A Desert Hiker's Checklist
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A romp across the Tonto Plateau 3,200 feet below the Grand Canyon's rim is a major undertaking. If you go, plan accordingly!
Carrying lots of water is a good start. From the top of the South Kaibab trail, there are nine miles of desert hiking before reliable water is available. I drank two and a half liters (quarts) before refilling at Indian Springs, and one a half liters on the five-mile ascent up the Bright Angel Trail (which was shaded in the late afternoon). So that's a gallon of water for the day - on a relatively cool one. On a hotter day I would've drank more. For the cooler seasons (late fall and early spring), I'd recommend lugging three liters down to Indian Gardens, and refilling two liters at Indian Springs. In hot weather (early fall and late spring), carry four down and three up.
Remember that one gallon of water weighs eight pounds. In the summer, don't even try this hike! It can be 120 F degrees along the Tonto Plateau when it's in the 90's on the Rim. (This would be a death hike...)
Never treat the Canyon lightly. Since people die in the Canyon every year, and many more get heat exhaustion, or worse -heat stroke - do NOT be stingy on the water. Carry more than you think you will need.
Accept the extra weight as emergency rations and drink before you feel thirsty. Thirst is not an adequate indicator of your body's need to stay hydrated, especially at elevation in an arid climate. I hike with a bike bottle in my hand and take a sip whenever I think about it. Carrying the lightweight bottle also keeps my fingers from swelling, since having to grip something keeps the blood circulating (not pooling) in my fingers. At each rest stop, I refill my bike bottle from the two-liter bottle I carry in my day pack.
A Camelbak, Platypus, or similar reservoir is even better for staying hydrated. Keep the sipping tube close to your mouth and drink, drink, drink!
A word on food: bring lots. I usually travel with a bag of trail mix and one Clif Bar for every five or seven miles. I ALWAYS bring two extra food bars for emergencies (you never know when you might get lost or hurt, or stuck out overnight. And bars don't add much weight to the pack). That's just for rest breaks.
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