The south kaibab and bright angel trails are two of the grand canyons classic hiking trails. Hike the bright angel trail to plateau point in grand canyon. Bright angel trail footpath offers strenuous, positive. It is more difficult than the first half of the hike because you are going uphill, but your pack can be a bit lighter since there are three rest stops with potable water along the trail. One of only two fully maintained hiking routes into the grand canyon from the south rim south kaibab is the other, the bright angel trail begins near the main visitor complex, at the start of the hermits rest road, and follows the course of garden creek, reaching the colorado after 9. Bright angel trail hiking tips arizona raft adventures. Mar 28, 2012 bright angel campground is gorgeous and the hike to ribbon falls was a great day hike. Bright angel trail to bright angel campground and river trail is a 17. Hike 3 mile resthouse on the bright angel trail 2020. South kaibabbright angel loop hiking trail, grand canyon. We took the bright angel trail down, camping at the bright angel campground by phantom ranch. The bright angel trail is what the parks service calls a corridor trail. In summer read the summer hiking page and in winter read the winter hiking page.
I had been to gcnp about 6 years about, but wasnt able to hike below the rim since i had a dog with me dogs arent allowed below the rim. Jan 03, 2020 the bright angel trail bakersfield to grand canyon at the south rim is roughly around 510 miles, fairly long drive along the stretch of mojave desert and into the high country of northern arizona. Zigzag your way down 3,195 feet on nearly 100 switchbacks to indian garden, an oasis smudged into a crease in the canyon wall. The trailhead begins at the north rim lodgevisitor center that rests of the edge of the grand canyon and heads east until you reach bright angel point a half mile later. I was graciously invited to join a party of three other women autumn, annette, and gretchen on their five day, four night hike from hermit trail to bright angel starting on september 14 th.
Well maintained, graded for stock, with regular drinking water and covered resthouses, it is without question the safest trail in grand canyon national park. From the rim, nearly 100 switchbacks snake down the canyon, etched into the red rock, cutting a thin ribbon of matted red dirt. Although steep and challenging, its wellmaintained and makes a terrific introduction to inner canyon hiking. Elevation change from rim to river is 4460 ft 60 m, along a 7. Backpacking the bright angel trail, grand canyon national park backpacking the bright angel trail in grand canyon national park has been one of my longtime backpacking goals.
Descend the bright angel trail from the south rim to indian garden. One of the two superhighways of the grand canyon, this well maintained and popular trail offers breathtaking vistas, some shaded areas. This is unfortunate since it is such an incredible time of year for backcountry treks. Hiking the bright angel trail we arise when the first bus leaves our campsite.
Counterclockwise descending the azt passage 38 south kaibab trail and ascending the bright angel trail is the npss recommended direction of travel. Whether you go up the trail on the last day of an upper canyon raft adventure or down the trail on the first day of a lower canyon raft adventure, the bright angel trail is mandatory. North kaibab, south kaibab, and bright angel trails. North rim hikes best of the grand canyon backpacking nut. The south kaibab and bright angel trails are the most popular trails in the park. Head up the well signposted trail to the canteen at phantom ranch to. A day prior to our trip we been inundated with weather news regarding the blizzard of the grand canyon south rim. Follow path along rim, trail starts by mule corral.
Check the backcountry updates and closures page for current information on trail conditions and situations affecting the backcountry. This mile section of the tonto trail is bookended by bright angel trail to the east and hermit trail to the west, and is a recommended backpack trip. During the second week of november, a buddy and i are considering a rim to river to rim hike in the grand canyon. The other grand canyon hike to the bottom from the south rim is the south kaibab trail. The bright angel trail is the most famous of the grand canyon trails and the most popular route for hiking down the grand canyon from the south rim to the colorado river. The primary thing to keep in mind when winter hiking is that the weather. The bright angel trail is the most used trail in the park. Bright angel may be considered the premier hiking trail from the south rim in grand canyon national park. Read more about necessary permits for backpacking trips leaving indian garden. As you journey down the bright angel trail, you descend into rock that is almost 2 billion years old. The bright angel trail is the most popular trail on the south rimand with good reason. An extremely popular long day hike or backpack is to descend the south kaibab and ascend the bright angel trail. Grand canyon backpacking south rim bright angel express.
