The Grand Canyon is among the most-visited Nationwide Parks in america, however solely about 1% of tourists really go beneath the rim. If you wish to expertise the Grand Canyon from beneath, the Vibrant Angel Path is among the finest – and hottest – day hikes and entry level for first-time guests to this superb Nationwide Park.
On this publish, we share the whole lot it’s good to learn about doing a day hike on the Vibrant Angel Path so you understand how to arrange and what to anticipate.
Vibrant Angel Path Fundamentals
These stats are for the Vibrant Angel Path to Indian Backyard. The path does proceed on previous Indian Backyard all the best way right down to the Colorado River, however it’s good to be ready with plenty of water, solar safety, and meals. Don’t hike previous Indian Backyard in the summertime when temps are usually 100F+.
- Problem: Strenuous
- Path Sort: Out-and-back
- Size: 8.9 miles
- Beginning Elevation: 6,860 ft.
- Minimal Elevation: 3,800 ft
- Complete elevation achieve: 3,034 ft
- Canines allowed: No
- Time: 5-6 hours, when taking ample breaks
- Allow required: No
Finest Time of 12 months to Hike the Vibrant Angel Path
Fall and spring are the perfect occasions of yr to go to the Grand Canyon and hike the Vibrant Angel Path. Temperatures are cooler and crowds are typically smaller (though the Grand Canyon isn’t quiet).
I don’t advocate mountain climbing the Vibrant Angel Path in the summertime as temperatures can simply high 100 levels and mountain climbing in these circumstances will be harmful. The path has little or no shade and mountain climbing in the summertime can result in warmth exhaustion.
Winter can be time to go to in case you’re dressed for cold climate and verify the forecast for snow and rain.
Attending to the Trailhead
The Vibrant Angel Trailhead is positioned on the South Rim simply west of the Vibrant Angel Lodge within the Grand Canyon Village.
In the event you’re staying within the park, the free blue-line park shuttle stops instantly on the trailhead.
For these visiting for the day or preferring driving themselves, hikers can park on the Backcountry Data Middle (car parking zone D), a brief stroll from the Vibrant Angel Trailhead.
A Temporary Historical past
The Vibrant Angel Path has been used for lots of of years as a method to entry water at Indian Gardens. It’s named for the Vibrant Angel Fault, which gives a jagged break within the shear cliff partitions that in any other case stop entry right down to the canyon ground.
Within the 1800s, gold prospectors arrived within the space and located the native Havasupai already utilizing the route from the rim to the canyon ground the place they planted crops close to Indian Creek.
Within the Eighteen Nineties, miner and entrepreneur Ralph Cameron realized that with the arrival of the railroad to the Grand Canyon, tourism was going to be a much bigger enterprise than mining. He ‘registered’ the Vibrant Angel Path and made enhancements to the route. He additionally arrange a campground at Indian Backyard and charged guests $1 to make use of the path.
Cameron fought to maintain his declare on this space even after the Grand Canyon was designated a Nationwide Park in 1919. He misplaced the battle in 1928 and was pressured at hand over the path and campground to the Parks Service.
The native Havasupai have been those who misplaced essentially the most, although. They have been ordered to depart by Theodore Roosevelt in 1901. Those that stayed have been ultimately pushed out in 1928 and compelled onto a reservation in Havasu Canyon.
In 1975, after many negotiations, the federal government created the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which is taken into account essentially the most distant group within the decrease 48 States. It’s additionally the place guests can expertise the unbelievable Havasu Falls.
Path Milestones
The Vibrant Angel Path can simply be damaged down into smaller chunks or milestones. In the event you plan on mountain climbing all the best way to Indian Backyard, these milestones may also help you gauge distance in addition to show you how to preserve tabs on the way you’re doing with water.
1st Switchback – Mile 0.5
The primary switchback is the beginning of a collection of switchbacks that descend down the canyon partitions of Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. From right here, the path loses fairly a little bit of elevation in a short time. There are additionally steep drop-offs on the facet of the path, so individuals who don’t like publicity could need to cease right here.
