NEWS

Grand Canyon Nat. Park: Bright Angel Trail: Coconino Sands…

By A Mystery Man Writer

Hikers at near the top of the Coconino sandstone cliffs on Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. This location is about 1 mile (1.6km) down the trail from the trailhead, just below the second tunnel. At this point on the trail, hikers are walking on the edge of the Bright Angel Fault. The trail was constructed down this natural break in the rock layers where the rocks on one side are uplifted 189 feet (58 m) higher than on the other. Today’s Bright Angel Trail approximates a route used for millennia by the many Native American groups that have called the Grand Canyon home. Since the Bright Angel Trail starts into the canyon from Grand Canyon Village, it is the park’s most popular hiking trail. Maintained, graded for stock, with regular drinking water and covered rest-houses, it is without question the safest trail in Grand Canyon National Park. There is a ranger station located at the trail’s halfway point (Indian Garden) and one at the bottom of the canyon (Bright Angel Campground). Visitors hiking for the first time at Grand Canyon often use this trail in conjunction with the South Kaibab Trail. Particularly during hot weather, it makes sense to ascend via the Bright Angel Trail because of potable water, regular shade, emergency phones, and the ranger presence. NPS photo by Michael Quinn Read the complete trail description here: www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/Bright_Angel_Trail.pdf