The Bright Angel Trail is the busiest trail in the Grand Canyon. It is a National Park service 'corridor trail', which means it is supposed to be well-maintained and serviced.
Many people hike down this trail -- the trailhead happens to be in the busiest area of the entire Grand Canyon Park -- many realize all too late the exertion ahead of them on their way back up. Going down is easy, up is too strenuous for many. Be advised. However, I have met 80+ years on this trail, but they typically have done the trail many times, and they just refuse to admit their age.
Many people hike down this trail -- the trailhead happens to be in the busiest area of the entire Grand Canyon Park -- many realize all too late the exertion ahead of them on their way back up. Going down is easy, up is too strenuous for many. Be advised. However, I have met 80+ years on this trail, but they typically have done the trail many times, and they just refuse to admit their age.
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Day Hike from Phantom Ranch
Trail: Clear Creek Trail
I would highly recommend this hike, which starts 1/2 mile north of Phantom Ranch off the north rim trail. There is a Phantom Ranch overlook, and the entire plateau has fantastic views, as shown below. These photos are from a hike in February.
Hike from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim
We hiked up the Bright Angel Trail from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim Visitor Center in October. We departed the Ranch at 8am, after having a great breakfast at the Phantom Ranch canteen -- eggs, bacon, orange juice, coffee, pancakes . Meals are served family style, and it is fun to talk to the other guests, many of whom have been there multiple times.
We arrived approx 4 hours later at the South Rim Visitor Center. It is always interesting to come back to the throngs of tourists in the National Parks after a hike - back to civilization so to speak - knowing that you have been able to experience the park in ways they have not. And you look hot and weary after the strenuous hike, so when you arrive at the south rim typically there will be throngs of people and they will often look at you and wonder 'where have you been'?
Start of the hike.
The walking bridge over the Colorado River is shown below. Phantom Ranch is located in a canyon that is to the left (north) of that bridge. This photo was taken half a mile into the hike. After the bridge the trail follows the river for a short while, and then you head into the canyons for the first series of strenuous climbs.
The walking bridge over the Colorado River is shown below. Phantom Ranch is located in a canyon that is to the left (north) of that bridge. This photo was taken half a mile into the hike. After the bridge the trail follows the river for a short while, and then you head into the canyons for the first series of strenuous climbs.
Hiking up from Phantom Ranch to Indian Wells is not as difficult as the last 3 miles to the rim, which will likely make you stop to catch your breath several times. This trail has caused many people to reconsider what kind of shape they think they are in.
The condition of the Bright Angel Trail was rather poor, especially compared to the South Kaibab Trail, which was in top shape. A Park service ranger at Phantom Ranch said they were just finishing a major maintenance project on the Kaibab Trail. Hopefully they will do the same for portions of the Bright Angel trail, it was in relatively rough shape.
