Welcome, adventurer!
We're so happy to have you on the team. This page is your home base for everything you need to know before we gather live on Zoom as a group — who's guiding, where we're going, what you're responsible for between now and October, and answers to the questions past teams have asked most.
The mission: one day, about 22 miles, roughly 10,400 feet of elevation change, and $10,000 raised as a team to create scholarships that get more women and girls outside. This hike is exclusively for women 50 and older — and we can't wait for you to adventure as a team!
At a Glance
Meeting location: Grand Canyon Village, South Rim, AZ. We drop from the rim toward the Colorado River and climb back out, starting and finishing on the same side.
Closest airports: Phoenix, AZ (~3 hrs 40 min to the South Rim) or Las Vegas, NV (~4 hrs 30 min). Most of the team drives or carpools — more in Logistics.
Meet Your Guides
Sunny Stroeer
Professional endurance athlete, guide, and founder of the Summit Scholarship Foundation and AWExpeditions; co-owner of Kanab-based Dreamland Safari Tours. Sunny has completed the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim more times than she can count — including about half a dozen Rim-to-Rim-to-Rims in a day and two speed records. When she's not guiding, she's working to make the outdoors more inclusive through scholarships, mentorship, and trailblazing events like this one.
Angie Lake
Trailblazer Community Manager at The Cairn Project — the nonprofit initiative you're supporting through this adventure. Angie has hiked Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim and floated 300+ miles of the Grand Canyon on a 21-day rafting trip, finding awe in every canyon corner. She's a storytelling mentor who's excited to help you share your adventure with the world.
In Their Words
You'll be the third Cairn Project team to cross the Big Ditch. Here's what women from our first two Grand Canyon teams told us afterward:
"Even though I was tired and nervous, I felt strong and empowered. I sincerely believe that the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the badass women I hiked with carried me through the hike and made all the difference."
— Cyndee Llanos
"I never felt rushed or shamed for my pace and I know that was a part of my success and enjoyment."
— Aubrey Van Parys
"Women and girls deserve, not just to know, but to never have to question the fact that we are capable and deserving of all types of outdoor adventure."
— Erin Rush
The Route: Rim to River to Rim
We start and finish in Grand Canyon Village, dropping roughly 5,400 feet to the river and climbing about 5,000 feet back out over the course of about 22 miles.
- South Kaibab Trailhead — An early start, headlamps on. The steepest descent of the day comes first, so we go conservatively to protect knees and set the pace for a long day. Note there is no water anywhere on South Kaibab.
- At The Tipoff, turn onto the Tonto Trail — The flattest stretch of the day, and the one where past teams have felt suddenly fast after all that descending.
- At Havasupai Gardens, turn off the Tonto and drop to the Colorado River — The Gardens sit at the end of the Tonto and are our water stop. From there it's an out-and-back down to the river: the bottom of the Big Ditch, and our turnaround. Soak your feet, dunk your hat and shirt, and eat properly before we start up.
- Back up through Havasupai Gardens and on up the Bright Angel Trail — You'll pass the Gardens a second time on the way out, then climb the switchbacks to Bright Angel Trailhead. The steepest uphill comes at the end of the day; this is what we train for. Sunset is around 6 pm in October, so plan on finishing by headlamp.
If conditions don't cooperate
The park expects the trail below the Tonto Plateau to reopen well before the 10th, but nothing is guaranteed. Two fallbacks, both of which give you the same rim-to-river day:
- Stay above the river. Down South Kaibab, across the Tonto, and up Bright Angel. Cuts out part of the inner canyon and trims the vertical.
- Move to the Tanner Trail. Nine miles down to the river and nine back, east of the corridor. Wilder, quieter, more primitive, and no water on the trail at all. Sunny knows it well.
Water: the biggest change to your packing
The flooding destroyed the water pipeline. The spigots are off, and the park is trucking water in for the people who live and work at the rim. We carry in everything we need.
Plan for a minimum of 3 liters of capacity (up from 2 on our earlier plan). If you know you drink a lot, or if the forecast turns warm, carry capacity for 4. We expect 2 to 3 liters to be what you actually drink, but we want the extra capacity available rather than wished for.
There is no water from the South Kaibab Trailhead all the way across the Tonto until we reach Havasupai Gardens, so everything you drink before then is what you started with.
At Havasupai Gardens we'll treat water with AquaTabs, which take about 30 minutes and leave a mild taste. If you'd rather not wait or don't like the taste, bring your own personal filter — it's optional, not required. We'll confirm conditions in the final days before the hike.
