| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS | SUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | MAPS | VIDEOS | BLOGS | MARKETPLACE | CONTESTS |
 |
|
|
|
Grand Canyon National Park: Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point
This 10.7-mile out-and-back dives more than 3,000 feet to a photogenic perch offering five-star views of the Colorado River and the second deepest canyon in the United States.
Map Tools
Share Trip
- E-mail Trip
- Embed Map
- Social Bookmarks more bookmarks...
Download To
Create A Trip
Related Topics
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
| Author: | ? |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Arizona (AZ) |
| Distance: | 10.75 mi |
| Difficulty: | 8 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Point |
| Rating: |
 2 rating(s)
|
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. From the rim, nearly 100 switchbacks snake down the canyon, etched into the red rock, cutting a thin ribbon of matted red dirt. Resthouses, complete with shade, water and an emergency telephone, are spaced in 1.5 mile intervals along the trail. At Indian Garden, veer left and head out into the canyon to Plateau Point. The point, a spectacular overlook with views of the Colorado River, and the inner canyon’s depths, is worth every bit of sweat. To return, simply make a U-turn and head back up the canyon to the South Rim and one of the best ice cream cones ever, at the Bright Angel Lodge.
-Mapped by Chelise Simmons
PLAN IT
GUIDEBOOK AND MAP Hiking Grand Canyon National Park, 3rd Edition , Ron Adkison and Ben Adkison ($19, falcon.com). Trails Illustrated Grand Canyon ($12, natgeomaps .com). Plan other trips in the park using BACKPACKER's Grand Canyon National Park page.
CUSTOM TOPO MAPS Download tracks and waypoints, print or order custom topos, from the map tools menu on the web version of the trip report.
SEASON March to May and October to November. From June to September, inner canyon temps from are often above 100°F. Start early to beat the midday heat. Also, don't forget it is much easier to descend into the canyon than climb back up. Expect to spend at least double the time climbing than descending
KEY GEAR Wide-brim hat and six liters of water storage.
PERMITS $10 per permit, plus $5/person per night. Apply (nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm) on the first of the month four months prior to your hike date (e.g., June 1 for a hike beginning in Nov.) and fax it to (928) 638-2125
CONTACT Backcountry Information Office: (928) 638-7875 (from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday to Thursday), nps.gov/grca
STOCK UP Canyon Village Marketplace, South Rim. (928) 638-2262 http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
FREE TRIP PLANNERS Get news on vacation deals and lodging at mygrandcanyonpark.com
10 Summer Hiking Essentials
- Water - Plain and some with electrolyte replacement.
- Food - especially salty foods. Eat twice as much as normal.
- First Aid Kit - bandaids, ace wrap, antiseptic, moleskin, etc.
- Map - while many trails are well-marked, maps are helpful tools.
- Pack - to carry the essentials.
- Flashlight/Spare Batteries - allows you to hike out during the cool of the evening.
- Spray Bottle - fill with water for your own personal air conditioning system.
- Hat/Sunscreen - to keep the sun off you and protect your skin.
- Whistle and/or Signal Mirror - for emergency use.
- Waterproof Clothing - poncho or jacket; especially usefull during monsoon season (mid-July to early September).
The South Rim: Open All Year
The South Rim is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All visitor services: camping, lodging, and restaurants are available year round.Reservations are strongly recommended during the busy summer season. Some facilities are closed during the winter. A free shuttle bus system operates in the Grand Canyon Village area. Make your visit easier by parking your car at the Visitor Center and using the free shuttle buses to get around the village.
Market Plaza is the Business Center of the Village. Here you will find a general store and deli, a bank, post office, and cafeteria at Yavapai Lodge. Market Plaza has a large parking lot (B) and is in a central location. It is a good place to park and access the park's free shuttle system.