1.5 Mile Resthouse – Mile 1.5
The 1.5 Mile Resthouse is a primary stone construction with no facilities (seasonal water could also be accessible). It affords nice views out over the Canyon and is a good turn-around spot if you’d like a shorter hike.
3 Mile Resthouse – Mile 3
A second resthouse is positioned at mile three. Once more, there aren’t any facilities apart from seasonal water on the three-mile resthouse. The path will get even steeper from right here, so this can be a good place to show round in case you’re fearful concerning the hike again up.
Indian Backyard
Indian Backyard is a bit of oasis within the Grand Canyon desert panorama. A perennial creek runs by this space, which offered water for Native People who lived within the canyon for hundreds of years. In the present day, Indian Gardens is house to a ranger station, a small guests heart, and the Indian Backyard Campground (often known as the Havasupai Backyard Campground).
If you wish to spend the night time, you’ll must safe a hard-to-get in a single day tenting allow earlier than your hike.
Plateau Level
A couple of mile and a half previous Indian Gardens by way of Plateau Level path is Plateau Level, a formidable overlook down onto the Colorado River. In the event you do that as a day hike, Plateau Level is 12 miles spherical journey with 3,740 ft of elevation achieve. It’s beneficial to solely do that hike through the cooler spring, fall, and winter months.
The Vibrant Angel Path continues on previous Indian Gardens right down to the Colorado River the place hikers can cross the river over the Vibrant Angel Suspension Bridge. Throughout the river, the path turns into the North Kaibob Path, which continues on to Vibrant Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch (a country lodge), and ultimately the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Suggestions For Mountaineering the Vibrant Angel Path
Be ready
For anybody contemplating mountain climbing the Vibrant Angel Path to Indian Backyard, you could, should, MUST deliver water and sufficient meals to produce you for the 9-mile round-trip hike. The path is uncovered so even be ready with ample solar safety.
The hazard of this path lies in its easygoing begin. In contrast to ascending a mountain the place the problem is instantly obvious, this hike descends down right into a canyon. Which means the straightforward half comes first, fooling hikers into believing they will go farther and longer than they will really handle in a day.
Arrive on the trailhead earlier than 8am with a hydration day pack filled with water and loads of salty snacks.
Know your water sources
There’s at all times water accessible on the Vibrant Angel trailhead. There could be alongside the path seasonally from Could-September, however water shouldn’t be at all times assured. It’s higher to return absolutely ready with at the very least 3 liters of water per individual. There’s a river that runs by Indian Gardens so we additionally advocate packing a light-weight water filter simply in case.
The chart beneath reveals the place water could also be accessible seasonally:
Observe good path etiquette
Please do not forget that uphill hikers have the suitable of approach.
You additionally might even see mule site visitors. If a bunch of mules is closing in on you, the park service advises you to step off the path on the uphill facet away from the sting, comply with the route of the wrangler, stay quiet and nonetheless, and don’t return to the path till the final mule is 50 ft (15 meters) previous your place. Basically, give the mules area, and everybody will probably be protected and joyful.
>> Learn subsequent: Path Etiquette 101
Vibrant Angel Path Packing Checklist
For a full record of what to pack, try our publish on Day Mountaineering Necessities.
The predominant items of drugs you’ll need for mountain climbing the Vibrant Angel Path embody:
- A daypack with a 3L hydration reservoir. In the event you come low season, you would possibly take into account bringing a water filter simply in case potable water isn’t accessible.
- A solar hat – I at all times put on the Wallaroo Sedona Hat (BFT readers get 20% off with the code “BEARFOOT20”)
- Loads of sunscreen
- A buff – soak it within the creek at Indian Backyard earlier than mountain climbing again up the path. It would preserve you cool and protect your neck from the solar.
- Numerous snacks – for concepts, try our publish on the perfect mountain climbing snacks.
- Collapsible trekking poles – these assist relieve pressure in your knees while you’re descending and assist distribute the work and your weight on the uphill.
- Stable mountain climbing sneakers – I like to recommend mountain climbing boots with ankle assist and a grippy sole to supply further stability on the steep sections.
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Have you ever hiked the Vibrant Angel Path within the Grand Canyon? What was your expertise like? What ideas would you add? Depart a remark beneath!
