The first 5 miles are pretty steep; the next 9 miles to Phantom Ranch descend moderately. Make a side trip (1/4 mile) to Ribbon Falls one mile after cottonwood campground. Keep moving, you want your pace close to 3 miles an hour (that's fast), try to get to Phantom between 11-12. Have lunch (insure you eat well) put your feet in bright angel creek, after about ½ hour, time to go again - FILL YOUR WATER UP. When leaving Phantom ranch stay left and cross the black bridge, the South Kaibab trail awaits. It immediately starts switching, expect the first 1½ miles up to Tonto
Plateau to test you, the fun is yet to come, the middle 3 miles are true killers, keep your head together, enjoy the sites, manage your water – there is none going up --- don't run out!!! If you do run out, do not be afraid to ask someone – I have been without water for a while --- no fun.
After reaching Cedar Ridge, there is just 1½ miles to go, unfortunately there is still 1100 vertical feet to go and you are now above 6000'. Finally at the top – the buses will be parked by Bright Angel lodge (you will have to take the shuttles to the lodge – you change lines at the visitor center). When everyone is accounted for, hit Wendy's at Tusayan and back to Phoenix, approx. 3 ½ hours. (if the temp is really hot we may want to go up Bright Angel Trail)
** Water intake (plus electrolyte replacement) and eating is so important going down, it will prevent you from bonking going up. We will pass 5 bathrooms on the trail. We will pass 3 water fill ups (North side and bottom). Insure you fill up at Phantom.
This is a difficult hike you must start preparing a couple of months in advance. You will be required to sign a waiver prior to leaving. Insure you have read it before you get to the bus. Let me know if you have questions, concerns, fears, or general malaise regarding your decision to have the most fun you have ever experienced.