TO TRAILHEAD: From Flagstaff, take I-40 W/Purple Heart Trail to exit 165. Turn right onto AZ 64 N toward Grand Canyon National Park. In 54.7 miles, turn left onto Center Rd. In 1.6 miles, turn left onto Village Loop Dr. and park in lot on right. Walk across lot to access trailhead.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Bright Angel Trail
| Distance: 10.75 mi | Points: 792 |
Bright Angel Trail
Points of Interest
Supai Rocks
Location: 36.058697, -112.143784© Chelise Simmons
Mountain Goat
Location: 36.057663, -112.144524You might run into this friendly guy. © Chelise Simmons
Stream
Location: 36.078525, -112.127075© Chelise Simmons
Limestone
Location: 36.058197, -112.146530© Chelise Simmons
Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point
Location: 36.057899, -112.142601© Chelise Simmons
Red Dirt
Location: 36.061276, -112.141716© Chelise Simmons
Donkey Train
Location: 36.066826, -112.135529© Chelise Simmons
Rock Formations
Location: 36.085720, -112.124725© Chelise Simmons
1.5 Mile Resthouse View
Location: 36.060028, -112.137022© Chelise Simmons
Beavertail Cactus
Location: 36.083778, -112.124893© Chelise Simmons
View from the Trailhead
Location: 36.057918, -112.142510© Chelise Simmons
Trail Views
Location: 36.093117, -112.116486© Chelise Simmons
Resthouse
Location: 36.060466, -112.138841© Chelise Simmons
Trail Sign
Location: 36.057755, -112.145241© Chelise Simmons
Agave
Location: 36.082615, -112.125679© Chelise Simmons
View of Colorado River
Location: 36.093231, -112.116104© Chelise Simmons
Path Splits
Location: 36.086140, -112.124352Cheop Point to the NW. © Chelise Simmons
Californian Condor
Location: 36.057880, -112.142700These condors are rare, but their numbers are growing. In 2008 there are aproximately 50 in northern Arizona. © Chelise Simmons
Trailhead Sign
Location: 36.057934, -112.142456© Chelise Simmons
Toilet
Location: 36.060449, -112.139103© Chelise Simmons
Wildflowers
Location: 36.067608, -112.133820© Chelise Simmons
1.5 Mile Resthouse
Location: 36.060418, -112.138937© Chelise Simmons
Lizard
Location: 36.077435, -112.128021© Chelise Simmons
Indian Gardens
Location: 36.074585, -112.128792© Chelise Simmons
View of 3 Mile Resthouse
Location: 36.060531, -112.138739© Chelise Simmons
Squirrel
Location: 36.057850, -112.146339© Chelise Simmons
Trail Junction
Location: 36.078430, -112.127022© Chelise Simmons
Switchbacks
Location: 36.062107, -112.1400303 Mile Resthouse
Location: 36.065441, -112.136238© Chelise Simmons
Indian Gardens
Location: 36.077396, -112.128090© Chelise Simmons
Rafting Tour Below
Location: 36.093262, -112.115959Looking NE up the Colorado, © Chelise Simmons
Indian Gardens Campground
Location: 36.076000, -112.128616Shady Bench
Location: 36.077026, -112.128357© Chelise Simmons
Donkey Train
Location: 36.060583, -112.138658© Chelise Simmons
Plateau Point Sign
Location: 36.093185, -112.116287© Chelise Simmons
GCP001
Location: 36.057945, -112.142357Directly next to the Kolb Studio, begin descending into the depths of the Grand Canyon along the Bright Angel Trail.
GCP002
Location: 36.057758, -112.145294Unlike most hikes where the trail is hidden by ridgelines, valleys, and canyons, this out-and-back is mostly 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: 36.060388, -112.139023Continue left @ 3-way junction. Immediately to your right is the 1.5 Mile Resthouse with water, bathrooms and an emergency telephone. At this point the trail has dropped 1,065 feet into the canyon.
GCP005
Location: 36.062118, -112.140152Descending down the nearly 100 switchbacks to Indian Gardens, 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 shark's tooth.
GCP007
Location: 36.065441, -112.136246Three-Mile Resthouse: Water, shelter and an emergency phone are available starting in May. Indian Gardens, the next opportunity to get water, is now only 1.6 miles below. Optional: Follow the small path behind the resthouse for a stunning view of the canyon.
GCP008
Location: 36.066818, -112.135559Depending on the time of day, donkey trains may pass on the trail. To allow safe passage, stand on the uphill side of the trail and do not agitate the animals (or riders for that matter).
GCP009
Location: 36.067638, -112.133797As the trail begins to flatten out, the rock walls transition from Mauv Limestone to Bright Angel Shale. Depending on the time of year, spring wildflowers may also line the trail.
GCP010
Location: 36.074596, -112.128799An oasis in the middle of the canyon, Indian Garden has shade, water, and a rest area.
GCP011
Location: 36.076019, -112.128616Continue straight @ 3-way junction. The trail to the left leads to Indian Garden Campground.
GCP012
Location: 36.077015, -112.128372Shade and water can be found here.
GCP013
Location: 36.077396, -112.128090Veer right @ Y-junction; bathrooms and benches flank the trail.
GCP014
Location: 36.078423, -112.127029Turn left @ 3-way junction and cross over a small stream. The trail winds through more vegetation.
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 up to the northeast.
GCP016
Location: 36.086147, -112.124344Veer right @ Y-junction, heading northeast toward Plateau Point. The Bright Angel Trail is visible to the right a few hundred feet below.
GCP017
Location: 36.093128, -112.116486Fill up your water bottles here before the final push to Plateau Point.
GCP018
Location: 36.093269, -112.115997Plateau Point: From this vantage point deep inside the heart of the canyon, views extend across the Colorado River to distant mesas and plateaus. After basking in the view, turn around and retrace the trail 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.
Related Trips
Comments Post a comment
0 Trip Comments
National Parks Hall of Fame
The best videos, photos, and beta
from Denali to the Smokies.
GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need.
Photo & Video Center
Essential gear, instruction, and more.
GPS Trails App for iPhone & Android
Locate, research, plan, and save trips on your smartphone.
