As early as late May, daytime temperatures at the bottom of Grand Canyon will regularly hit, and exceed, 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). This heat kicks in quickly and typically continues through the first couple of weeks of September, making Grand Canyon hiking tours a little more challenging. Although, the heat shouldn’t keep any adventurer from planning & enjoying that dream vacation into the depths of the world’s most famous gorge. With solid planning and a handful of good information and helpful hints, a summer hike can be a wonderful experience!
The ‘Local Way’ to Stay Cool
One of the most valuable lessons to surviving the searing summer heat is learned from the locals…and we’re referring to the wildlife, not the people. The myriad reptiles, mammals, and amphibians have been thriving & surviving out here for millennia. Now granted, many of them have special physiological adaptations that help them along the way, but a good deal of their success in the heat is due to simple modifications in their behavior.
Understanding Mother Earth’s Sun Clock
Perhaps the most obvious behavior is avoiding too much activity during the hottest times of the day (between 10am and 4pm). A backpacker won’t see too many creatures out and about when the sun is high in the sky. Most animals are either nocturnal (only active at night) or crepuscular (the nerdy scientific term for activity centered around dawn and dusk).
So if you’re planning to cover 7 or 8 miles in the canyon one day and the high temps are forecast near or above 100F, your best option is too start hiking early. Wake up in the dark, get yourself packed up, and try to hit the trail about 30 to 45 minutes before first light (not to be confused with sunrise). A headlamp will be necessary for a little while, but before you know it, the first hints of daylight will begin creeping up in the eastern sky and you’ll be able to see just fine with your unaided eyes. The next 2 hours or so will offer the most beautiful and magical time to be hiking.
