Susie Perkowitz — Hiking the Grand Canyon in winter

For experienced hikers such as Susie Perkowitz, hiking the Grand Canyon in winter presents an appealing challenge surrounded by the natural beauty of a world wonder. This idea inspires many people to travel to Arizona and immerse themselves in the park, but even experienced hikers need to be fully prepared before they being their adventure into the Grand Canyon.

The hiker’s safety is entirely dependent upon her judgment, experience, preparation, and realistic understanding of her abilities. Because of the uncertainty of the terrain and challenges of the territory, hikers should always have an adequate amount of water, food, and equipment to deal with unexpected circumstances. Hikes can be impacted by weather and natural deterioration, and so the hiker in the Grand Canyon must rely on smarts rather than just physical strength. Aside from food and water, hikers should also carry a first aid kit, map, flashlight and extra batteries, pack, hiking poles, hiking footwear with crampons, a whistle or signal mirror, and warm clothing, preferably waterproof.

Susie Perkowitz and other experienced hikers know that a difficult terrain like the Grand Canyon means they need to know trail conditions before beginning their hike. As some trails are harder to navigate in the winter, a smart hiker plans ahead for the path she decides to take. The Backcountry Information Center can also provide hikers with more information on winter hiking the Grand Canyon, especially if they are new to the area. Experienced hikers may want to try the North Rim hike, which has a destination of 8000 feet, resulting in severe winter conditions that require much heavier protective equipment.

Source: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.html