Backpacker Magazine’s October 2008 (The Survival Issue) has this pullout poster of “America’s 10 Most Dangerous Hikes” and to my surprise the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon was ranked #2 on the list. I think the ranking is a little over the top since the magazine is basing the ranking on hiking the trail from the South Rim to the river and back in a day so allow me to take a minute to compare that hike to the average day on the Bright Angel Trail.
Hiking the Bright Angel Trail
The Bright Angel Trail is actually the easiest trail to hike for visitors that want to descend below the rim as part of their visit. There are rest stops at regular intervals that provide shade, bathrooms and even water during peak seasons. The average hiker will venture to one of 3 turn around points along the trail, The Mile-and-a-half Resthouse, The Three Mile Resthouse, andIndian Gardens (listed in order from closest to the rim to furthest). Most folks I see on the trail turn around somewhere before the first resthouse just due to the steepness of the trail which drops over 1,000 vertical feet in the first mile and a half. If a day hiker were to go to Indian Gardens, it would be a strenuous hike of 9.2 miles with a 3,000 foot change in elevation on the hike out of the canyon. Even this is mild compared to the hike that Backpacker listed as the 2nd Most Dangerous on it’s list.
The Rim to River to Rim hike is essentially hiking from the Bright Angel Trailhead to the Colorado River and back to the trail head in a single day. The total distance hiked is 16.2 miles with an almost 4,400 ft change in elevation. When you add to this the 100 F plus temperatures near the river from May to September, then you are asking for trouble. I agree with Backpacker that this is a dangerous hike and one that can kill even experienced hikers. Even during months with cooler temperatures, the Rim to River to Rim hike will test experienced hikers. Remember that getting to the river is optional but getting out is mandatory and the Park Service won’t send a helicopter to fly you out either.
The bottom line, hiking the Bright Angel Rim to River to Rim in a day may be the 2nd Most Dangerous Hike in America but the Bright Angel Trail itself is not one of the most dangerous trails. Just remember to hike within your limits and do your research before taking off down the trail.
