.
  5. Stay cool by soaking your hat and shirt in water sources and resting in the shade.
  6. Avoid direct exposure of your head and torso to the sun.
  7. A break of seven to nine minutes can flush out approximately 20% to 30% of the waste products that have built up in your legs while hiking. Sit down and prop your legs up above the level of your heart and let gravity help drain these metabolic waste products out of your Legs. Take this kind of serious break at least every hour. Eat some food, drink some fluids, and take this break time to really enjoy and appreciate the view. These efficient breaks can really recharge your batteries. In the long run, these breaks will not slow you down.
  8. Do not huff and puff if you can talk while you are walking, you are walking the perfect speed. When you huff and puff, your legs, your digestive system -- your whole body -- does not get enough oxygen to function efficiently. Your energy reserves are depleted very quickly with this type of anaerobic (oxygen deficit) metabolism which creates a lot of waste products. These waste products make your legs feel heavy and make you feel sick. Hiking uphill at a pace that allows you to be able to walk and talk will guarantee that your legs and your body are getting the oxygen that they need to function efficiently
3. For your information...
  1. The South Kaibab, Bright Angel, and North Kaibab Trails are maintained and patrolled by trail crews on a regular basis
  2. Backpack groups should be a minimum of four and a maximum of eight.
  3. Due to extreme cold water and swift currents, DO NOT attempt to swim in the Colorado River.
  4. Stay on main trails; do not shortcut switch backs.
  5. Bury solid human waste at least 200' from water in a shallow cat hole 4-6" deep and 4-6" in diameter. Pack out used toilet paper.
  6. Up hill hikers and mule teams always have the right-of-way.
4. Trail data...
  1. South Kaibab Trail - The trail begins on the South Rim near Yaki Point and descends to the Colorado River. Elevation change from rim to river is 4620 ft along a 6 mile trail.
  2. Bright Angel Trail - The trail begins on the South Rim just west of Kolb Studio, and descends to the Colorado River. Elevation change from rim to river is 4420 ft along a 7.7 mile trail.
  3. North Kaibab Trail - The trail begins on the North Rim at the head of Roaring Springs Canyon and descends to the Colorado River. Elevation from rim to river is 5841 ft along a 14.5 mile trail.