Then it's time to go back up. Rangers stress that visitors to Arizona's biggest attraction need to be reasonable in their self-expectations and take responsibility for their own safety, rather than expecting others to take care of them. What the rangers have trouble understanding is why people travel so far to become miserable. Kassovic points out. Because trails to the bottom of the Grand Canyon take hikers through seven climatic zones, the rim temperature can be mild while the temperature in the inner gorge can hit 120 degrees.
Many trails offer no water and little shade.
Three summers ago, the Park Service began using Preventive Search and Rescue rangers during the summer months. They greet people on the trail, ask how far they plan to hike, how much water they have, what they've eaten. In addition, Babbitt's General Store opened kiosks at two South Rim trailheads, offering bottled water, hats, sunscreen, snacks and advice. Patti Marrable works a kiosk during the summer and talks with would-be hikers. So many people who come here have no concept of how big the Canyon is.