Hike Rim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Add to My List Check Off

The Rim Trail is a hiking trail located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is a 0,.9 trail between the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermit's Rest. Any section of the Rim Trail you will find jaw-dropping looks into the Grand Canyon, but the unpaved section between Maricopa Point and Hermits Rest is a dirt path and feels more like a hike than its paved sections. Try the hike later in the day and watch for spectaclar sunset views. There are several shuttle stops along the way, allowing you to pick and chose the areas you want to explore. From many of the overlooks, you will have unrestricted views to the other side of the canyon, and sometimes as far as 40 miles along the canyon. If you are looking for a place to stop to watch the sunset, try Hopi point (although if it is too crowded, try nearby Mohave Point). The Canyon is best seen during the golden hours (the hour after sunrise and before sunset), when the light is low and the canyon walls turn into amazing shades of red and orange. Leashed pets are allowed on the trail, but not on the shuttle busses so plan accordingly. There are some paved areas of the trail, which are accessible. Between Pipe Creek Vista and Bright Angel Lodge only a few short sections of the trail have grades that exceed accessibility standards. West of Bright Angel Lodge, the Rim Trail narrows and climbs the Bright Angel Fault to viewpoints along Hermit Road. Between Powell Point and Monument Creek Vista the trail is a three foot wide dirt trail. The section of the Rim Trail between Monument Creek Vista and Hermits Rest is also known as the Hermit Road Greenway Trail. Everyone needs to carry water! Even though you will be hiking on the rim, you still need to carry water. Always remember to eat as well as drink while hiking. Distances between sites along the trail: Hermits Rest to Pima Point: 1.0 miles (1.6 km) Pima Point to Monument Creek: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) Vista Monument Creek Vista to The Abyss: 1.0 miles (1.6 km) The Abyss to Mojave Point: 1.1 miles (1.8 km) Mojave Point to Hopi Point: 1.0 miles (1.6 km) Hopi Point to Powell Point: 0.3 miles (0.5 km) Powell Point to Maricopa Point: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) Maricopa Point to Trailview Overlook: 0.7 miles (1.1 km) Trailview Overlook to Bright Angel Trailhead: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) Bright Angel Trailhead to Verkamp’s: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) Verkamp’s to Yavapai Point (Trail of Time): 1.4 miles (2.3 km) Yavapai Point to Mather Point: 0.7 miles (1.1 km) Mather Point to Pipe Creek Vista: 1.4 miles (2.3 km) Pipe Creek Vista to South Kaibab Trailhead: 0.9 miles (1.4 km) Total distance:12.8 miles (20.6 km)

5.0 out of 5 Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›