I completed a bucket list hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. Here's are 11 things I did right and 6 things I got totally wrong.

Zachary PetitJul 30, 2022, 17:46 IST

Only a small group of people hike down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.Zachary Petit

I've been to the Grand Canyon multiple times but never hiked to the bottom and back until this year.
I'm glad I over prepared with practice hikes at home, that I took things slow, and prebooked meals.

I've been to the Grand Canyon multiple times but never hiked to the bottom and back — until now.

Posing inside the Grand Canyon.Zachary Petit

One of the best things I did was opting not to start the hike in Arizona, but rather, my backyard in Cincinnati.

I broke my boots in at home before leaving for my trip.Zachary Petit

I'm glad I tested my backpack multiple times on practice hikes to determine the ultimate packing list.

I packed my hiking backpack inside a suitcase for the trip to Arizona.Zachary Petit

It was smart to arrive to the Grand Canyon early to acclimate to the elevation to avoid altitude sickness.

We arrived early to enjoy the scenery and acclimate to the elevation.Courtesy of Barry Williams

But the early arrival also meant I took on too much activity instead of resting.

A view of the Grand Canyon.Zachary Petit

When it was time to hike, we avoided heat and sun by catching a free 5 a.m. shuttle to the South Kaibab trail head, which isn't accessible by private vehicle.

Zachary Petit

While trail runners and day hikers blazed past us, I'm glad we chose to take it slow.

On the trail inside the Grand Canyon.Zachary Petit

I made sure to take good care of my feet for the entirety of the hike, even if it didn't feel necessary.

I used the sock trick, where you stash a pair of hiking socks on your pack. When your feet get sweaty, you change them and hang the used pair to dry in the sun.Zachary Petit

I lost my hat, one of the most mandatory items for a desert journey. I wish I had cinched it tighter.

When my hat blew away, I had to rely on a neck gaiter.Zachary Petit

In our excitement to reach Phantom Ranch, I regret that we skipped a stop by the Black Bridge.

A view of the Black Bridge over the Colorado River.Zachary Petit

Once we arrived at Phantom Ranch, I'm glad I had booked a meal there rather than rely solely on our packed provisions.

A cabin at Phantom Ranch.Zachary Petit

Using hiking poles prepared me for the hobbled walk that hikers are known to sport after the descent.

My trekking poles.Zachary Petit

Because I heavily researched Phantom Ranch, I knew what to expect of the accommodations and wasn't disappointed while others complained about the bare rooms.

Our cabin had bunk beds and was sparsely decorated with rustic style.Zachary Petit

I felt so anxious about the hike back up that I stayed in the cabin to rest instead of exploring my surroundings. I wish I got out more to enjoy the success of our hike.

I felt anxious about the hike back up.Zachary Petit

I felt so anxious about the hike back up that I stayed in the cabin to rest instead of exploring my surroundings. I wish I got out more to enjoy the success of our hike.

When it was time to hike back up, I made sure to follow a drinking and snacking schedule to keep me fueled and feeling good.

I prepared for the return hike with loads of snacks, including bagels.Zachary Petit

I should have taken more time to rest, stretch, and explore Indian Garden, also known as Havasupai Garden.

I wish we spent more time at Indian Garden.Zachary Petit

On the final, most grueling leg, I wished I had hit the Stairmaster at the gym prior to the trip.

The final leg was a grueling, vertical ascent.Zachary Petit

When my hike was complete, I made sure to celebrate it properly. I'm glad I reserved a popular restaurant three months in advance.

I was glad to have reservations made at the top of the rim at El Tovar.Courtesy of Barry Williams

I went to one of the last Disney stores in the country, and it was full of discounted theme-park souvenirs

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I completed a bucket list hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. Here's are 11 things I did right and 6 things I got totally wrong.

I've been to the Grand Canyon multiple times but never hiked to the bottom and back — until now.

One of the best things I did was opting not to start the hike in Arizona, but rather, my backyard in Cincinnati.

I'm glad I tested my backpack multiple times on practice hikes to determine the ultimate packing list.

It was smart to arrive to the Grand Canyon early to acclimate to the elevation to avoid altitude sickness.

But the early arrival also meant I took on too much activity instead of resting.

When it was time to hike, we avoided heat and sun by catching a free 5 a.m. shuttle to the South Kaibab trail head, which isn't accessible by private vehicle.

While trail runners and day hikers blazed past us, I'm glad we chose to take it slow.

I made sure to take good care of my feet for the entirety of the hike, even if it didn't feel necessary.

I lost my hat, one of the most mandatory items for a desert journey. I wish I had cinched it tighter.

In our excitement to reach Phantom Ranch, I regret that we skipped a stop by the Black Bridge.

Once we arrived at Phantom Ranch, I'm glad I had booked a meal there rather than rely solely on our packed provisions.

Using hiking poles prepared me for the hobbled walk that hikers are known to sport after the descent.

Because I heavily researched Phantom Ranch, I knew what to expect of the accommodations and wasn't disappointed while others complained about the bare rooms.

I felt so anxious about the hike back up that I stayed in the cabin to rest instead of exploring my surroundings. I wish I got out more to enjoy the success of our hike.

When it was time to hike back up, I made sure to follow a drinking and snacking schedule to keep me fueled and feeling good.

I should have taken more time to rest, stretch, and explore Indian Garden, also known as Havasupai Garden.

On the final, most grueling leg, I wished I had hit the Stairmaster at the gym prior to the trip.

When my hike was complete, I made sure to celebrate it properly. I'm glad I reserved a popular restaurant three months in advance.