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Upper Bright Angel Trail -- Havasupai Garden to South Rim
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park
Bright Angel Trail

Overview

As described here, the Bright Angel (BA) Trail begins at Phantom Ranch and climbs some 4,400 feet over 9.5 miles to the South Rim near BA Lodge. The trail is open and airy, but not too steep, with many grand views out into the Grand Canyon.

From Havasupai Garden, the trail runs at gentle grades up the canyon to the base of the Redwall. Although imposing, the trail climbs through the Redwall to 3-Mile Resthouse and then 1.5-Mile Resthouse at fairly gentle grades. The remaining 1.5 miles include some long steep parts, but they are interspersed with more gentle sections.

Presented here are photos of the hike from Havasupai Garden Camp to the South Rim. For a full description of this hike, including GPS coordinates and other information, see Bright Angel Trail downhill. See also a full description or just photos of the lower section heading uphill.

Link to map.

Bright Angel Trail
Hiker starting up BA Trail from Havasupai Garden Camp (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker passing Havasupai Garden Ranger Station (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Sign: please stay on the trail (view SW) ...
Bright Angel Trail
... then an unsigned use-trail to the Ranger Station.
Bright Angel Trail
Crossing Garden Wash (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Garden Wash flash floods and leaves lots of rock (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Trail runs along Garden Wash (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
The Trans-Canyon pipeline takes a shortcut across a side wash
Bright Angel Trail
Trail contours around sidewash, then pipe rejoins the trail (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail contours into second, larger sidewash (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail climbs towards Redwall (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
The Redwall looks imposing from afar (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
The Redwall looks more imposing from up close (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
First Redwall switchback (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Waiting at first Redwall switchback for pack train (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Pack train approaching (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Lots of gentle switchbacks (view NW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker finally at base of Redwall, proper (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Trail through the Redwall is not steep, but ...
Bright Angel Trail
... the Redwall certainly is!
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers at next-to-last Redwall switchback (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers past last Redwall switchback; note resthouse above (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers atop last Redwall switchback; note resthouse above (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers at spur trail to 3-Mile Resthouse (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at 3-Mile Resthouse (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
3-Mile Resthouse (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
3-Mile Resthouse and trail to restrooms (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Trails to 3-Mile Overlook and 3-Mile Restrooms (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail to 3-Mile Restrooms (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Approaching 3-Mile Overlook (view NE from restrooms)
Bright Angel Trail
3-Mile Overlook (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
3-Mile Overlook (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
3-Mile Overlook (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Returning to 3-Mile Resthouse (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Returning to Bright Angel Trail (view SW from 3-Mile Resthouse)
Bright Angel Trail
Continuing on Bright Angel Trail (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Starting into next set of switchbacks (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Lots of gentle switchbacks (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Lots of moss growing on shady rock wall (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
More switchbacks (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
More gentle switchbacks (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Contouring up and across the hillside (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Contouring up and across the hillside (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Approaching the next set of switchbacks (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
In the switchbacks (great view NE to North Rim)
Bright Angel Trail
More gentle switchbacks (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
More gentle switchbacks (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
More gentle switchbacks (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Pools of mule urine - a most disgusting experience (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Contouring up and across the hillside (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
In the distance: 2-Mile Switchback (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker crossing Bright Angel Wash and fault (view W
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker above 2-Mile Switchback (view NW)
Bright Angel Trail
Big grin: happy hiker above 2-Mile Switchback (view S)
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Grand view down canyon and across to North Rim (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Contouring up and across the hillside (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Airy, but gentle, trail (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Woodrat who didn't make it; sad
Bright Angel Trail
Contouring across hillside; 1.5-Mile Resthouse in distance (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
Contouring up across hillside (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching spur trail to 1.5 Mile Restrooms (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at spur trail to 1.5 Mile Restrooms (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching 1.5 Mile Resthouse (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at 1.5 Mile Resthouse (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
1.5 Mile Water faucet; hiker at spur to Resthouse (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
1.5 Mile Emergency Phone and Resthouse (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Short spur to 1.5 Mile Resthouse (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Directional signs at 1.5 Mile Resthouse (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
1.5 Mile Resthouse (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
1.5 Mile Resthouse interior (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
1.5 Mile Resthouse interior (view NE to North Rim)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker departing 1.5 Mile Resthouse (view NW)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail contours more steeply up and across hillside (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail contours more steeply up and across hillside (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching switchbacks below Coconino Sandstone Wall
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker starting into switchbacks below Coconino Sandstone Wall
Bright Angel Trail
Switchbacks below Coconino Sandstone Wall (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching Coconino Sandstone Wall (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at Coconino Sandstone Wall (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Bobcat left a business card
Bright Angel Trail
Bobcat left a business card
Bright Angel Trail
Grand view along Coconino Sandstone Wall (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Gentle switchbacks (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker switching back (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Grand view to the North Rim (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker switching back (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at another steep spot (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker resting above the steep spot (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at built-up trail along Coconino Sandstone Wall (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Steep hillsides make grand views to the North Rim (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on built-up trail approaching second tunnel (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker entering second tunnel (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Second Tunnel (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Steep trail above the tunnel (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Steep trail with ice (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Steep trail (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Icicles at seep along the trail (don't expect potable water)
Bright Angel Trail
Longest steep section of trail (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Longest steep section of trail with ice (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Longest steep section of trail with ice (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Longest steep section of trail without ice (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Switchback above longest steep section of trail (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
More gentle trail contours up and across hillside (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
More gentle trail contours up and across hillside (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Steeper trail contours up and across hillside with ice (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Built-up trail contours gently across steep hillside (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail crosses a rocky point above grand scenery (view NE
Bright Angel Trail
Trail follows ledge through Kaibab Limestone (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
Fossils in the Kaibab Limestone (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Moderately steep trail through Kaibab Limestone (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
More fossils in the Kaibab Limestone (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers approaching First Tunnel (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
First Tunnel (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
More gentle trail through Kaibab Limestone (view E)
Bright Angel Trail
Another grand point (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Last rest before hitting civilization (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at last switchback (view E below Kolb Studio)
Bright Angel Trail
Heading for the South Rim (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers approaching Bright Angel Trailhead (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers at Bright Angel Trailhead (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Selfie Bright Angel Trailhead (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Obligate post-backpack ice cream cone at Bright Angel Lodge

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240326

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