Hiking into the Grand Canyon with a 9-year-old sounds intimidating, but it may be more achievable than you think. We started before sunrise, hiked the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point, and made it back to the rim before the heat of the day. Along the way, Hudson gained confidence, we enjoyed incredible views of the Colorado River, and learned a few lessons that can help other families tackle this unforgettable adventure.

Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon brought only one thought to mind…. How far down is the river and how long will it take to hike down and back?