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Lower Bright Angel Trail: Phantom Ranch to Havasupai Garden
(includes River Trail)
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park
Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on the Silver Bridge (view S)

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, with many grand views over the cliffs and out into the Grand Canyon.

From BA Campground at Phantom Ranch, the trail runs south, staying right to cross the Silver Bridge to the south side of the Colorado River, then follows the River Trail west to River Resthouse. The BA Trail technically begins at this point, and it is followed south along Pipe Creek until it climbs out Devil's Corkscrew and arrives at Havasupai Garden Campground. The BA Trail continues up to the South Rim.

Presented here are photos of the hike from BA Campground to Havasupai Garden Campground. For a full description of this hike, including GPS coordinates and other information, see Bright Angel Trail downhill. See also photos of the upper section heading uphill.

Link to map.

Bright Angel Trail
Hiker packing up in Bright Angel Campground (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Passing campground information sign at edge of camp (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Passing through the "no stopping" zone (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
North Kaibab -- South Kaibab -- Bright Angel trail junction (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker passing the mule corrals (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker and mule corrals (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker passing the Silver Bridge information sign (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Sign before Silver Bridge (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching the Silver Bridge (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Silver Bridge (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on middle of the Silver Bridge (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Colorado River downstream (view W from Silver Bridge)
Bright Angel Trail
Colorado River upstream (view E from Silver Bridge)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on south end of Silver Bridge (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker past the Silver Bridge (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker westbound on River Trail (view NW)
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker westbound on River Trail (view NW)
Bright Angel Trail
River Trail high above the Colorado River (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching River Resthouse (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker turning up Pipe Canyon (view S towards picnic shelter)
Bright Angel Trail
Crossing Pipe Creek (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Crossing Pipe Creek again (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail runs along edge of Pipe Creek (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail runs along edge of Pipe Creek (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Garden Creek comes down side canyon (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Garden Creek confluence with Pipe Creek (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker crossing Pipe Creek again (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Wild colors in the rocks
Bright Angel Trail
Ruby-crowned Kinglet finding breakfast in a catclaw acacia
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker crossing Pipe Creek again (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on trail above Pipe Creek again (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Mine opening across Pipe Creek (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Historic mine opening (mines are not safe to enter)
Bright Angel Trail
Was this the vein the miners were following?
Bright Angel Trail
End of the mine
Bright Angel Trail
Back of the mine; not very deep (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Inside mine entrance, looking out (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Final Pipe Creek crossing as trail climbs out of canyon (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on lower switchback (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on upper switchback (view SE)
Bright Angel Trail
Grand view down Pipe Canyon towards North Rim (view N)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker above the switchbacks (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Long sweeping trail contours up and out of Pipe Canyon (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Long sweeping trail contours up and out of Pipe Canyon (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Long sweeping trail contours up and out of Pipe Canyon (view NW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching the spring (view N)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker on final Devil's Corkscrew switchback (view NE)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker finishing Devil's Corkscrew (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Approaching rest area atop Devil's Corkscrew (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker atop Devil's Corkscrew (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Looking down Garden Canyon towards North Rim (view N)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker starting up Bright Angel Canyon (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker crossing Garden Creek (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker crossing Garden Creek again (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail runs on ledges above Garden Creek (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Trail runs on ledges above Garden Creek (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker approaching Bright Angel - Tonto East trail junction (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at Bright Angel - Tonto East trail junction (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
First Havasupai Garden area information sign (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker at pumphouse for Havasupai Garden Trans-Canyon Pipeline
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker entering Havasupai Garden Day-Use rest area (view SW)
Bright Angel Trail
Hikers resting at Havasupai Garden Day-Use rest area (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Plateau Point Trail (view W from Bright Angel Trail)
Bright Angel Trail
Plateau Point Trail sign (view W)
Bright Angel Trail
Direction signs, information, water, and benches (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Hiker continuing past Havasupai Garden Day-Use rest area (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel -- south Havasupai Garden Campground trail (view S)
Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail continues past Havasupai Garden Camp (view S)

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

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