Weather: two climates in one day
Rule of thumb: the rim feels like Flagstaff, the bottom feels like Phoenix. In October, expect lows in the 30s°F at the rim (it will be cold and dark at the start!) and highs around 80°F+ in the inner canyon. Sun protection is mandatory; layers are your friend.
Come ready for all weather. October should be the sweet spot, but the canyon does what it wants. Our March team hit triple digits at the bottom on a date that should have been mild, and then got cold on the climb out as conditions flipped in the same day. Pack the layers you might not end up using.
Heat also drives our start time. If the forecast runs hot, we'll start earlier to stay out of the worst sun, so keep your Friday evening loose and don't plan on a late arrival.
Your To-Dos
These are your responsibilities as a team member. Your progress saves on this device, so check things off as you go. The lodging items matter now — the water situation has scrambled where everyone is sleeping.
Do these ASAP
Between now and October
How the Weekend Will Flow
Exact times and meeting spots will be confirmed in your final arrival-instructions email about three days before the hike. Based on our past trips, here's the shape of it:
- Friday, Oct 9Travel day, all of us on the South Rim side. Group dinner at the Arizona Steakhouse on the South Rim, 4:45pm Arizona time. (If you're driving from Kanab, that's 5:45pm on your phone until it catches up.) It's dark by 6 in October, so if you're camping at Mather, set up before dinner rather than after. Then an early night.
- Saturday, Oct 10The Big Day. Starting around 6 or 7 am, just before sunup, and earlier if the forecast runs hot. Exact meet time comes in the arrival email. Leave your car in Grand Canyon Village and we'll ride the free park shuttle to the trailhead together, about five minutes. We finish at Bright Angel Trailhead, which is an easy walk back to the Village and your car. Rim to river and back, roughly 22 miles. Restaurants may be closed when we finish, so stash food wherever you're sleeping.
- Sunday, Oct 11Travel home from the South Rim whenever suits you. No shuttle to catch this time, since we finish where we started. Bask in the afterglow.
Training
Hiking across the Grand Canyon in a single day is HARD, and first-timers frequently underestimate it. What makes the canyon unique is the order of operations: a massive downhill first (hello, jello quads), then a climb of roughly 5,000 feet back out at the end of the day when all you want is a cold beverage, a shower, and bed.
The good news: this is a hiking challenge, not a running one, and steady training gets you there. Our 12-week plan is below. Counted back from October 10, week 1 is the week of July 20, 2026 — and it's completely okay if you're starting a couple of weeks in. Jump in at whatever volume feels honest and build from where you are.
| Week | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Easy 3 mi walk | Hill/stairs with 10 lb pack (45 min) | 4 miles brisk walk | Strength (lunges, squats, step-ups) | Recovery walk (easy 2–3 miles) | Endurance hike 5→8 miles | Rest or yoga |
| 3–4 | 4 miles easy | 45 min of stairs with 15 lbs | 5 miles brisk | Strength circuit | Active recovery: stretch, yoga | 8→10 miles hilly hike | Rest |
| 5–6 | 5 miles easy | Intervals: hill (or stair) sprints + stairs descent drill (google it!) | 6–7 miles brisk | Strength + core, increased intensity | Recovery walk (easy 2–3 miles) | 10→12 miles hilly hike | Rest |
| 7–8 | 6 miles easy | Mixed intervals (stairs + lunges) | 8 miles brisk | Strength circuit, increased intensity | Active recovery: stretch, yoga | 12→14 miles, 1,500 ft+ of vert | Rest |
| 9–10 | 6 miles easy | 1-hr stair climbs + weighted step-ups | 10 miles brisk | Strength + core | Recovery walk (easy 2–3 miles) | 15+ miles, 2,500+ ft of vert | Rest |
| 11 | 6 miles easy | 4 miles easy | 6 miles easy | Light strength circuit | Rest | 10 miles hike | Rest |
| 12 | Rest | Active recovery: stretch, yoga | 4 mi easy | Rest | Travel | THE BIG DAY! | 🎉 |
The strength circuit is fully customizable — home, gym, weights, machines, or bodyweight only. If circuits are new to you, search "no equipment lower body workout" for easy-to-follow options. Prioritize downhill training (stairs, descents) and time on your feet over speed.
Gear List
You don't need fancy gear to cross the Grand Canyon — you need a carefully curated set of clothing, nutrition, and safety items. Conditions run the gamut from below freezing to hot, so plan to have every item below; once we can see the near-term forecast, some items (like the rain shell) may get cut. All in, your pack should weigh no more than about 10 lbs.
