Rim-to-Rim Xtreme Challenge
Join us for an ultimate crossing of the Grand Canyon on the remote North and South Bass trails.
Grand Canyon North and South Rims
Price range: $2,695 through $2,795
Trek Rim-to-Rim Without the Crowds, or a Bridge
Our Rim-to-Rim Xtreme Challenge is a Grand Canyon adventure unlike any other. Traverse from rim to rim on the North and South Bass trails in solitude and connect with the Grand Canyon’s raw and rugged beauty. There is no bridge to cross on our Rim-to-Rim route – instead, we’ll rely on pack rafts to navigate the mighty Colorado River. Covering a total distance of 21 miles (Rim-to-Rim Fall typical trek) or 42 miles (select Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim May treks) on trail, 50 miles of 4wd dirt road travel, and a short jaunt of river travel, our four-night, five-day adventure includes time to enjoy remote beaches, plunge into cool creek swimming holes, and explore side canyons as we journey through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes nature has to offer. Leave the crowds behind and join us for this ultimate Grand Canyon crossing.
Our Rim-to-Rim Xtreme Challenge is the fourth trip introduced as part of our Grand Canyon Limited Edition experiences (2024) and will utilize the North Bass and South Bass trail systems.
Please note our May 2 – 6, 2027 treks will follow a different itinerary and have roughly 21 additional miles (42 in total) on it as we go Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R). Our Oct 3 – 7, 2027 will follow the standard Rim-to-Rim itinerary.
What’s included
- Transportation between Flagstaff, AZ area meeting point and trailhead
- Guided trek over 5 days to Grand Canyon North and South Rims and Colorado River
- All meals and snacks while in the backcountry
- Backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad if needed
- Personalized pack-check prior to departure
- Group gear and equipment
- Flexible cancellation policy
- Inspiration for a lifetime
What’s not included
- Meals in the front-country
- Lodging in the front-country, pre- or post-trek
How it works
A $500 deposit per person is required with balance due 60 days prior to the event. Typical group size of 7, including one guide. Maximum group size of 11, including two guides. Trek dates may be adjusted +/- one day until permits are finalized 4 months in advance of departure (when Grand Canyon permits are issued). An additional 5% charge will be applied when your reservation is made to offset new fees mandated by the National Park Service. Private, family and modified itinerary trips available through TSX Pods. Book with confidence! Review our flexible cancellation policy.
Itinerary
All of our Rim-to-Rim Xtreme Challenge experiences traverse remote and rugged North and South Bass trails between the Rim and River. Please note mileage is not indicative of difficulty! Individual experience levels, group size, as well as permit allowances, will determine which direction will be run on which dates. While the exact distance, camp locations, and direction of each trek may vary, here is a representative itinerary.
Day 1 – South Bass Trailhead to Redwall Camp (~3 miles)
On the day of your trek start date, we’ll convene at 9:00am in the lobby of the Little America Hotel, Flagstaff. After brief introductions, we’ll load gear and water and begin the adventure to our South Rim trailhead. Not for the undetermined, the 3-hour drive will require over 20 miles of driving on dirt roads. Once at the trailhead, we’ll hand out gear, grab lunch, then begin our 3 mile descent to our dry camp above the Redwall.
Day 2 – Redwall Camp to North Bass Rapids (~5 miles)
Our adventure continues as we continue our descent into the Grand Canyon on the South Bass trail, reaching the beaches above Bass Rapids by lunch. After a hearty meal, we’ll inflate the rafts and make our crossing across the Colorado River to our camp on the beaches on the north side of the river.
Day 3 – North Bass Rapids to Shinumo Creek (~5 miles)
Our hike continues as we begin our ascent on the remote and rugged North Bass trail. This day includes a hike along the lush flowing waters of Shinumo Creek, above the old Bass camp. We’ll take a plunge to freshen up in the perfect canyon swimming hole, then establish camp upstream to enjoy the evening.
Day 4 – Shinumo Creek to Frog Tanks (~4 miles)
We’ll continue to work our way towards the Rim exploring hidden canyons and taking in the beauty and remoteness of the North Bass trail. Our camp tonight is what we affectionally refer to as the Frog Tanks, an oasis and serene resting spot for the weary traveler. An afternoon dip, and good night’s rest will prepare us for our final push to the North Rim.
Day 5 – Frog Tanks to North Rim Trailhead (~4 miles)
This will be our last day on the trail. An early morning hike will take us back above the Red Wall, and then onto one of the more rugged, and challenging sections of trail, before our final push to the top of the Canyon’s rim. We’ll be greeted by our return transportation, and after a hearty celebration lunch, we’ll return back to Flagstaff, and home to brag.
Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R) Adjusted Route
For spring treks scheduled before May 15, we will start and end on the South Rim via the South Bass trail, with 2–3 nights planned on the North Rim. Our plan is to go R2R2R with the following itinerary:
Day1 – South Bass TH to Bass Rapids (8 mi) | Day 2 – Bass Rapids to Frog Tanks (7.5 mi) | Day 3 – Optional layover or Frog Tanks to North Rim and back (11 mi – day hike) | Day 4 – Frog Tanks to Bass Rapids (7.5 mi) | Day 5 – Bass Rapids to South Bass TH (8 mi)
Bring your A-game and an appetite for a challenge!
Logistics
Trek date confirmation
We apply for Grand Canyon permits through a lottery system on the 1st of the month, four months in advance of our planned trek date. Permits are typically issued and within two weeks of submission. You’ll receive an email from us as soon as the dates for your trek are confirmed. Once confirmed, you can start making plans for transportation and pre-trek/post-trek accommodations.
Pre and post trek accommodations
Secure a lodging reservation in Flagstaff, AZ as soon as your trek dates are confirmed. You can request a TSX “corporate rate” at Little America Hotel (flagstaff.littleamerica.com / 800.865.1401) in Flagstaff. We will be hosting our pre-trek orientation at the hotel and will depart from the hotel on the morning of our hike (prices typically $125-$175 with discount). The nearby hotels on Lucky Lane are also a popular option and within walking distance (prices typically $75-$105). If you plan on staying somewhere else, that is ok with us! Let us know where you end up and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Transportation
If traveling by air, Flagstaff is the preferred airport. There is a free hotel shuttle to Little America Hotel from the Flagstaff airport. If flying into Phoenix, consider taking a shuttle or bus to Flagstaff, or renting a car. Reserve your shuttle spot in advance with Groome Transportation (groometransportation.com or 928.350.8466), or book your Greyhound Bus seat from Phoenix to Flagstaff in advance. You may also be able arrange customized shuttle service with Uber or Lyft. If you are driving in from the West or North (i.e. California, Utah, etc.), you can alternatively plan to meet us on Day 1 at a designated meetup point about 30 minutes from Fredonia, AZ to reduce your drive time.
Arrival time
When scheduling flights or planning your drive, please allow enough time to arrive no later than 7pm the evening before your trek begins so that you can attend the pre-trek orientation (typically scheduled between 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Little America Hotel, Flagstaff lobby).
Departure time
We plan on exiting the trail between 10am and 12pm on the last day of the trek. However, the last day includes a long five-hour return drive back to Flagstaff. Please plan your return transportation accordingly. If flying out of Flagstaff on the same day, we suggest scheduling flights for departure no earlier than 7pm. Staying one additional night on the South Rim or in Flagstaff and departing the following day is also a popular option.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Don’t own a backpack, tent or sleeping bag? We provide all major gear for those who request it at no additional charge. We also take care of all group items like stoves, food, water filters, first aid and more. Your guides will do the cooking and dishes. Just show up with your personal items ready to hike!
4 reviews for Rim-to-Rim Xtreme Challenge
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Tim McDonough (verified owner) –
The Grand Canyon Few People Ever Get to Experience
There are trips you take, and then there are experiences that stay with you for the rest of your life. The TSX Rim-to-Rim Xtreme Challenge on the South and North Bass trails was unquestionably the latter.
If you want to truly experience the Grand Canyon rather than simply hike through it, this is the trip. The South and North Bass trails take you into a part of the Canyon that few people ever see. The trails are rugged, remote and at times difficult to follow, which is exactly what makes this adventure so special. TSX describes the route as a remote crossing that includes the North and South Bass trails and a pack-raft crossing of the Colorado River, far removed from the traditional Rim-to-Rim experience.
But what transformed an incredible route into the experience of a lifetime was our guide, Charlotte.
Her leadership throughout the trip was masterful. She navigated our troop seamlessly through challenging terrain, kept everyone organized and confident, and somehow managed to carry the heaviest load while doing it. Great guides know the trail. Exceptional guides understand the people they are leading. Charlotte did both. She knew when to push, when to pause, when to encourage and when to simply let the Canyon speak for itself.
There is something extraordinary about looking around and realizing that there are no crowds, no tour buses and no easy way out. It is just your group, your guide and one of the most magnificent landscapes on Earth. You earn every view, every campsite and every mile.
Crossing the Colorado, hiking through remote creek beds, climbing through rugged sections of trail and eventually emerging at the opposite rim created a sense of accomplishment that is difficult to put into words.
This wasn’t simply a Rim-to-Rim hike. It was an adventure in the truest sense of the word.
