Wednesday 21 May 2014

Hike Expeditions in Grand Canyon National Park

Hiking in Grand Canyon National Park can be a fun and rewarding experience as in other national parks. It is a great way to both see and experience the park.

Grand Canyon Field Institute is a program of the official nonprofit park partner, the Hike Grand Canyon Park Association, and serves thousands of Grand Canyon visitors each year. We offer fun and informative educational classes and guided hiking tours for everyone, from seasoned backpackers to families with children on their first visit to Grand Canyon.  
         
Grandview Trail. A 6.4-mile roundtrip with 2,500-foot return elevation gain on this unmaintained trail leads takes you to outstanding views from wooded Horseshoe Mesa. Very strenuous Trailhead at Grandview Point, 12 miles east of village on Desert View Drive.

Hermit Trail. This rocky unmaintained trail leads to views into Hermit Grand Canyon Park and a good day option is the hike to the shade and wild grapevines at Santa Maria Spring. It’s a 4.5-mile roundtrip with 1,760-foot return elevation gain. Strenuous Trailhead 500 feet west of Hermits Rest at the end of Hermit Road/West Rim Drive.

Rim Trail. The one truly level trail on the South Rim, it runs for 12 mostly paved miles with outstanding views along the way. Easy Trail access at viewpoints between Hermits Rest and Pipe Creek Vista off Desert View Drive.

South Kaibab Trail. A less crowded alternative to the Bright Angel Trail, its easiest day hike is the 1.8 –mile roundtrip to views at appropriately named Ooh-Aah Point 600 feet below the rim. It's one of two main routes to the canyon floor, and there is a very strenuous trailhead south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. Access by shuttle bus only

Bright Angel Trail. A good though long day option on this classic route into the canyon is the 9.2-mile roundtrip (with a 3,000-foot return climb) to the spring at Indian Garden. Very Strenuous Trailhead next to Kolb Studio in Grand Canyon Village.

Blending forest and canyon scenery, this trail starts at the Widforss Trail parking area, one mile on the dirt Point Sublime Road, one-quarter mile south of Cape Royal Road turnoff. (10 miles, six hours)

The only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim gives hikers an appreciation for the beauty and immense size of the canyon. A full day should be allowed for a trip to Roaring Springs and back. This hike is strenuous. (9.4 miles, six to eight hours).

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