Running Out of Water on the Royal Arch Loop in the Grand Canyon

The Royal Arch Loop (also referred to as the Royal Arch Route) is one of the most incredible backpacking routes in the Grand Canyon, but it’s also one of the hardest. I want to empower you to get out there, but I also would NOT suggest this route for beginners! It’s exceptionally dangerous and requires the use of ropes. It’s not only very physical and technical but extremely remote. You should come into the Royal Arch Route with the expectation that if something goes wrong, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. I would suggest having a high level of fitness and an extensive backpacking knowledge base before heading out. You should also have a few other off-corridor (read: not the Rim to Rim) trips under your belt before attempting this beast. ✨Trailhead Access The traditional route to the trailhead is closed because it travels over closed reservation land. The park ranger advises walking the boundary road near the gate with the reservation land. This will add 14 miles round-trip to your journey and require a water cache. The Grand Canyon Hiker’s Association has proposed an alternative driving route. You can learn more about it by joining the Grand Canyon Backpackers and Hikers Facebook group and searching South Bass Trailhead Access. For exact directions from this proposed route including info on the shady boulder, check out my trip report (play-by-play directions towards the bottom of the post): https://bit.ly/royalarchgrandcanyon ✨ Daily Vlog: Check out my daily vlog in short format on the trail. Simply tap the related video to head to the next day and follow along! https://youtube.com/shorts/cGtNGsU9KrE?si=PDQB3sFCIk3JQIE9 ✨Follow me… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Aforestfox/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foxintheforestblog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megintheforest/ ✨ Additional Resources ✨ Purchase Your America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass and enter Grand Canyon NP at no charge (affiliate link): https://bit.ly/nationalparkspass2024 Grand Canyon Backcountry Permit info: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675337 Top things to do in the Grand Canyon: https://bit.ly/grandcanyonactivities Grand Canyon hikes you’ll want to put on your bucket list: https://bit.ly/grandcanyonhikes Top Grand Canyon views: https://bit.ly/grandcanyonviews ✨Safe and responsible hiking Practice Leave No Trace: https://bit.ly/leaveitbetterthanufoundit Hiking Safely in the desert: https://bit.ly/deserthikingtips ✨Discover more about visiting the Grand Canyon like a pro: When to visit the Grand Canyon: https://bit.ly/3WlSQKk ✨My favorite desert backpacking gear 👇 OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: https://alnk.to/fSiBG9O SaltTabs Electrolyte Fast Chews (if you don’t like the water): https://amzn.to/4mTuum9 Granite Gear Blaze (for any overall weight above 30 lbs): https://alnk.to/ge87E1A Snapfolds UL Bowl: https://alnk.to/c09W6w0 MSR PocketRocket (pricier, but durable): https://rei.pxf.io/RGNnjN Platypus Gravity Works Filter: https://rei.pxf.io/POvV9e P&G Purifying Packet: https://amzn.to/3SPB7YN Alum Powder: https://amzn.to/4jGUKNz Sea to Summit UL 10L Collapsible Bucket: https://amzn.to/44dB4wg Silver Shadow Mini Sun Umbrella by Six Moon Designs: https://alnk.to/6xMrH5r Gossamer Gear Hands-free Umbrella Pack Clips: https://alnk.to/aWFoduk One Hydration Drinking tube for SmartWater Bottle: https://alnk.to/4XxCRKZ Ratsack medium: https://amzn.to/45R7GNz Loksak: https://amzn.to/43FMfOf Sunscreen stick: https://amzn.to/43PDbq9 REI Cork-Grip Hiking Poles: https://rei.pxf.io/POvVZe Kula Cloth Pee Rag: https://alnk.to/5Q7pLD5 Garmin inReach Mini: https://rei.pxf.io/JKvV0q Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: https://rei.pxf.io/zx5b3r Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp: https://alnk.to/bEkq8CG Thermarest Z Lite (more durable, pricier, better R value): https://rei.pxf.io/raqDrG Enlightened Equipment Enigma Sleeping Quilt 20F: https://alnk.to/aWFodLm Duece of Spades Toilet Trowel: https://alnk.to/2Qyx6dv Culo Clean Bidet: https://amzn.to/4l08ST7 Big Agnes Copper Spur (I own 1p, 2xl, 3xl and LOVE them all): https://rei.pxf.io/2aL5zD NOTE These are affiliate links. I get a small kickback from every purchase, no matter the purchase, at no additional cost to you. This is a small way you can show support for my channel and it means a lot! #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #nationalpark #nationalparkgeek #hikingadventures #hikingroutes #grandcanyonhikes #backpackinggrandcanyon ✨Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 00:16 - Trailhead access 00:26 - required skills and safety info 00:38 - best time to backpack the Royal Arch Loop 00:57 - Ideal trip length 01:02 - Route length, difficulty, and trail facts 01:08 - Day 1: South Bass to Royal Arch 01:55 - Day 2: Royal Arch to Toltec Beach and the Elves Chasm via a rappel 02:54 - Optional Day 3 03:04 - Day 3: Getting lost. Tonto Trail via Garnet Canyon 03:56 - Day 4: Tonto Trail to the South Bass Trailhead 04:30 - Outro 04:36 - Outtake - Canyon tree frog symphony