Route: Grand Canyon Crossings (AZ)

Location
Arizona, US
Distance
44 mi
Vertical Gain
10,500 ft
Description

The Rim-to-Rim (R2R), R2R2R, and R2R2R2R2R (! aka 2xR2R2R) have been huge classics for many years. A speed record here really counts as a world-class performance, as many of the best mountain runners have tested their mettle in the Canyon. The fastest times are typically set by running the North and South Kaibab Trails.

Note that the R2R is typically run N to S, since the North Rim is about 1000' higher than the south.  However, some FKTs have been set as part of the R2R2R, and therefore in the other direction.  The R2R2R has basically always been run starting and finishing on the South Rim (Yaki Point).  This is because the North Rim is usually closed (inaccessible to vehicles) during times of the year when the weather is favorable (cool enough) to do this.

Davy Crockett has an excellent, detailed historical look at the history of Grand Canyon crossings on the Kaibab and Bright Angel trails, complete with many cool photos.

The R2R2R via the South & North Bass trails has its own Route Page here:  R2R2R-alt

 

*** Belt Buckle Route! ***
Rickey Gates and partner Elizabeth Thorp have created a series of custom belt buckles commemorating some of the most iconic and hotly contested FKT routes! The R2R2R certainly qualifies. Each buckle is awarded to the FKT holder, and passed on when that FKT is superseded. Currently this buckle is held by Jim Walmsley for the men and Cat Bradley for the women.

FKTs

Comments

Honorable mention:  Just 2 days after Ida Nilsson's excellent R2R2R FKT, Sandi Nypaver ran within less than 4 minutes of that time (and 19min under Cat Bradley's previous FKT)!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1973697316

"7:33:05, happily taking second to Ida Nilsson's 7:29:16", she said.

Here's Sandi's excellent & detailed report:  https://www.runinrabbit.com/blogs/rabbit-chatter/sandi-nypaver-fkt-grand-canyon-rim-to-rim-to-rim

I will be attempting a quadruple double-crossing, or R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R, of the Grand Canyon on October 2nd. You can view more or track me on elcuatrorun.com

 

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As I posted on Instagram @burroslocos on January 10, 2019. I will be attempting to set new FKT times for x2,x3,x4 and x5 R2R2R during the week of September 26 - October 3rd. 2020. You can follow along at :

 https://maps.findmespot.com/s/VMTN

 

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On Wednesday November 4th Peter Daw and myself will start an unsupported sextuple crossing of the grand canyon, or 3XR2R2R. We will each be carrying all of our own food and gear the entire time, and won't be accessing our vehicle at any time, accepting any assistance from anyone, or caching anything. We will each follow the style and standard set by Ras during his OKT/FKT,  including accessing any park water taps along the trail, and carrying out our trash.   

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Only 1 double crossing completed as that's the risk of team fkt. I'm starting a solo self supported attempt on Nov 19th. 

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Starting an unsupported r2r2r attempt from South Kaibab the morning of Nov 20th. Should be fun!

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Going to do an unsupported r2r2r attempt starting from South Kaibab around 7am December 9th. Here’s the link! 

https://share.garmin.com/wotipkmw

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Does this site (or elsewhere) track any masters records on some of the more popular routes? I've looked with no luck. No problem if not, thanks for your time and efforts in all of this. It's great!

Hey Adam - No age group times/records are recorded against any route on this site. I don't know of any other site that does. Hope that helps you.

All the best

Jase

Fastest Known Time
Region Editor - AUS/NZ/JAPAN

Insta - jasetrim

Strava - Jase Trimmer

I completed 5 R2R2R (10 Crossings) in 4 days 16 hours 23 minutes. I’ll submit my data and a recap to the moderators soon. 

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Hi all,

I will be attempting r2r2r x 5 self-supported from my car at the North Rim later this week (likely Thursday 9/16/21) I will be trying to set 3 FKT’s in the process. R2r2r trip’s 3, 4, and 5.

Nods to both Jason and Paul!

Paul would be curious to know that during his r2r2r x5 this spring I was “Everesting” Mt. Morrison in Golden, CO without knowing exactly who started idea… or that r2r2r x5 was a thing- great minds!

Hopefully the canyon will provide its unique brand on inspiration for me on this journey.

https://share.garmin.com/roguejackalope
 

I have borrowed my friends tracker, so those interested may follow along.

 

 

Gina Harcrow and I will attempt an unsupported FKT of R2R2R x2 on Saturday, 4/9/2022 starting at approximately 4:45 AM on the South Rim, South Kaibab Trail. Here is a tracking link: https://share.garmin.com/sheilahuss. We will not cache, use our vehicle, stash anything, or accept any assistance from anyone - and it will be painful, but we will bypass Phantom Ranch lemonade in the heat of the day to keep our attempt unsupported.

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I will attempt Supported 2xR2R2R (South Kaibab-North Kaibab route) on Friday, April 22, 2022. Starting at 12:01am. You can live track me at: https://share.garmin.com/GoBroncoBilly

Time to head back to the canyon!! Looking for R7 but want the R5 (back) in the process. R5 would be self supported this go. Cheers 🥂!! Https://Share.Garmin.com/vertygirl

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On Saturday, October 29th I will be running R2R2R. If the plan goes accordingly and I am feeling good (or as good as possible at that point haha), I will attempt the self-supported female FKT for 2xR2R2R after. 

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On Saturday, December 9th I will be attempting to set the supported R2R2R FKT in the Grand Canyon.  I will be using a GPS watch and carrying a Garmin Mini inReach for tracking.  I will be borrowing the Mini inReach from Cordis and Abby Hall.  The link for the inReach is https://share.garmin.com/pigduck

Happy Trails!

- Zach Miller