Bright angel trail to bright angel campground and river. Snaking up the winding path of bright angel trail, we savor the magnificence of almost 40 layers of rock exposed within the canyon walls. We are planning to descend south kaibab trail, walk along river trail, and ascend via bright angel trail. You have 14 miles and 5,761 feet of elevation to descend to the bright angel campground, so bring those trekking poles if you have bad knees like myself. If camping, do so at the bright angel campground, though a backcountry permit is required. Hike to bright angel point on the grand canyons north rim. Hiking grand canyons bright angel trail in between lattes image. Guided backpacking trip grand canyon bright angel trail. Ad planned to overnight stay at of bottom the canyon planned buttshcane. Often overlooked in favor of its southern counterpart, the grand canyon north rim offers some of the best hikes in the western us.
Oct 04, 2019 the havasupai people, who once lived in the south rim area, built the bright angel trail in what must have been a daring and painstaking effort. Back then, you had to pay a dollar to access the trail, and cameron charged extra to use the outhouses and water. Near the top of our ascent, we saw lots of people in tennis shoes. The havasupai people, who once lived in the south rim area, built the bright angel trail in what must have been a daring and painstaking effort. Resthouses, complete with shade, water and an emergency telephone, are spaced in 1. Backpack the bright angel trail to indian garden and bright. Starting near several popular hotels, it provides convenient access below the rim, offering dramatic views of the inner canyon. In comparison to the south kaibab route, bright angel offers a more gradual climb, more shade, and most importantly, several potable water spigots. Kaibab is pronounced kybab where ky rhymes with eye and bab rhymes with cab for those of you who arent big on sounding like a tourist. This trail is the daily descent route for passenger mules, so once again, encounters on the trail are likely. Private citizens, the santa fe railway, and government officials contested ownership of the bright angel trail from 1901 to 1928, when control finally passed to the national park service.
This is a beginners guide to hiking the grand canyon. When they were forced out by the park service, the trail was extended to the river by ralph cameron. From here, you can take the clear creek trail east along the river, or use the corridor trails to make your own transcanyon loop route. As the season starts turning cold, questions come in from readers about hiking the grand canyon in winter. Although we tried six months ago to get a permit to camp at phantom ranch, they were already reserved. Backpack the bright angel trail to indian garden and. Reservations for overnight tent or rv camping in developed use areas on the canyon rims mather, desert.
Finally, following in the footsteps of only the most resolute backcountry explorers, well celebrate our rim to rim accomplishment along the edges of the canyons magnificent south rim. You can combine these two trails together to create one massive day hike or a twoday backpacking trip. Bright angel trail is one of the most trafficked trails in the park, and you will definitely notice the crowds. Grand canyon bright angel trail information hiking. With its long distance and nearly a mile of elevation gain, this is a. Its one thats easy to make on the bright angel trail, which departs from the south rims commercial cluster. I had been to gcnp about 6 years about, but wasnt able to hike below the rim since i.
This guided backpacking trip in the grand canyon on the bright angel trail can be scheduled as a two or three day journey. From the south rim at grand canyon village, it descen. Grand canyon backpacking rim to rim north kaibab to. As native americans once did, we will hike in their footsteps along the bright angel fault to enter the inner canyon. Bright angel trail is the most traveled hike at the grand canyon. Hiking the grand canyon bright angel loop mule supported.