👕 Attire
- Long-sleeve hooded sun shirt
- Lightweight insulated (puffy) jacket
- Lightweight rain shell or poncho
- Lightweight trekking pants or tights
- Brimmed hat
- Light gloves
- Beanie
- Underwear
- Lightweight hiking socks
🎒 Gear
- Your preferred trail shoes — trail runners or lightweight hiking boots (broken in!)
- Running pack or small day pack (<20 liters)
- Hiking poles — not optional. Train with them so they're second nature by October, especially on descents
- Headlamp with spare batteries (we start and may finish in the dark)
- 3–4 liters of water capacity — the pipeline is down, so we carry everything in
- Water purification (personal filter or Aquatabs)
- Small personal med kit: blister care, ibuprofen, anti-chafe
- Sunglasses & sunscreen
- ID & credit card
- Phone or camera!
🍫 Nutrition
- 2,000–3,000 calories (2–3 lbs) of your preferred snacks: bars, gels, nuts, dried fruit, etc.
- Electrolyte tablets
- Pro tip from past teams: pack foods that will still sound appetizing when you're tired, hot, or cold — variety wins.
🧭 Guides carry
- GPS satellite communication
- Group medical kit
- Emergency shelter
Logistics
This fundraising adventure covers the guiding; travel, lodging, food, and park entry are on you. Three questions to answer:
1. How will you get to the South Rim?
By car. Fly into Phoenix or Las Vegas and drive, or carpool with a teammate. Carpooling matters more than usual this time, because our campsite allows only two vehicles. Sort rides in the WhatsApp group.
2. Where will you sleep, both Friday and Saturday night?
We start and finish on the South Rim, so you need a bed for Friday October 9 and Saturday October 10. The pipeline damage narrows this considerably:
- Tusayan — the reliable choice. It runs on its own groundwater wells, so it isn't under the water restrictions. Five miles south of the rim.
- Mather Campground — where Angie and Sunny will be, hauling in all our own water and supplies. Angie is making the reservation. One site holds 6 people and 2 vehicles, so tell us early if you want in.
- Grand Canyon Village — probably not an option. El Tovar has closed, and with no way to rebuild the pipeline before October we expect in-park lodging to cancel. If you hold a reservation inside the park, call the property and ask directly.
Teammates are sorting rooms, campsites and rides in the WhatsApp group — post there rather than booking blind. And stash easy food wherever you land, because restaurants may well be closed when we finish.
3. Do you need a ride back?
No. This is an out-and-back from the South Rim, so we finish where we started and your car is waiting. Nothing to book.
Fundraising: Why We Hike
This is a fundraising adventure produced by The Cairn Project, an initiative of the Alliance for Gender Equity in Outdoor Adventure. The funds you raise create scholarships for women and girls to access transformative outdoor opportunities — a first night under the stars, a summit reached, a backpacking trip that builds confidence for a lifetime.
How it works
- Each hiker commits to raising a minimum of $1,000. Your $100 registration fee counts toward it, and donations are tax-deductible.
- Our team goal is $10,000 — and past teams have blown past their goals, so dream bigger (one teammate set hers at a fun $2,026!).
- Our internal fundraising deadline is Friday, October 2. If you haven't reached $1,000 by then, the card you authorized at signup is charged the balance — and if you need an extension, just talk to us and we'll make a plan together.
- Funds support the Alliance for Gender Equity in Outdoor Adventure so that other girls and women can experience the transformative power of time in nature.
What actually works (from our past teams)
- Direct asks beat social media. Email, text, and DM your people personally. Then post on social too — and tag @thecairnproject so we can amplify you.
- Seed the pot before you launch. A few early donations from family or friends create social proof that gets strangers to give.
- Make it personal. Put your face and your story on your page — people give to people. Short 1–3 week pushes work great, so don't worry if you start late.
- Check for employer matching. Free doubling!
- Celebrate milestones. First $100, halfway, every donor — shout them out.
Not sure what to say? Story prompts:
- Why did you sign up for this adventure — and why now?
- Who helped you fall in love with the outdoors?
- What's one moment that made you feel like you belong outside?
- What would you tell your younger self about being outside?
- Who are you dedicating your hike to?
FAQ
Real questions from our past two Grand Canyon teams (October 2025 and March 2026) — answered so you don't have to wonder.
I can't make a Zoom call live — will I miss out?
Nope! Every team call is recorded and the link (with passcode) is emailed to the whole team afterward. Watch on your own time, then drop any questions in the WhatsApp group.
How hard is this, really?
Honestly: it's a near-marathon day on foot, and the demands are frequently underestimated by first-timers. You may not avoid all pain or discomfort — but you can absolutely prepare for it. We start conservatively to protect knees, pace as a team, and plan for 10–16 hours so nobody has to rush. Hundreds of everyday hikers cross the canyon every fall weekend; with the training plan and a strong team around you, you've got this.
