Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking

NORTH KAIBAB TRAIL (GRAND CANYON)

If you have hiked the Bright Angel trailhead and are looking for something a little more picturesque and secluded on the Northern Rim, than the North Kaibab trail may be for you.

HOW TO GET THERE

This hike is located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

From Flagstaff, take HWY 67 south towards the Grand Canyon. Once you enter the park, you'll head 11 miles south of the park entrance (about 2 miles north of the lodge) to the parking area.

RATING

Be Aware of: Outrageous elevation changes, extreme temperature changes. Lack of H2O.  Mules.

30 yr old Recommendation: If you are hiking downhill with a full pack, this hike is Strenuous. If you are hiking uphill, this is a Death March. A 4200 ft elevation gain will get your attention... trust me! The views from this hike are very impressive and quite different than the ones you will find hiking on the South Rim.

 Don't even mention this hike to Grandma... it would probably give her a heart attack just listening to the description. She can listen to the nice Ranger at the rim talk about geology.

DETAILS

Elevation change: A monster 4200 ft !

Distance: 6.8 miles one way to the Cottonwood Campground.

Time: This is a full day hike one way. 

Time of year: All year (SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR WINTER AND SUMMER TIMES!)

Solitude: This trail is in the Corridor area of the grand canyon. Translation: lots of people use this trail (though not as many as on the Bright Angel trail).  Expect to meet 30-50 people this day.   

Backcountry permits from the National Park Service must be acquired prior to this hike. See www.nps.gov for details. You can reserve up to three months in advance.

This is a well hiked and well maintained trail in the Grand Canyon. If you're on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and you want to hike into the canyon, this is the only route to the Colorado River. The views are amazing. Chances are you'll be hiking from one photo opportunity to another.

This hike is described only to the Cottonwood Campground. The hike follows Roaring Springs Canyon down to the Bright Angel Canyon. Roaring Springs appears a few miles into the hike and you can hear it's falling water get progressively louder as you get closer. After hiking 4.7 miles from the top, there's a short trail to the base of the Roaring Springs. You can fill your water here. After walking 6.8 miles, you arrive at the Cottonwood Campground along side the Bright Angel Creek.

Simply put, this trail is steep. Flat doesn't exist on this trail.

We have to share this hike with mules. When a mule train approaches, move to the side and wait for them to pass. Wave to the nice guides and sore bottomed people as they admire your amazing stamina in hiking the Grand Canyon.

The trail continues from the Cottonwood campground all the way to Bright Angel Campground, 7 miles further.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR WINTER AND SUMMER TIMES:

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