The Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular trails to hike at the Grand Canyon. Reaching the bottom of the canyon, the Bright Angel Trail provides amazing views of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River (if you hike far enough). While most people do not hike all the way down, the Bright Angel Trail actually runs all the way to the North Rim with access to Plateau Point. It is one of the only hikes all the way to the bottom that has water and bathroom rest houses along the way. The 12 miles round trip to Plateau Point starts in the Grand Canyon Village and snakes its way to the bottom of the canyon.
The Hike:
View from the Bright Angel Trail -Click to Enlarge-
The first few miles of packed dirt trail hug the canyon wall and are very steep with lots of switchbacks. During the first few miles, the canyon wall provides shade during the morning but does not in the afternoon leaving the trail exposed. The first stop for water and rest is at the 1.5 mile mark.
There are rest houses every few miles as you hike toward the bottom of the canyon. Each rest house has running water and a shaded area out of the sun. Only rest houses 1 and 3 have outhouses with toilets. The last shelter before Plateau Point is Indian Garden. From Indian Garden there are two trails options. One leads to an overlook of the Colorado river (Plateau Point), the other leads down the the river itself (River Rest House).
There are rest houses every few miles as you hike toward the bottom of the canyon. Each rest house has running water and a shaded area out of the sun. Only rest houses 1 and 3 have outhouses with toilets. The last shelter before Plateau Point is Indian Garden. From Indian Garden there are two trails options. One leads to an overlook of the Colorado river (Plateau Point), the other leads down the the river itself (River Rest House).
View from Plateau Point -Click to Enlarge-
As the trail reaches the first canyon shelf, it levels out and becomes a much more manageable hike, but still is not easy. There is still quite a bit of descent over the last few miles. Leaving the canyon wall reduces the steepness of the trail, but also leaves the shade. Toward the bottom of the canyon there is no shade apart from the shelters and no breeze to move the hot air. There is relief from the sun at Indian Gardens as it has a few trees and covered picnic tables.
Indian Garden is 4.5 miles from the trailhead and the last stop before Plateau Point or the river. From Indian Garden it is an additional 1.5 miles to Plateau Point. Between Indian Gardena and Plateau Point the trail is very level, but there is absolutely no shade which means direct sun exposure for the 3 mile round trip to the point and back. The view from Plateau Point is incredible, but hiking there is definitely taxing. During the summer there is a water source at the point for a quick refill before heading back to Indian Garden.
Hiking to Plateau Point and back makes up a 12 miles round trip with around 6,000 feet of elevation change. It is a very difficult hike and the park rangers do not recommend hiking to Plateau Point and back during the summer because of the heat and sun exposure. We did it anyway. Due to the strenuous nature of the hike, coupled with the heat, it is obvious why it is not recommended to hike in a day. We left Grand Canyon Village around 7:30am and made it back around 4:30pm making for a very long, exhausting day.
Indian Garden is 4.5 miles from the trailhead and the last stop before Plateau Point or the river. From Indian Garden it is an additional 1.5 miles to Plateau Point. Between Indian Gardena and Plateau Point the trail is very level, but there is absolutely no shade which means direct sun exposure for the 3 mile round trip to the point and back. The view from Plateau Point is incredible, but hiking there is definitely taxing. During the summer there is a water source at the point for a quick refill before heading back to Indian Garden.
Hiking to Plateau Point and back makes up a 12 miles round trip with around 6,000 feet of elevation change. It is a very difficult hike and the park rangers do not recommend hiking to Plateau Point and back during the summer because of the heat and sun exposure. We did it anyway. Due to the strenuous nature of the hike, coupled with the heat, it is obvious why it is not recommended to hike in a day. We left Grand Canyon Village around 7:30am and made it back around 4:30pm making for a very long, exhausting day.
Trail Information:
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Trailhead:
Location: Grand Canyon Village Elevation: 6,708 feet Resthouse 2: Distance: 3 miles Elevation: 4,748 feet Plateau Point: Distance: 6 miles Elevation: 3,740 feet |
Resthouse 1:
Distance: 1.5 miles Elevation: 5,729 feet Indian Garden (Resthouse 3): Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation: 3,800 feet |
Bright Angel Trail
-Click to Enlarge- (https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/BrightAngelTrail.pdf) |
Tips:
- Do not hike to Plateau Point and back unless you are in good shape and an experienced hiker.
- Take lots of food. The hike is very strenuous and you will need to replenish your body.
- Bring several water bottles or a large camel back. Even though you can refill your water every few miles, you will need to drink a lot between refill points especially if hiking during the summer months.
- There is very little shade in the bottom of the canyon and during the hike back up. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, or whatever is your preferred method for avoiding sun exposure. Utilize shade whenever possible and take lots of breaks.
- Start hiking early in the day. An early start will help keep you in the shade during the first part of the hike. Also, the top of the trail will get crowded later in the day as many people hike down it just a little bit.
- The trail is also used by mules to reach some of the camps on the canyon floor. Be aware of the mule trains and give them plenty of room as they pass by.
Pictures:
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The Crew:
Nate and Mark
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