Christie_E, Sep 2026
Well, I wanted to be awestruck…and I WAS!
I cannot thank Jon with Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes enough!
We'd never been to the Grand Canyon, so I went to Cool Destinations looking for Grand Canyon excursions with lots of 5-star ratings, saw that Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes had many of those, selected it and hit the jackpot.
Didn't read the fine print, and wasn't sure how it would be. Didn't matter! Jon was prepared with anything and everything we could possibly want or need (trekking poles, back packs, water, a frozen Gatorade that melted to a perfect refreshing slush just when we needed it, and a goodie bag extravaganza that has to be seen to be believed filled with M&M's, peanut butter filled pretzels, Skittles, more great snacks, toilet paper and a map!).
And headlamps (yes, headlamps!)
Jon curated the excursion based on our fitness/preparedness (which he expertly gaged within a very short time of meeting us) and gave us perfect instruction on how to use the trekking poles. Plenty of stops for water breaks, snack breaks and photo ops!
He selected a 3-mile hour trek down the Grand Canyon starting the starting at the South Kaibab trail to O'Neill Butte, the most picturesque, panoramic spot you could wish for, for a sunset dinner. Yes! Sunset dinner! We arrived at our destination and while my husband and I were taking in the view and talking about how much fun we were having, Jon was inconspicuously preparing a beautiful dinner for us: chicken avocado tomato sandwich brilliantly seasoned and topped with cheese, hummus and a savory dressing. I thought I was too excited to be hungry, but I ate every single bite! Delicious! Fresh! It was so substantial I needed a fork (and of course he had one at the ready--he kept pulling out the perfect thing from his backpack like Santa Claus).
I feel like we experienced the Grand Canyon in the most unique, intimate and wonderful way. As we maneuvered down to our dinner destination in the afternoon, exhausted hikers were straggling back up the trail (a couple of whom Jon provided emergency water for). After our dinner, we made our climb as the sun was setting and a gentle breeze was blowing. Everything was choreographed in the perfect way. As the sun set a bright half-moon rose to light our way. As darkness fell, we were guided by our headlamps and starlight. Magic!
This was a perfect excursion. Go with Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes. You will be thrilled!
