In my last post, I discussed many of the pros and cons of hiking the Grand Canyon NOBO versus SOBO. This post is a continuation of that topic, but takes a more in depth look a the two different trails you can use at the South Rim and which might be better for your needs.

If you are planning a rim-to-rim hike, getting from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to the Colorado River Gorge can be done multiple ways. You can use either (a) the Bright Angel Trail or (b) the South Kaibab Trail.

Your overall direction on a rim-to-rim hike will likely play a significant role in deciding which trail is better for your journey. That’s why I saved this topic for now, rather than muddying the waters in my previous posts.

Some of the points I’ll be addressing here include:

• The pros and cons of each trail
• Why the South Kaibab route is preferred by NOBO hikers
• Why the Bright Angel route is preferred by SOBO hikers (even though it’s longer)
• Reasons R2R2R hikers should use the same South Rim trail up and down

So, let’s get started by examining the two South Rim trails.

Overview of the Bright Angel Trail

Most Grand Canyon tourists are familiar with the Bright Angel Trail. The trailhead is right on the edge of Grand Canyon Village. So anyone who wants to hike into the canyon, whether it’s for just a few feet or several miles, is likely going to default to this trail.

The Bright Angel Trail begins at the South Rim at 6,840 feet elevation and zig-zags its way to the river below using dozens of switchbacks. There are multiple places to stop along this route, including the 1 ½-mile Resthouse, 3-mile Resthouse, Havasupai Gardens Campground (which may still be called “Indian Gardens” on older maps), and River Resthouse.

Each of these waypoints, except the River Resthouse, is a potential water resupply spot for rim-to-rim hikers depending on the time of year.

Once make your way down to the Colorado River, the Bright Angel Trail merges with the River Trail. As the name implies, this east-west running River Trail parallels the Colorado River, connecting the two bridges that cross it.

Soon after you head east on the River Trail, you see the Silver Bridge shining off in the distance. However, it may take longer than expected to get there. The trail quickly transitions from an ordinary dirt path to loose sand. This terrain makes for slow hiking and extra time emptying your shoes of debris if you’re not wearing gaiters.

Crossing the Colorado River via the Silver Bridge quickly leads you to Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch on the opposite side of the river, where hikers reach their final water source. All told, it’s a 9-mile trek from the South Rim to the Bright Angel Campground using the Bright Angel Trail.

Overview of the South Kaibab Trail

The other major corridor trail to the Colorado River is the South Kaibab Trail. It begins nearly five miles east of the bustling Grand Canyon Village. There’s no overnight parking at the South Kaibab trailhead, and the easiest way to get there is to take the park’s free shuttle bus from Grand Canyon Village.

At 7,200 feet elevation, the South Kaibab Trail begins several hundred feet higher up than the Bright Angel Trail. It also takes a more direct route to the Colorado River and drops more rapidly during its descent. Thus, hikers will encounter a significantly shorter trail with fewer switchbacks.

While on the South Kaibab Trail, you pass several noticeable waypoints at Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, and Skeleton Point. None of these scenic spots has spigots to refill your water on the route down or up. There is a solitary comfort stop at Cedar Rest, with bathrooms and a place to rest (but no water), located approximately 1½ miles below the South Rim.

And while the nearby Bright Angel Trail tends to be more crowded with day hikers and tourists, the South Kaibab Trail has its own form of congestion. Pack mules move supplies down to Phantom Ranch predominantly using this trail. The additional traffic won’t slow you down much, but you will need to remember the rules of the road: trail runners and hikers must yield to stock using the trail. Just step to the side and wait for them to pass.

The South Kaibab Trail reaches the Colorado River right at the entrance of the Black Bridge (aka Kaibab Bridge). So, there’s no need to march along the sandy River Trail that hikers on the Bright Angel Trail endure.

Once you finally reach the north shore of the river, there is a short, sandy path that leads west toward Bright Angel Campground. All told, it’s a 7-mile trek from the South Rim to the Bright Angel Campground using the South Kaibab Trail. Choosing this route will ultimately save you 2 miles over the hikers opting for the more conservatively-graded Bright Angel Trail.

Pros and Cons of Each Route

Creating any list or pros and cons can be a real challenge. Mostly because hikers tend to come to the Grand Canyon with their own personal objectives and goals in mind.

Nonetheless, I tried to approach this topic assuming readers are attempting a quick rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon, rather than an extended backcountry camping trip.

Pros of the Bright Angel Trail:

• The trail grade is milder, which can make ascending and descending easier on your joints
• There are multiple water sources along the route so you can carry less weight
• You can easily walk from the Backcountry Information Center to the trailhead. (Note: The BIC is where you’ll get final details about the trail conditions/water sources. You can also pick up a background permit, if needed, and leave your car there overnight)
• There are several overnight lodging accommodations on the South Rim within walking distance of the trailhead.