Our familys grand canyon hike on the bright angel trail. There is a ranger station located at the trails halfway point. Bright angel trail hiking trail, grand canyon, arizona. Hiking back up the bright angel trail from bright angel campground requires you to hike 4,500 feet up in 10 miles. Backcountry trail distances grand canyon national park u. Its a tough hike, but the bright angel trail is the safest and most wellmaintained trail in the park. The bright angel trail will take you all the way to the colorado river. Enjoy stunning views along the colorado river before heading up pipe creek along the bright angel trail. From the bright angel trailhead, zigzag your way down 3,195 feet to indian garden, an oasis smudged into a crease in the canyon wall. Permits are valid only for the trip leader, itinerary, number of people, and dates specified on the permit. Start at the north rim of grand canyon national park at the north kaibab trail.
That convenience attracts scores of impulsive hikers who find that going down is easybut climbing up is torturous. Aug 27, 2016 a 3day, 2night winter backpacking trip in grand canyon national park on the bright angel and south kaibab trails. Grand canyon bright angel trail terrence zhang medium image. Located on the south rim, trail begins just west of bright angel lodge. Hiking the bright angel trail, grand canyon national park. The bright angel trail is one of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the world. Over 4,000 feet up and down, this hike isnt easy, but the views are one of a kind. Feb 08, 2017 as the trail begins to flatten out, the rock walls transition from mauv limestone to bright angel shale. Theres no way to trace the entire trail with your naked eye. Backpacking the grand canyon first part the bright angel trail the land of the havasupai, hualapai, navajo and the hopi the bright angel trail bakersfield to grand canyon at the south rim is roughly around 510 miles, fairly long drive along the stretch of mojave desert and into the high country of northern arizona.
This trail offers a wonderful contrast to the views found along the kaibab trail on day 1. Backpacking the grand canyon first part the bright angel trail. The main pieces of gear youll want for dayhiking the bright angel trail include. Ralph cameron, one of the early pioneers who built the bright angel trail and who would later become an arizona senator, by 1903 had come to an agreement with the resident havasupai allowing him to build a camp for tourists. Upper portion of trail may be extremely icy in winter or early spring.
The bright angel trail is considered the parks premier hiking trail. Hermit to bright angel hike hit the trail at grand canyon. Apr 21, 2010 the bright angel trail is the premier trail in grand canyon national park. Bright angel campground grand canyon grand canyon trust. The trip will take us into the grand canyon via one of its most classic trails. Together with south kaibab, it is one of the two corridor trails that are maintained to lead people and pack mules to the colorado river in the bottom.
May 27, 2018 the south kaibab and bright angel trails are the most popular trails in the park. The climb out of the canyon on the bright angel trail ascends 4,380 feet in 9. After some rest and relaxation, we will take an enjoyable stroll out to plateau point to take in one of the greatest views grand canyon has to offer. Head up the well signposted trail to the canteen at phantom ranch to grab a snack or a cold drink with ice. So we must hike the entire distance down to the colorado river and back in a day, hence, the earlybird start. The south kaibab to bright angel loop backpacking trip is among the most popular grand canyon hikes. The knowledge of basic bright angel trail hiking tips and etiquette comes in handy as you tackle the trail.
The bright angel trailhead is located in the village, just west of bright angel lodge. Remember that uphill hikers have the right of way since they are doing the hard part, and to stay on the right side of the trail. Bright angel trail offers a meandering descent into the grand canyon and is the easiest trail that goes far below the rim. Bright angel trail most traveled hiking trail at the. Depending on the time of year, spring wildflowers may also line the trail. Explore one of the natural wonders of the world and get the experience of backpacking both grand canyon rims. As native americans once did, we will hike in their footsteps along the bright angel fault to enter the. Water is available yearround all along the bright angel trail, and youll find more shade in the garden and pipe creek canyons. Hiking the bright angel trail grand canyon hikerlore.
