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Grand Canyon National Park, AZ: Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point
On nearly everyone’s life list, this iconic 12.6-mile hike dives deep into the depths of the Grand Canyon, and onto one of the most spectacular plateaus thousands of feet below the rim.
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| Author: | chelassed |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Arizona (AZ) |
| Distance: | 9.95 mi |
| Difficulty: | 8 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
TO TRAILHEAD: I-40 West from Flagstaff to 180 North to Grand Canyon. From entrance head towards Bright Angel Lodge for parking.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
ACTIVE LOG
| Distance: 9.95 mi | Points: 765 |
ACTIVE LOG
Points of Interest
GCP001
Location: 36.057964, -112.142441Directly next to the Kolb Studio, begin descending into the depths of the Grand Canyon along the Bright Angle Trail.
GCP002
Location: 36.057796, -112.145294Unlike most hikes where the trail is hidden by ridgelines, valleys, and canyons, this out-and-back is nearly completely visible, snaking thousands of feet below in a small ribbon of matted red dirt etched into the canyon wall.
GCP003
Location: 36.058193, -112.146530Hiking into the Grand Canyon is a geology lesson. The top layer, roughly 250 million years old, is known as Kaibab Limestone and is sandy to the touch.
GCP004
Location: 36.060307, -112.139091Continue left at 3-way junction. Immediately to your right is the 1.5-mile resthouse with water, bathrooms and an emergency telephone.
GCP005
Location: 36.061592, -112.139740Zigzag down nearly 100 switchbacks to Indian Gardens. Less than 2 miles into the canyon, it is impossible to not be overwhelmed with the size and sheer beauty of the deteriorating red rock walls.
GCP006
Location: 36.061264, -112.141754On the left is a large rock shaped like a sharks tooth.
GCP007
Location: 36.065491, -112.136154Three mile resthouse (2,212 ft.): Beginning in May, water is available, as well as shade and an emergency phone. Follow the small path behind the resthouse for a long view of the canyon. To reach Indian Gardens, continue down several more steep switchbacks with views of the Suapi Group rock formations below.
View of Hike Below From Trailhead
Location: 36.057899, -112.142464© Chelise Simmons
GCP008
Location: 36.066833, -112.135567Depending on the time of day, donkey trains may pass on the trail. To allow safe passage stand on the uphill side of the trail.
GCP009
Location: 36.067638, -112.133797The trail begins to flatten out, as the rock walls transform from Mauv Limestone to Bright Angle Shale. Depending on the time of year, spring wildflowers may line the tail.
GCP010
Location: 36.074612, -112.128853An oasis in the middle of the canyon, Indian Gardens has shade, water and a communal rest area.
GCP011
Location: 36.076019, -112.128616Continue straight at 3-way junction. The trail to the left leads to Indian Garden campgrounds.
GCP012
Location: 36.077015, -112.128372Shade and water can be found here.
GCP016
Location: 36.086147, -112.124344Veer right at Y-junction continuing out towards Plateau Point. The Bright Angle Trail is visible to the right a few hundred feet below.
GCP013
Location: 36.077423, -112.128120Veer right at Y-junction to continue. Bathrooms and benches flank the trail.
GCP014
Location: 36.078365, -112.127007Turn left at 3-way junction and cross over a small stream. The trail winds through some more vegetation before becoming exposed and heading out to Plateau Point.
GCP015
Location: 36.083771, -112.124825During springtime, pink and yellow cactus flowers dot the landscape adding a splash of color to the otherwise dusty red rock. Summer Point is also visible jutting out of the northeast.
Trailhead Sign
Location: 36.057919, -112.142441© Chelise Simmons
GCP017
Location: 36.093128, -112.116486Fill up your water bottles here before heading out to Plateau Point.
GCP018
Location: 36.093269, -112.115997Plateau Point: Hard to imagine that only hours before this point was thousands of feet below. Views extend up into the canyon, as the Colorado snakes down below. Rafting trips can be seen floating down from Phantom Ranch, and the Bright Angle Trail is also visible. <p> After basking in the view, make a u-turn and retrace the trail back up to the canyon’s rim. Depending on the time of year, the heat can rise into the hundreds, so make sure to drink plenty of water.
Californian Condor
Location: 36.057877, -112.142670Rare, but numbers are growing. In 2008 there's aproximately 50 in Northern Arizona. © Chelise Simmons
Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point
Location: 36.057911, -112.142578This is Where You're Headed. © Chelise Simmons
Sign & Trail
Location: 36.057816, -112.145287© Chelise Simmons
Limestone
Location: 36.058197, -112.146530© Chelise Simmons
Squirrel
Location: 36.057808, -112.146317© Chelise Simmons
Supai Rocks
Location: 36.058651, -112.143768© Chelise Simmons
1.5 Mile Resthouse
Location: 36.060299, -112.139099© Chelise Simmons
1.5 Mile Resthouse View
Location: 36.060371, -112.139099© Chelise Simmons
Toilet
Location: 36.060371, -112.139053© Chelise Simmons
View of 3 Mile Resthouse
Location: 36.060558, -112.138741© Chelise Simmons
From Behind Resthouse
Location: 36.060692, -112.138283© Chelise Simmons
Donkey Train
Location: 36.060665, -112.138504© Chelise Simmons
Plateau Point Sign
Location: 36.093212, -112.116180© Chelise Simmons
View of Colorado River
Location: 36.093243, -112.116035© Chelise Simmons
Rafting Tour Below
Location: 36.093243, -112.115921Looking NE up the Colorado, © Chelise Simmons
View of Hike Out
Location: 36.093151, -112.116402© Chelise Simmons
Path Splits
Location: 36.086193, -112.124420Cheop Point to the NW. © Chelise Simmons
Cool Rcok Formations
Location: 36.085720, -112.124725© Chelise Simmons
Beavertail Cactus
Location: 36.083778, -112.124893© Chelise Simmons
Agave
Location: 36.082615, -112.125679© Chelise Simmons
2 Way Junction
Location: 36.078358, -112.127022© Chelise Simmons
Stream
Location: 36.078499, -112.127121© Chelise Simmons
Shady Bench
Location: 36.077026, -112.128357© Chelise Simmons
Indian Gardens
Location: 36.077393, -112.128067© Chelise Simmons
Lizard
Location: 36.077446, -112.128082© Chelise Simmons
Wildflowers
Location: 36.067608, -112.133820© Chelise Simmons
Donkey Train
Location: 36.066818, -112.135643© Chelise Simmons
3 Mile Resthouse
Location: 36.065472, -112.136131© Chelise Simmons
Red Dirt
Location: 36.061275, -112.141716© Chelise Simmons
Mountain Goat
Location: 36.057716, -112.144516You might run into this friendly guy. © Chelise Simmons
Indian Gardens Begins
Location: 36.074646, -112.128883Indian Gardens Campground
Location: 36.076000, -112.128639Switchbacks
Location: 36.061684, -112.139832Related Trips
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