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Taking That Side Trail
Diversions aren't always what they seem... sometimes that's where the mind-blowing adventure lies
Simon Trask
October 22, 2025
Spring Break, 1997.
One of my favorite hiking memories took place when my family went on a camping trip to the Grand Canyon.
We had a hiking guide with a big group of several families, and every day we went on longer, prettier, more adventurous hikes deeper into the canyon. Every day there would be fewer and fewer people at the trailhead at meet-up time, and by the last day it was just a handful of us. My dad and I were the only representatives from our family, ready for the crescendo of the trip: hiking to the bottom and back up to the rim in the same day.
All the way down the trail, signs warned us not to do what we were doing. “WARNING: Do not attempt to hike to the bottom and back in the same day!”
It was a 17-mile round trip hike from where we were down to the Colorado River.
On the way back up, the guide asked if we wanted to take a detour to Plateau Point, a scenic overlook. It would add several miles, but he assured us it would be worth it.
When we got to the point, I recognized it from the postcards in the gift shop.
It was one of those spectacular rock outcroppings that hangs out over the canyon, and absolutely breathtaking to see in person. The experience of sitting out on that huge rock, surrounded by the magnitude and vastness of the canyon on all sides is powerfully memorable.
Of course, the whole way down the trail doubt crept in: Why are we doing this? Aren’t we accomplishing enough just by going to the river and back up? What are we trying to prove to ourselves?
But that view was worth every single strained step and drop of sweat.
After completing that hike, I wouldn’t trade the memory of that accomplishment nor the excruciating effort it took to get there for anything.
That hike was one of the hardest physical experiences of my life.
The last two or three miles up to the rim were absolutely brutal. It’s some of the steepest parts of the trail, and we finished it in the dark. Heat still radiated off the rocks from being baked in triple digit heat all day.
Hiking can lead to incredible experiences, but the best experiences come from the greatest amount of effort.
Hiking is difficult.
Hiking is worth it.
Hiking takes you places you’ve never imagined.
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