Conquer The Canyon®

Hiking etiquette

As you begin to prepare yourself for your adventures near your home and at the park, here are a few but very important things that you can do to maximize the experience for yourself and those around you.

For many of you, hiking will be a whole new experience -- we welcome you. Others may be quite adventuresome and have an impressive resume' of hiking around the world. If you are that person, we also welcome you and we hope you will assist newer people with advice and guidance along the way.

As a member of the Conquer The Canyon Team, you will want to join your fellow participants, The Walking Connection and our guides in becoming "Stewards" of the trail. Where ever we walk and hike, it is up to all of us to protect and respect the natural wonders that surround us.

Take only pictures and fond memories. Leave only footprints!

To make your experience, and those around you, the best it can possibly be, we have established a list of "rules of the trail," to help you while you are training on your local trails.

• Blend in with the normal traffic patterns of the trail. Don't disrupt, crowd or clog any trail with a large group. Walk single file.

• Silence is golden! Especially in a group. Most people hike to enjoy nature and the peace and tranquility. Take the time to listen to the birds chirp and the wind blow. No shouting, whistling or cheering!

• Facilities For A Private Moment! There may not be facilities where you are training for your hike. Don't plan on them at the Grand Canyon. "How to Shit in the Woods!" It's a title of a book...no kidding. Click Here!

• Pack it in, Pack it out! Take what you need in, take everything (including personal papers) OUT! -- A small zip lock bag is very handy for this.

• Don't Pick The Daisy's! Wildflowers and indigenous plants and minerals belong where you find them. Enjoy them as you pass. Leave them for others to Enjoy!

• Turn your cell phone OFF and lose the headphones.

• Stay on the Trail...no bush whacking or cutting switchbacks. It is dangerous, disruptive and destructive.

• Yield to people heading uphill, they are working harder and they have the right of way.

• No horseplay, people pretending to fall too often have.

• Don’t feed the wildlife. It endangers you and them. SPECIAL NOTE: At the Grand Canyon, ground squirrels are very common and very aggressive. They will eat out of your hand if you feed them. Please don't!

Hiking and Trail Etiquette Links

Todd's Desert Hiking Guide - Excellent Resource!

ABC's of Hiking Etiquette - This is a very good site.

The Aspen Times - Hiking Etiquette - More good ideas.

Emily Post Goes Hiking - No fooling! Even Emily knows proper hiking etiquette.

City of Phoenix Parks | Trails And Open Spaces | OpenSpace.org

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• Adventure Guidelines & Code of Conduct.
• Buying, Fitting and Wearing the Correct Hiking Boots.
• Hiking Safety in Grand Canyon.
• Trail Descriptions.
• Hiking Etiquette. (All trails)
• Grand Canyon History.

NEXT STEP: Training - Online Guidebook

Hike On!