Last November, I was doing some hiking in the Grand Canyon. When I was coming up the South Kaibab trail,twenty minutes from the rim, I met a woman with two elementray school aged kids. Had no backpacks, fanny packs, or water visible. The mother stopped and asked me, "How long does it take to get to the bottom?" Somewhat taken aback, I thought for a moment and replied, "Getting to the river and back takes two days."* The mother seemed somewhat surprised at this, but didn't say anything. I continued on my way up the trail, and a few switchbacks up, I saw she and her kids had turned around and were following me up.

*Yes, I know some people do rim to river and back in one day, but someone who isn't carrying any gear and has to ask how long it takes to get to the river isn't one of them!