Bright Angel Trail - Grand Canyon, AZ
Posted by: The Snowdog
N 36° 03.440 W 112° 08.615
12S E 397004 N 3990912
The Bright Angel Trail links the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, 4380 feet below.
Waymark Code: WM13J3X
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 12/22/2020
Views: 3
The Bright Angel Trail links the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River, 4380 feet below, and continues to the Bright Angel Campground. The eight-mile section between the rim and the river averages a 10% grade, and is seldom out of sight of spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. This trail is generally regarded as the most accessible means of hiking from the rim to the river.
Popular turn-around points on the trail for a day hike are the first Rest House (1.6 miles one way, 1000 foot drop), the second Rest House (3 miles, 2000 drop), and Indian Garden (5 miles, 2900 feet drop). The Bright Angel Campground at the Colorado River (8 mile hike from this trailhead) provides facilities for overnight camping. From the bottom of the trail one can return to this trailhead (16 mile hike total) or hike up to Yaki Point on the east end of the South Rim. Note that there are shuttle busses that work the South Rim, so you can start here, hike down and then back up to Yaki Point, and then catch a bus back here to your vehicle. There is plenty of parking at both South Rim trailheads. The truly adventurous can hike from the campground up to the North Rim and back down before returning.
The trail is well maintained and is in excellent condition. However, in winter and spring you will encounter ice and snow, particularly where the trail is shaded by the canyon. Recall that this trail averages 10% grade.
Take plenty of food (energy bars or whatever) and water on this hike. If you're camping you'll also need to bring your tent and camping supplies. On the bright side, the trail is in heavy use so you will seldom be out of sight of other hikers who can assist you if you encounter difficulties.
The upper part of the trail was originally built by the Havasupai people for access to the perennial water source of present-day Garden Creek. Forced out of the area by President Theodore Roosevelt to make room for a park, the trail was improved and extended to the bottom of the canyon by Ralph Cameron, who named the trail. Control of the trail finally fell to the National Park Service in 1928, who maintains it today.
Sources:
https://www.thecanyon.com/bright-angel-trail
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/brightangeltrail.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Angel_Trail