America's Best Trails (eBook)

South and North Kaibab Trail

Grand Canyon, AZ

Location Info

Closest City: Flagstaff, AZ

Closest Airport: Flagstaff/Pulliam (FLG)

Closest Interstate: 40

Coordinates: South Rim Trailhead 36.03.26.10N 112.08.36.94W, North Rim Trailhead 36.13.01.79N 112.03.22.73W

Best Time: April-May, October-November

High Altitude: South Rim 7000 ft, North Rim 8000 ft

Low Altitude: 2400 ft

Attractions:

Parking & Access: South Kaibab Trail: parking at Grand Canyon National Park, shuttlebus available. North Kaibab Trail: seasonal access for cars (mid-May to mid-October).

Websites:

www.backpacker.com/trips/arizona/grand-canyon-national-park/grandcanyon-national-park-south-kaibab-trail-to-bright-angel-trail/#bp=0/img1

www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/grand_canyon/south_kaibab.html

The Terrain

South: This 6.5- to 7.1-mile (one way) trail follows the top of a ridge to Skeleton Point with a 360-degree view of the canyon. Altitude drop is almost a mile: 4,820 feet. There is drinking water at the start and at the river bottom but not in between. Because of steep terrain, exposure to the sun, and lack of water, the South Kaibab is a tougher route than Bright Angel trail—but it is a more scenic route.

The run-ability of this trail is based on ability and foot traffic. In many places it is dangerous to run. Be safe and hike if you sense any risk—even walking gently will give you a strenuous workout. It usually takes twice as long to hike up as it took to walk down.

There are a number of out-and-back hikes you can take during a two- to five-hour period. Be sure to bring water! There’s no water on the South Kaibab Trail until you reach either Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch. Water from pools, streams, or rivers must be treated and filtered or boiled before drinking.

Caution: If you want to go to the Colorado River you should spend the night at the Bright Angel campground or the Phantom Ranch. Reservations are required.

The trailhead of South Kaibab Trail is located off of the Yaki Point Road, which is closed to private vehicles. While you can come in from the Rim Trail, it is suggested that you park at the Grand Canyon National Park and take the shuttle bus to the trailhead.

At 4.4 miles there’s a junction with the Tonto Trail which heads west to Indian Garden and has toilet access. About 500 steps past this trail junction, there’s an emergency phone (the tipoff). Then the trail drops significantly. At six miles, the River Trail intersects. One half mile and you’re at the Colorado River!

Once at the Colorado River, go over Black Bridge and head southwest for 0.3 mile before turning left and crossing back over on Silver Bridge.

Returning to the South Rim

Take the Bright Angel Trail along Garden Creek to the little oasis of Indian Gardens. The final 2.5 miles follow zig-zagging switchbacks up the canyon wall to the South Rim and the Bright Angel Trailhead.

North Rim is similar terrain but less crowded. There are more logistics involved, so read the USPS website and follow appropriate permitting.

Caution: Summer temperatures can soar into the 100s, so always carry water (rangers recommend 2 gallons per day) and start early to beat the midday heat. Also, don’t forget it is much easier to descend into the canyon than to climb back up. Expect to spend at least double the time climbing than descending.

To Trailhead

Start: From S. Lake Powell Blvd. and US 89 in Page, AZ, head southwest on US 89. In 81.5 miles, turn right onto AZ 64. In 53 miles, turn right onto S. Entrance Rd. In 2.7 miles, turn left onto Village Loop Dr. In 0.2 mile, bear left at Village Loop Dr. In 0.2 mile, turn right to stay on Village Loop Dr. In 100 feet, turn left to stay on Village Loop Dr. Go 500 feet and park in Lot E at the South Rim Backcountry Information Center. Take a free shuttle bus to the trailhead (check times at Ranger Station).

End: Follow 0.3 mile to parking on right.

Tahoe Flume Trail

Incline Village/Lake Tahoe, NV

Location Info

Closest City: Carson City, NV

Closest Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

Closest Interstate: 580

Coordinates: Spooner Lake Trailhead 39.06.21.37N 119.54.57.21W, Bonanza Ranch Trailhead 39.14.02.01N 119.55.48.31W

Best Time: mid-June-mid-October

High Altitude: 8828 ft

Low Altitude: 6320 ft

Attractions:

Parking & Access: Parking available along Highway 28 at Tunnel Creek Café.

Websites:

www.inclinetrails.org/incline-flume-trail-project

parks.nv.gov/parks/sand-harbor/

The Terrain

This might be the most spectacularly scenic trail that we have run. It is one of the hike/runs taken during the Galloway Tahoe Retreat in the summer.

History: During the mining boom in Virginia City (1880s) trees were harvested throughout the Tahoe basin. Near the ridgeline above the northeast corner of the lake was a well-engineered flume system. Lumberjacks would cut the trees and have horses drag the logs to the flume. The logs would float down these man-made streams into a tunnel which would dump them out into Washoe Lake on the other side for transportation to Virginia City. The flume trail follows the most dramatic flume which was cut into the mountainside through major rock formations.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available along Highway 28 at Tunnel Creek Café. This is next to what used to be the site of the 1960s-era theme park, The Ponderosa Ranch. One of the owners was Dan Blocker who played Hoss on the TV show. Walk around the Tunnel Creek Cafe on the east side of the road and you’ll turn right on Tunnel Creek Road, which parallels Highway 28. This is rough asphalt at first but quickly turns into dirt and takes you up the mountain.

Some really fit runners can run up, but I recommend hiking up (60-70 minutes for most of our runners) to save your resources for the run on top. The surface is sandy but secure in most areas. The elevation increase is almost 2,000 feet—so running up is quite tough. The lake is mostly visible going up and down, and the scenery is superb!

You’ll pass by the tunnel entrance after about 45-50 minutes. You can find historical information posted here. The trail turns right and heads to the Flume Trail. Another 10-15 minutes and the single track flume trail will intersect on the right. The trail has random planking which was used in the flume construction.

Within a few minutes you will encounter breathtaking views as the mostly level trail runs along a ledge on the side of the mountain. You can see almost all of Lake Tahoe, ringed by the mountains that once formed a volcano. The Tahoe Rim Trail runs near the ridge line all the way around.

The Western States Trail

Squaw Valley, CA

Location Info

Closest City: Sacramento, CA

Closest Airport: Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

Closest Interstate: 80

Coordinates: Squaw Valley Main Parking 39.11.51.67N 120.14.06.01W

Best Time: Summer

High Altitude: 8750 ft

Low Altitude: 6200 ft

Attractions:

Parking & Access: Parking available along Highway 89.

Websites:

wstrail.org/

www.wser.org/

The Terrain

Before roads and railroads, people used trails and travelled by foot. The Western States Trail was a popular way to hike west to Sacramento and then San Francisco. The segment that goes through Squaw Valley became the course for a 100-mile horse race and, later, a 100-mile foot race from Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA. The section described and pictured here starts from Highway 89 where the Truckee River crosses under a bridge, about half a mile south of the entrance to Squaw Valley. There is a paved rail trail (with a connection to the highway bridge) along the Truckee river from Squaw Valley to Tahoe City Trail.

This is one of the trails we run during our Squaw Valley running retreat in the summer and is a scenic journey through the various environments of the Sierra. Parts are too rocky to run, so be aware and walk through these. Those with weak ankles or foot problems should not take this trail. At the north side of this bridge over the west side of the Truckee is the start of this segment of the single track trail. It is marked with a “Western States Trail” sign and takes a short switch back,...