TSX created the opportunity, the Bass trails provided an unforgettable setting, and Charlotte turned it into an experience none of us will ever forget.
If you want the well-traveled version of the Grand Canyon, there are plenty of options. If you want to experience the Grand Canyon few people ever get to see, do this trip.
Experience of a lifetime. Five stars doesn’t seem like enough.
Erin Trost (verified owner) –
Being able to do a rim to rim on the Bass Trails and packrafting the Colorado River is a once in a lifetime experience! Given the complicated logistics and the need to carry a packraft and extra water I would never have been able to do this without the TSX team. Our guides, Dirk and Trey, did the heavy lifting (literally) and kept our group safe and organized. The South Bass trail is well marked and well maintained, but still sometimes steep and rocky. The North Bass trail isn’t as well marked or well maintained and involves some scrambling and bushwhacking through the creek beds, but never anything too difficult. While there is definitely some narrow trails with exposure, there was never anything that was too bothersome; this is a great route for people that are a bit worried about heights. The R2R itinerary was relaxed with our group of experienced hikers mostly finishing our hikes in a half day or less (4-ish hours). The hike from “Frog Tanks” to the North Rim is more challenging and took our group longer — this would be a long day hike and a serious challenge on the R2R2R itinerary. The campsites were all terrific – some great views and beach camping. Our group spent quite a bit of time hanging out at camp so I would definitely recommend having something to entertain yourself and consider a lightweight camp chair as your “luxury” item. I’m looking forward to more adventures with TSX.
Matthew Young –
I do not think I have the mastery of the English language enough to properly describe how amazing this hike was. I know that seems over the top, but this trip was everything so thought it would be plus so much more. From the welcome introduction, to the last day, I felt I could not possibly have a better experience. TSX took amazing care of us and showed us nature as I’ve never seen before. Dirk was an incredible guide and not only made sure that we were taking care of ourselves but also listened and adjusted to our needs while also just being a wonderful person to talk to on the trail. Also, make sure to call him, Camelback, as he carried additional weight so that others could fully enjoy the trail. This included carrying over 3 gallons of water while we ascended the canyon. Now, I want to stress that the rim to rim can be difficult with plenty of loose rock, brush, etc but I never felt like it was an impossible task and that comes down how TSX helped me prepare via emails with helpful reminders and tips and how Dirk handled the day to day hike. The trail is hands-down one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen and I would highly suggest not only doing this trail but doing it with TSX because they will only improve the one in the lifetime experience that comes with this hike. I look forward to using them again for another hike.
Niki Stokols –
If you’re looking to see how fast you can traverse R2R to say you did it, look elsewhere.
We took our time to appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon. The first day was just getting to the South Bass trailhead on a 4WD dirt road that we walked a couple of the miles. After lunch on the rim, we hiked down to Redwall and set up camp on a plateau where the Grand Csnyon opened up just steps away with a beautiful open view. The sky so clear we could see the milky way. The next day we hiked up and down to the Colorado River where we sat in the shade, inflated the rafts, set up camp on the beach and spent the day relaxing. We played in the river, practiced paddling across it, and watched the River Rafting tours float by. Early the next morning we paddles across, ferrying our group and gear across the river. Soaked ourselves in the river and then continued our trek up the North Bass trailhead. We hiked on trails that had seen less than 150 people in the previous year. Our theme each day was first light (around 6 a.m.) go beat the heat. We took side trips yo look for waterfalls. We played in creeks and rested at a frog pond with frogs the size of silver dollars. These were our midday breaks to avoid hiking in the heat of the day. The final day we started again at first light and hiked until we had a shady spot for lunch then we hiked out, each person picking their own pace. The exit was long ramp switchbacks that seemed to go on forever, but no stairs to climb :D. We ended with a campout on the rim with a beautiful ssunsettinging the canyon in orange.
The terrain on the North and South Bass trails is challenging with loose rock, overgrown vegetation, disappearing and reappearing trails, wet and dry creek beds to navigate and cactus and other prickly plants to avoid. But we work together and we all made it across from Rim to Rim. We had 9 participants and two guides and no one else the entire trip. As always, our guides, Dirk and Chris, were awesome. They do the cooking (all fresh food everyone helped carry) and made sure we were on the right route. Although we all carried parts for the rafting (paddles,life jackets), I believe Dirk carried the two inflatable rafts). They both carried the extra water we’d need on the south rim before we got to water and on the north rim after leaving the creeks behind. This was my 7th trek with TSX Challenge because they’ve spoiled me for any other type of backpacking experience. If you train properly, I believe with TSX Challenge, you can achieve a R2R experience like nothing else offered at the Gran Canyon.