Ep 020. Royal Arch Loop Day 4 (Trail Series). Easy 4,000 Foot Uphill + Snowy Surprise + Full Circle Moment

The final day of our Royal Arch Loop adventure is here! And guess what? It turned out to be one of the easiest days yet (despite the all-uphill terrain).

After days of brutal heat, high exposure, and endless scrambling, we finally got a break—a cool, breezy morning as we tackled our last challenge: hiking 4,000 feet out of the Grand Canyon.

In this episode, Meg and I reflect on what it took to complete one of the hardest backpacking routes in the canyon. We talk about the biggest wins, the most difficult moments, and what we’ll never forget about this adventure.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Waking up at 3 AM (again) to avoid the desert heat
• Surprisingly enjoyable uphill hiking (who knew?!)
• The Grand Canyon blessing us with cold air and even… snow? ❄️
• Our final climb out—feet destroyed but feeling strong
• The biggest lessons and takeaways from the hardest, most technical backpacking trip we’ve ever done

This is the perfect conclusion to an epic adventure. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to take on a serious desert challenge—or if this route is for you—this episode gives you all the real, honest insights.

Episode Resources & Links:

• Connect with Meg Atteberry on Instagram and TikTok @megintheforest
• Trail Guide Of the Royal Arch Loop

Learn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):

• She Dreams of Alpine Blog
• Instagram @shedreamsofalpine

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