I'm not an athlete. Is this for me?
This event is designed for hikers, not racers — and this team is exclusively women 50+. The 12-week plan is built to take a regularly active person to canyon-ready. If you can commit to the Saturday endurance hikes and stay consistent during the week, you belong here.
What happens if I don't hit $1,000 by the deadline?
When you signed up, you authorized your card to be charged the balance if your fundraiser is short at the internal deadline (Friday, October 2). If you need an extension or a fundraising pep talk, reach out to Angie before the deadline — we've made plans with teammates before and we're happy to help. Also remember your $100 registration fee already counts toward your total.
Do I pay anything for the guiding?
No — your guides volunteer their time so that every dollar raised goes to the mission. You're responsible for your own travel, lodging, food, and park entry.
What's the weather going to be like?
Two climates in one day. Rims in October: freezing-to-chilly mornings (30s°F) — you'll want your puffy, beanie, and gloves at the start. Inner canyon: highs around 80°F+ in full sun. Rule of thumb: the rim feels like Flagstaff, the bottom feels like Phoenix. The real forecast won't be readable until about a week out, so your guides will send a weather-and-gear call in WhatsApp and email as we get close, including whether anything on the gear list can stay home.
Where do we get water? Where are the bathrooms?
The flooding destroyed the pipeline, so the spigots are off and the park is trucking water in for residents and staff. Carry capacity for at least 3 liters, and 4 if you drink a lot or the forecast turns warm. There is water at Havasupai Gardens, and your guides carry filtration and treatment so we can take water there. South Kaibab has no water at all, which is normal for that trail. Toilets exist at the trailheads and at intervals along the corridor trails. Your guides will brief the team on current conditions in the final days before the hike.
Will I have phone service?
Assume no service once you drop below the rim. Your guides carry GPS satellite communicators for emergencies, and you can tell your people you'll resurface by evening. Consider downloading offline maps and podcasts/music before you leave wifi — and keep your phone in airplane mode to save battery for photos.
What if I get hurt or can't finish?
We hike as a team with two experienced guides, a group med kit, satellite communication, and emergency shelter — and we talk through contingency plans together on the final Zoom. The honest truth about the canyon is that there's no easy exit from the middle, which is exactly why we train, start conservatively, and take pacing seriously. Small stuff (blisters, hot spots, tweaky knees) we handle on the move; taping and trekking poles are your friends for the descents.
Do I need a National Park pass?
Yes — bring your America the Beautiful annual pass if you have one, or buy entry when you drive into the park (one entrance fee covers both rims for consecutive days).
Should I bring poles? Should I tape my knees?
Poles: yes, and Sunny treats them as mandatory rather than optional. They take real load off your knees on roughly 5,400 feet of descent, and she uses them on every hike with elevation change for exactly that reason: staying able to do this into her 70s and 80s. If you don't already hike with poles, get a pair now and use them on your training hikes so the rhythm is automatic by October. Sunny brings demo pairs for anyone who'd rather not fly with them (poles can't be carried on, so flying means checking a bag).
Knee taping: worth it before a descent this long. Sunny now tapes before a downhill canyon day herself. Here's the how-to video — practice on a training hike rather than the morning of. If you already wear a knee brace for workouts, bring it; if you've never worn one, race day is not the time to start.
What food should I bring?
2,000–3,000 calories of snacks you actually like — bars, gels, nuts, dried fruit, chips, candy. Variety matters: pack things that will still sound good when you're tired, hot, or cold, plus electrolyte tablets for your water. Test everything on training hikes. And leave a proper meal at your lodging for the finish, since restaurants may be closed by the time we're out.
Can I raise more than $1,000?
Please do! Overflow means more scholarships. Past teammates have set fun stretch goals (like $2,026 for 2026) and crushed them. The team that crosses together fundraises together — we'll cheer every milestone in the WhatsApp.
What about the night before — will I meet everyone?
Yes! We're gathering for a group dinner at the Arizona Steakhouse on the South Rim, Friday October 9 at 4:45pm Arizona time. Note that Arizona doesn't do daylight saving, so if you're coming from Kanab your phone may still read 5:45pm until it catches up. It's dark by 6 in October, so if you're camping at Mather, get set up before dinner. It's a lovely way to put faces to WhatsApp names before an early morning.
Questions?
Email Angie anytime at [email protected], or drop your question in the team WhatsApp once you're in — if you're wondering something, a teammate probably is too.
Want a feel for why we do this? Listen to the See Her Outside Podcast.