 |
| Bright Angel Trail |
4.6 miles (7.4 km): Bright Angel trailhead to Indian Garden
6.1 miles (9.8 km): Bright Angel trailhead to Plateau Point
7.8 miles (12.6 km): Bright Angel trailhead to the Colorado River
9.3 miles (15 km): Bright Angel trailhead to Bright Angel Campground
Elevations
6,860 feet (2,091 m): Bright Angel trailhead
3,800 feet (1,158 m): Indian Garden
3,740 feet (1,140 m): Plateau Point
2,480 feet (756 m): Colorado River
Trail Conditions
Corridor Trail. Well maintained and well marked.
Trail Information
Since prehistoric times, American Indians used the natural route along the fault line to enter the inner canyon and reach the springs at American Indian Garden. Indian pictographs may be seen above past the first tunnel and above the trail between Mile-and-a- Half Resthouse and Two-Mile Corner. Miners improved the trail in 1891 and began charging a toll for others to use it. Private citizens, the Santa Fe Railway, and government officials contested ownership of the Bright Angel Trail from 1901 to 1928, when control finally passed to the National Park Service. Havasupai families still farmed at Indian Garden around the turn of the century.
NOTE: Mule riders take day trips down the trail to Plateau Point and overnight trips to Phantom Ranch. When a mule party approaches, stand quietly to the inside of the trail until it has passed. Mules have the right-of-way.
Information Source - Official Guide to Hiking Grand Canyon by Scott Thybony Buy the Book
