Grand Canyon Rim Trail and Trail of Time
The Grand Canyon is a must-see American attraction. If you are driving on interstate 40 through northern Arizona you should set aside at least 4 hours to visit the Grand Canyon. This 3-mile hike along the Grand Canyon Rim Trail and Trail of Time is our favorite short visit itinerary.
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Overview
Our most recent trip to Grand Canyon National Park was during our April 2019 cross country trip. You can see a complete guide to that visit here. This post is a pictorial guide to the walk.
The main Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center opened in 2000 near Mather Point and the Yavapai Museum of Geology. If you came into the park through the South Entrance, Mather Point will likely be your first view of the Grand Canyon.
The Rim Trail is a mostly flat trail that runs about 13-miles along the edge of the Grand Canyon. If you head east from Mather Point the trail goes about 2-miles to the South Kabib Trailhead. The South Kabib Trail will take you down into the canyon.
The walk described here goes west along the Rim Trail a little over 3 miles to the start of the Bright Angel Trail. The Bright Angel Trail is the most famous route down the canyon to the Colorado River.
Past Bright Angel and the Grand Canyon Village the Rim Trail goes another 7 miles or so to Hermit’s Rest. At Hermit’s Rest there is another trail heading into the canyon.
There is a shuttle system that goes from the Visitor’s Center out to Hermit’s Rest. If you get tired at any point in the hike you can take the shuttle back.
Yavapai Point and Geological Museum
From Mather Point it is a short walk to the Yavapai Museum of Geology. This is a great place to get both wonderful views and a detailed history of the geology of the canyon. Right outside the museum is an exciting new attraction, the Trail of Time.
Trail of Time
In 2010, the Trail of Time was opened. This Trail runs about 2 miles from the and provides an interpretive guide to 2 billion years of geological history. Go here for a detailed guide to the building of this trail.
For the first 100 meters of the trail there are markets every meter that represent one year. From there each meter represents 100 years until you get to 1,000. FRom 1,000 to 10,000 each meter represents 1,000 years. From 10,000 to 100,000 each meter is 10,000 years. Finally each meter is 100,000 years until you get to a million years. After that point, each meter is 1 million years. In other words, from this point each step you take will be equal to the entire distant you just walked from the start to the one million year sign.
After 2,000 meters (2 billion years) you reach Grand Canyon Village.
Along the Trail of Time there are rocks that date back to that period of time. There are also viewing tubes that focus on key parts of the Grand Canyon. This includes looking far below to the Colorado River Bridge.
Grand Canyon Village Historic District
The Trail of Time ends at the original heart of Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon Village. This is home to many of the early buildings of the park from the start of the 20th century. It also home to lodging that overlooks the canyon. There are also many dining options.
From Grand Canyon Village you can take a shuttle back to the Visitor’s Center. If you have more time you can continue along the Rim Trail or take a shuttle out to Hermit’s Rest.
The Rim Trail is mostly flat and paved. The trails down into the canyon are a different story. These trails are steep and rocky. If you are feeling up to it you can walk from Grand Canyon Village a short distance into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail.
Bright Angel Trail
The Bright Angel Trailhead is located in front of Bright Angel Lodge next to Kolb Brothers Studio. The trail descends 8-miles and 4,000 feet to the Colorado River.
We have never done the full Bright Angel Trail. However, every time we visit the Grand Canyon, we walk a little ways down Bright Angel. At the least, it is a good way to judge whether a full hike is in your future.
Many people will hike 1,000 feet down to 1.5 Mile Rest House. At 2,000 feet down there is a 3-Mile Rest House. We have never made it to either point but plan to now that our kids are teenagers.
At the top of the trail you are likely to see the mules that take visitors down Bright Angel Trail. This is an iconic way to see the canyon. However, it is very popular and you need to reserve a space months in advance.
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