The Grand Canyon is likely one of the most-visited Nationwide Parks in america, however solely about 1% of holiday makers really go beneath the rim. If you wish to expertise the Grand Canyon from beneath, the Vibrant Angel Path is likely one of the greatest – and hottest – day hikes and a great entry level for first-time guests to this superb Nationwide Park.
On this publish, we share the whole lot you could find out about doing a day hike on the Vibrant Angel Path so you know the way to organize 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 way in which all the way down to the Colorado River, however you could be ready with a lot 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
- Whole elevation achieve: 3,034 ft
- Canine allowed: No
- Time: 5-6 hours, when taking ample breaks
- Allow required: No
Greatest Time of Yr to Hike the Vibrant Angel Path
Fall and spring are the very best occasions of 12 months to go to the Grand Canyon and hike the Vibrant Angel Path. Temperatures are cooler and crowds are usually smaller (though the Grand Canyon is rarely quiet).
I don’t advocate climbing the Vibrant Angel Path in the summertime as temperatures can simply prime 100 levels and climbing in these circumstances might be harmful. The path has little or no shade and climbing in the summertime can result in warmth exhaustion.
Winter may also be a great time to go to when you’re dressed for cold climate and examine 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.
If you happen to’re staying within the park, the free blue-line park shuttle stops immediately on the trailhead.
For these visiting for the day or preferring driving themselves, hikers can park on the Backcountry Info Middle (car parking zone D), a brief stroll from the Vibrant Angel Trailhead.
A Transient Historical past
The Vibrant Angel Path has been used for a whole bunch of years as a technique 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 forestall entry all the way down to the canyon flooring.
Within the 1800s, gold prospectors arrived within the space and located the native Havasupai already utilizing the route from the rim to the canyon flooring 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 an even 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 probably the most, although. They have been ordered to go away 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 probably the most distant group within the decrease 48 States. It’s additionally the place guests can expertise the unimaginable Havasu Falls.
Path Milestones
The Vibrant Angel Path can simply be damaged down into smaller chunks or milestones. If you happen to plan on climbing all the way in which to Indian Backyard, these milestones may help you gauge distance in addition to show you how to maintain tabs on the way you’re doing with water.
1st Switchback – Mile 0.5
The primary switchback is the beginning of a sequence 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 wish to cease right here.
1.5 Mile Resthouse – Mile 1.5
The 1.5 Mile Resthouse is a fundamental stone construction with no facilities (seasonal water could also be obtainable). It presents nice views out over the Canyon and is a superb turn-around spot in order for you a shorter hike.
3 Mile Resthouse – Mile 3
A second resthouse is positioned at mile three. Once more, there are not any facilities apart from seasonal water on the three-mile resthouse. The path will get even steeper from right here, so it is a good place to show round when you’re anxious concerning the hike again up.
Indian Backyard
Indian Backyard is slightly oasis within the Grand Canyon desert panorama. A perennial creek runs via this space, which offered water for Native People who lived within the canyon for hundreds of years. At present, Indian Gardens is dwelling to a ranger station, a small guests middle, and the Indian Backyard Campground (often known as the Havasupai Backyard Campground).
If you wish to spend the evening, you’ll have to 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 powerful overlook down onto the Colorado River. If you happen to 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 in the course of the cooler spring, fall, and winter months.
The Vibrant Angel Path continues on previous Indian Gardens all the way 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.
Ideas For Mountain climbing the Vibrant Angel Path
Be ready
For anybody contemplating 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 sufficient 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. Meaning 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 obtainable on the Vibrant Angel trailhead. There could be alongside the path seasonally from Might-September, however water is just not at all times assured. It’s higher to come back absolutely ready with not less than 3 liters of water per particular person. There’s a river that runs via Indian Gardens so we additionally advocate packing a light-weight water filter simply in case.
The chart beneath exhibits the place water could also be obtainable seasonally:
Follow good path etiquette
Please keep in mind that uphill hikers have the fitting of manner.
You additionally might even see mule visitors. If a gaggle 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. Primarily, give the mules area, and everybody will probably be secure and blissful.
>> Learn subsequent: Path Etiquette 101
Vibrant Angel Path Packing Record
For a full record of what to pack, take a look at our publish on Day Mountain climbing Necessities.
The essential items of drugs you’ll need for climbing the Vibrant Angel Path embrace:
- A daypack with a 3L hydration reservoir. If you happen to come low season, you may take into account bringing a water filter simply in case potable water isn’t obtainable.
- 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 climbing again up the path. It can maintain you cool and protect your neck from the solar.
- Numerous snacks – for concepts, take a look at our publish on the very best climbing snacks.
- Collapsible trekking poles – these assist relieve pressure in your knees if you are descending and assist distribute the work and your weight on the uphill.
- Stable climbing footwear – I like to recommend 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 suggestions would you add? Depart a remark beneath!