And even as you hike down the trail, its difficult to predict where it will lead 800 feet in front of you. The bright angel trail will lead us onward and upward along pipe and garden creeks, through the devils corkscrew and on to indian gardens, a beautiful, shaded oasis and our second campsite. Most choose to descend to the river on the south kaibab trail as this trail is shorter and steeper. Bright angel trail to bright angel campground and river trail. There are multiple turnaround points which can make the hike 3 miles, 6 miles, 9 miles, or 12 miles round trip. The complete guide to hiking the bright angel trail, grand. Bright angel trail to bright angel campground and river trail is a 28. Grand canyon hiking south kaibab and bright angel trails.
Hiking into the grand canyon in winter fodors travel. The bright angel trail to plateau point hike takes you on the grand canyons most popular hiking trail to the peaceful and scenic plateau point, offering stunning views of the colorado river. Permits for all overnight backcountry use must be obtained through the backcountry information center at grand canyon national park. Starting with the youngest, the kaibab limestone at the trailhead, you progress down gentle switchbacks through progressively older rock. Grand canyon, and one of the worlds best walk, treks, hikes and climbs. Bright angel point trail is the perfect hike for either hanging out at sunset with a beer or waking up and catching the sunrise with a cup of coffee. Bright angel trail day hike tour wildland trekking.
The bright angel trail is a better choice for the ascent as it is less steep and passes indian garden campground, a possible campground to break up the ascent. At 3 miles down, you will reach the threemile resthouse. Bright angel trail hike grand canyon, az 10adventures. You can look up from the bottom of what looked bottomless from where you stood long ago on the rim. Visitors can park their cars at maswik lodge or the backcountry office for easy access. Bright angel trail grand canyon grand canyon trust. Finally, following in the footsteps of only the most resolute backcountry explorers, well celebrate our rim to rim accomplishment. Only about 1% of people visiting grand canyon national park venture below the rim. If you can manage 2 nights at the bottom, go for it. Well maintained, graded for stock, with regular drinking water and covered resthouses, it is without question the. How to hike the south kaibab and bright angel trail in one. Dayhiking the bright angel trail to indian garden in the. A daypack with a slot for a hydration bladder so you can have plenty of drinking water on demand.
The trail begins on the south rim just west of kolb studio, and descends to the colorado river. Apr 09, 2020 the south kaibab and bright angel trails are two of the grand canyons classic hiking trails. South kaibab follows ridge lines and is a steeper hike and not suggested for ascents and offers huge vistas, whereas bright angel follows side canyons, has more shade and foliage and animal life, and is considered an easier ascent. It is a long, challenging hike but it makes for some incredible memories. Miners improved the trail in 1891 and began charging a toll for others to use it. Hiking to the river is only recommended if you are spending the night in the canyon, but. The havasupai forged the upper part of the bright angel trail to indian garden, where they lived seasonally.
Bright angel campground can be the perfect onenight excursion into the grand canyon, but many hikers use it as a stop on extended backpacking trips. The canyons steep, vertical walls limit rimtoriver routes. Read our bright angel trail description, browse our bright angel trail photos, find practical information for bright angel trail and join in with our trekking and hiking. A nice day hike on your layover day is to ribbon falls if youre feeling energetic about. Considered the most famous and easiest of the three corridor trails, the bright angel trail provides the perfect introduction to both the grand canyon and to backpacking. This is the most popular long distance trail in the national park.
Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep and the endangered california condors soaring overhead. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from september until may. Our familys grand canyon hike on the bright angel trail my. Begins near the main visitor center complex, grand canyon national park, az 86023. Bright angel trail grand canyon national park 2020 all. The corridor trails are heavily used and actively maintained. Bright angel trail provides access to the colorado river at phantom ranch, and is commonly used on rimtoriver and rimtorim treks. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking. Backpacking the grand canyon first part the bright angel. This itinerary features the very best of bright angel, as our expert local guides lead us on an immersive trek into the heart of one of the worlds most spectacular. And even as you hike down the trail, its difficult to.
689 836 995 1168 1268 1314 1026 1058 1047 1448 468 603 644 1347 782 1537 925 19 294 1342 1377 738 622 1341 652 919 1072 85 961 1068 75 732