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AZT - Passage 38 - North Kaibab

Difficult Difficult
 4.7 (26)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. …Grand Canyon National Park
  5. North Rim
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“This trail is the least visited & most difficult of the three maintained trails at Grand Canyon NP. ”

Nicholas Shannon
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Map Key

14.7

Miles

23.6

KM

Point to Point

8,222' 2,506 m

High

2,454' 748 m

Low

616' 188 m

Up

6,384' 1,946 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

63%

Max Grade (32°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail is the second section of the AZT - Passage 38 - Grand Canyon - Inner Gorge, following the South Kaibab trail as the first section.

The North Kaibab initially descends steeply down the head of a valley via a series of numerous switchbacks. After the lush verdancy and impressive views below the trailhead, the trail reaches the distinctive Supai Tunnel, where hikers will find potable water (mid-May to mid-October) and pit toilets. Switchbacks continue to the massive cliffs of Redwall Limestone, where for long stretches the trail has been blasted out of the cliff in a half tunnel. The Redwall section is awe-inspiring with fantastic exposure and views.

Where the bulk of the trail's descent meets the flatter bottom of Bright Angel Canyon, Roaring Springs is a worthwhile side trip. Here, water gushes forth directly out of the cliffs, cascading over moss and fern to form Bright Angel Creek.

At mile 5.4 an unexpected house comes into view. The Pumphouse Residence, also known as the Aiken Residence, is where artist and park employee Bruce Aiken lived and painted for decades. In years past the lucky hiker could get a refreshing cup of lemonade from one of the Aiken kids who were raised at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Those fortunate to overnight at Cottonwood Campground will have the time to explore a beautiful oasis located 1.6 miles down-creek from the campground: Ribbon Falls is a true gem of the North Kaibab Trail. The waterfall is located in a grotto on the west side of Bright Angel Creek, so reaching it is a short but extremely rewarding side trip. Hikers caught in the heat of the day should consider taking a siesta here from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Between Cottonwood Campground and Bright Angel Campground the trail enters the Inner Gorge, a narrow canyon where the trail is boxed in on either side by 1.7 billion-year-old Vishnu Schist. Though the trail here is not challenging from the perspective of elevation profile, be aware that this is a particularly dangerous stretch of trail during summer months.

Because the entire 7.2 mile stretch is at low elevation, it becomes extremely hot from early morning to late afternoon. The gorge of black rock through which the trail passes becomes like an oven and can be compared to walking through a parking lot in Phoenix or Las Vegas in summertime. Always plan on reaching Bright Angel Campground before ten in the morning.

Flora & Fauna

At the rim, hikers will glimpse the vast maw of Bright Angel Canyon through fir trees and aspen, ferns and wildflowers. As you descend, the ecology progresses into a blend of riparian and desert vegetation.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Grand Canyon National Park

Shared By:

Nicholas Shannon
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 26 votes

#1

in North Rim

#137

Overall
  4.7 from 26 votes
5 Star
81%
4 Star
15%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in North Rim

#6

in Arizona

#137

Overall
22 Views Last Month
4,665 Since May 6, 2015
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
4%
19%
73%
4%
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Photos

This bridge provides quite the view.
Jul 1, 2017 near Grand C…, AZ
Grand Canyon Hike Rim 2Rim 2015
Jan 24, 2016 near Grand C…, AZ
This is the view the East wall just after passing the bifurcation with old bright angel. The contrast between green and red on the North rim is stunning.
Feb 1, 2021 near Grand C…, AZ
Cottonwood October 2015. 4AM
Jan 24, 2016 near Grand C…, AZ
Headed down North Kaibab
Aug 18, 2019 near Grand C…, AZ
A small waterfall in Bright Angel Creek along the North Kaibab Trail.
Jun 15, 2018 near Grand C…, AZ

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Weather

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Check-Ins

Sep 21, 2022
Tom Herr
Started at 0400 on the North Rim in a steady rain. Our rain ponchos increased our sweating which complicated our trip. Cool weather helped. 14.7mi
May 24, 2022
Edge
Left N Rim at 4am, arrived Bright Angel Campground at 8:30am. 14.5mi — 4h 30m
May 17, 2022
Meaghan O.
4mi
Oct 21, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Oct 13, 2021
B C
Finished around 8 pm
Aug 12, 2021
Rachel Ricks
Hiked down to the red wall bridge 5.5mi — 3h 30m
Jun 28, 2021
Hannah Wright
Went to the bridge & back
Jun 27, 2021
Hannah Wright
Went to the bridge & back 5.8mi — 3h 15m

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