Local hikers go to bottom of Grand Canyon

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the July edition of The 812 Magazine. Subscribe by clicking here.

(GRAND CANYON, AZ.) – Three Ripley County residents had an experience at the Grand Canyon that very few tourists ever get, and it’s an experience that some don’t survive. 

Less than one percent of the Grand Canyon’s five million annual visitors take up the challenge to make the rim-to-rim hike. 

The rigorous hike involves a 14-mile descent to the bottom of the canyon, where temperatures can reach 120 degrees, and then taking the 10-mile journey to climb back out on the other side. 

It requires a lot of physical and mental stamina, and unprepared hikers are often rescued each year. This summer alone, at least three people have died while on the trail. 

Holton resident Dede Fields is an avid hiker and knew that the rim-to-rim hike has already been deadly this summer, however, wanted to see if she could complete it along with two of her family members earlier this month. 

Fields took the journey along with her niece, Anna Mays and her husband, Lee Mays, who live in Batesville. 

“We began our hike on the north rim, at an elevation of over 8,000 feet and hiked down to Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River which was a descent of nearly 5,800 feet,” Fields said.

Fields recalls the variety of ecosystems she encountered while hiking down to the bottom of the canyon. She says it is like walking into a prehistoric period that remains mostly untouched by humans. 

The three hikers spent one night at Phantom Ranch, which is known as the ‘most exclusive inn in the world’ where they enjoyed dinner and laid in the water to keep their bodies cool. A park volunteer said the ambient temperature that day had reached 125 degrees. 

It was time for Fields and the Mays couple to begin the journey of climbing out of the Grand Canyon’s bottom floor. 

Lee Mays remembers thinking, “Once you’re down in the canyon there’s no room to feel sorry for yourself or that you made the wrong choice. Therefore, you have one choice.” 

Due to 90 degree temperatures at 1 a.m., they decided to start hiking out of the canyon while it was still dark. 

The major decision they had to make was figuring out whether they would take the South Kaibab trail, which is a shorter distance but higher elevation, no water sources and no protection from the sun. Or the Bright Angel Trails which is a 10-mile grueling hike to the South Rim. 

They took Bright Angel Trail and Dede recalls how the last half of the ascent was among the hardest they encountered along the journey. 

“Most hikes lead you up a mountain first and then back down, while this hike leaves the most challenging part still being a hike up with sore and tired muscles,” she said. 

Another challenge was the mile-and-a-half as they began encountering tourists who just wanted a glimpse below the canyon wall. 

“Many of the people you interact with on this section are not experienced hikers and may come unprepared for the terrain. and don’t know hiking etiquette like giving hikers coming up the trail to have the right-of-way,” Fields said. 

The three hikers were hot, tired and breathless as they went step-by-step hoping to bring the journey to an end. It was the adrenaline that kicked in and helped them reach the infamous Bright Angel Trailhead stone to bring the hike to an end. 

“The first thing we did was hit the showers, got some food and then a good night’s rest in an air conditioned room,” Dede said. 

Taking the hike in July presents real dangers no matter how prepared you are. To avoid heat stroke or dehydration, they each consumed at least five liters of water a day, carried snacks, electrolytes, salt tablets, umbrellas, water filtering systems, cooling rags and took intentional hiking breaks to refuel. 

“I used a hiking umbrella in the ‘box’ area of the canyon. It is known to be the hottest in this area due to the way the heat is radiated from the walls on each side of the trail in this area. It felt like God took a high powered hair dryer, put it on high heat and aimed it right at us during this 5 mile section,” Fields said. 

While it was a dangerous journey that is not for the faint of heart, it is well worth it for those who are prepared for whatever could come. 

“Although the views are spectacular and jaw dropping from the upper rims of the Grand Canyon, you cannot fully appreciate the vastness and diversity of this natural wonder until you hike down and through it. Pictures and words can never truly capture the essence of the canyon the way that is experienced with your own eyes and ears, and legs,” she said. 

Anna Mays says this hike showed her that every obstacle in life can be conquered, you just have to believe in yourself. 

“It means stepping away from the normal, comfortable path and choosing the path that challenges and inspires me to be a better person and open my eyes to the beauty and miracles this life has to offer. And I was fortunate to share it with 2 very amazing people in my life, my husband and aunt.

Fields works as a clinical pharmacist for diabetes patients. Lee works in I.T. and Anna is a nurse practitioner working in the oncology sector.

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the July edition of The 812 Magazine. Subscribe by clicking here.