Women's rim to rim backpacking trip

Rim-to-Rim Women's Backpacking Expedition

  • Location: Grand Canyon, Arizona
  • Duration: 5 days
  • Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
  • Season: May – October
  • Price and dates: coming soon

A 5-day women's traverse of the Grand Canyon from North Rim to South Rim, guided by Laurie Baggarly.

Only a small fraction of Grand Canyon visitors ever drop below the rim. Fewer still cross it end to end on foot. Over five days, you'll walk the full traverse, starting on the cooler, forested North Rim, dropping nearly a vertical mile to the Colorado River, threading the inner gorge along Bright Angel Creek, and climbing back up to the South Rim through 1.8 billion years of exposed geology.

This trip is intentionally small and intentionally women-only, built around the camaraderie that shows up when a group of strong, curious women take on something hard together. Your guide, Laurie Baggarly, has run rim-to-rim-to-rim and led women's backpacking trips in the canyon for years. She handles permits, route, meals, and group dynamics so you can focus on the trail.

You'll camp deep in the canyon, eat hot meals cooked over a backcountry stove, and fall asleep to the sound of the Colorado. The terrain is rough, the temperature swings are real, and the elevation profile is unforgiving. But that's exactly the point.

Trip highlights

  • Full North-to-South rim traverse through 1.8 billion years of exposed rock
  • Three nights camped deep in the inner canyon, including a stop near Phantom Ranch
  • Small, women-only group: max 9 hikers with a 4:1 guide-to-hiker ratio
  • All permits, group gear, and trail meals handled for you
  • Pre- and post-trip lodging plus welcome and celebration dinners

Itinerary

  1. Arrive at the meeting point Check in to your hotel by late afternoon. Meet your guide for a gear check, trip briefing, and welcome dinner, a chance to meet your team before the trail.
  2. Descent from the North Rim Morning transfer to the North Rim trailhead. Lunch at the top, then begin the descent into the canyon. Establish your first inner-canyon camp by late afternoon.
  3. Inner canyon and Bright Angel Creek A slower, exploratory day through The Box, along Bright Angel Creek, and near Phantom Ranch. Exact route and campsite depend on the permit allocation.
  4. Climb to the South Rim The big day, with up to 4,400 ft of vertical gain back to the South Rim. Trailhead pickup, transfer back to the hotel, hot shower, then a celebratory dinner with the team.
  5. Departure Breakfast, then head home. Or ask your guide for ideas if you would like to stick around the area.

Included

  • Wilderness First Responder-certified guide (Laurie Baggarly) with deep canyon experience
  • All National Park backcountry permits and campsite fees
  • Trailhead shuttle from the meeting point to the North Rim and from the South Rim back to the meeting point
  • Pre-trip and post-trip hotel night (double occupancy; ask about single)
  • Welcome dinner and celebratory final dinner
  • All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on the trail (dietary needs accommodated where possible)
  • Group cooking, camping, and first-aid equipment
  • Water filtration and resupply
  • Human-waste bags where required

Not included

  • Travel to the meeting point
  • Lunches on arrival and departure days
  • Personal gear: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (pack list provided)
  • Personal snacks and trail extras
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Guide gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Meeting point to be assigned (Kanab, Flagstaff, or the trailhead). Most guests fly into Las Vegas (LAS), Salt Lake City (SLC), or Phoenix (PHX) and drive.

Things to know

How fit do I need to be?
Great fitness is required. You should be comfortable hiking 8–12 miles per day with a 30–40 lb pack and 4,000–5,000 ft of elevation change. Previous backpacking experience helps but isn't required if you've put in the training.
What's the group like?
Up to 9 women plus 1–2 guides. Most hikers travel solo or with one friend; we build the team over the welcome dinner.
When are permits confirmed?
Grand Canyon backcountry permits are released three months before departure. Your guide handles the application. If the requested route can't be secured, we'll work with you on an alternate route or refund any fees already paid.
Can I do this as a private trip or co-ed?
Yes. Reach out and we'll plan a private departure for your group on dates that work, co-ed welcome on private trips.
What's the cancellation policy?
Full details are shared at booking. In general, deposits are refundable within 48 hours and trips are partially refundable up to 90 days before departure.