Cons of the Bright Angel Trail:

• It will likely be more crowded with day hikers, especially in the 2-3 miles below the rim
• The distance to the Colorado River is several miles longer than hiking via the South Kaibab Trail

Pros of the South Kaibab Trail:

• You can complete a rim-to-rim hike in less than 22 miles using this route
• The trail is less crowded due to fewer hikers or tourists visiting it
• Fewer switchbacks means more panoramic views of the Grand Canyon during the descent

Cons of the South Kaibab Trail:

• The steeper slope of trail could make it more painful for your joints and muscles
• It’s logistically more difficult to get to because there is no parking close to the trailhead
• There aren’t any water resupply options, making it a more difficult challenge to ascend

Why NOBO hikers prefer the South Kaibab Route

Based on these pros and cons, it’s no surprise that hikers starting at the South Rim and hiking north often prefer the South Kaibab Trail for their descent.

One of the biggest reasons is that it allows for a shorter rim-to-rim route. Descending on the shorter/steeper South Kaibab Trail means you can usually get an earlier start tackling the hottest part of the canyon below. Getting through “the box” (between Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood Campground) often weighs heavily on many hikers’ minds. So getting down to that obstacle quickly can be a major benefit.

Saving a few miles on the descent also helps hikers conserve more energy in their legs. This can allow an stronger ascent up the longer, harder climb to the North Rim.

Using the South Kaibab Trail also mentally breaks the route into three roughly equal sections. Hikers can mentally break the journey into a 7-mile descent, a 7-mile flat stretch along the canyon floor, and a 7-mile ascent to the North Rim.

Finally, the South Kaibab Trail offers spectacular canyon views on its descent. The views from Ooh Ahh Point provide picturesque panoramas worthy of a National Geographic photo spread. And there are fewer tourists around to share it with, allowing you to revel in the Grand Canyon’s majestic beauty.

Why SOBO hikers like the Bright Angel route

The South Kaibab Trail may allow for a shorter rim-to-rim hike, but it’s rarely the preferred trail for hikers starting at the North Rim and hiking southbound toward Grand Canyon Village.

The primary reason SOBO hikers choose the Bright Angel Trail is that they already have 14 miles under their belts by the time they reach the Colorado River. Their leg muscles are already fatigued from the descent and journey through the bottom of the canyon. It’s only a matter of time before the higher temperature inside the canyon depletes any remaining energy reserves.

Taking the Bright Angel route allows hikers to ascend at a gentler grade than the South Kaibab option. Plus, there are multiple water sources along this trail to keep you hydrated during this physically demanding challenge up to the South Rim.

The National Park Service warns that hikers’ water and electrolyte needs may exceed two liters per hour when they are hiking uphill and in direct sunlight. Thus, having access to seasonal and year-round water sources during the ascent to the South Rim makes the Bright Angel route a much safer choice.

The Bright Angel Route also has multiple places to rest in the shade. This is important for hikers ascending during the mid-afternoon heat. Pacing your ascent is important because the last few miles below the rim are the hardest parts of this journey.

Hikers completing their hike at the South Rim also have more resources for their fatigued bodies. There are multiple food and lodging options within Grand Canyon Village. The call of a refreshing ice cream cone or a relaxing bath at the finish line can be a major motivator during that last mile or two.

Tips for R2R2R hikers

NOBO hikers may prefer the North Kaibab route, while SOBO hikers prefer Bright Angel. But, should R2R2R hikers lean toward these same preferences?

In my opinion, the answer to this question is a resounding “no.” There are approximately 4.7 miles between the two trailheads on the South Rim. So R2R2R hikers should pick the same South Rim route for their ascent and descent.

For example, most R2R2R hikers beginning on the North Rim will most likely using the Bright Angel Trail to take advantage of its water sources during their ascent. Once at the South Rim, it would be a bit foolhardy stand around waiting for a shuttle to transfer you to the the other trailhead nearly 5 miles away. The simpler option is to turn around, and immediately begin the return trip to the North Rim.

Interested in learning more about hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim? 

Check out my upcoming posts on:

• Gear Every Rim-to-Rim Hiker Should Take
• Gear Every Rim-to-Rim Hiker Should Carry
• Timing Your R2R Hike…1 day, 2 days, or More?

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The material provided in this blog is informational only. Hiking in the Grand Canyon is an inherently risky activity. Every hiker is responsible for their own health and safety, and should plan for their rim-to-rim hike with those risks in mind. Outdoor Pilgrim is in no way responsible for the use or misuse of this information. Please hike responsibly!