Arizona Trail Passage 39: Grand Canyon - North Rim

AZT Passage 39: Grand Canyon-North Rim is a 12-mile point-to-point section of the roughly 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. This passage is located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and runs from the North Kaibab Trailhead to the Kaibab National Forest boundary. This section is rated as easy to moderate and is accessible for hikers, trail runners, long-distance backpackers, equestrians and mountain bikers. From the North Kaibab Trailhead, the trail traverses across the seldom-used north side of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim attracts only 10% of the Grand Canyon's annual visitors, resulting in a serene and solitary environment. Enjoy this quieter shift from the busier Bright Angel Trail. Before heading north on this section, take a short walk to the rim and catch one more glimpse, through pine trees and fir, into the vast red limestone of Bright Angel Canyon. The trail follows a mix of dirt roads and singletrack trails across a gentle terrain, with some short, steep sections through rolling, forested hills and lush meadows. This mixed conifer forest is home to aspen and evergreen trees as well as ponderosa pines. This passage takes place above 8,000 feet of elevation, which causes cooler temperatures and the possibility for snow through the spring season and sometimes into early summer.NEED TO KNOWFull service facilities on the North Rim are only open from May 15 through October 15.DIRECTIONSFollow Arizona National Scenic Trail signs/trail markers.WATERThe North Rim may have potable water via spigot at the trailhead. Always call in advance to get up to date information.Check the Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at: https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INFORMATIONArizona National Scenic Trail Association: www.aztrail.orgGrand Canyon National Park, http://www.nps.gov/grca/, 1-(928) 638-7888.Kaibab National Forest, North Kaibab Ranger District, http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/, 1-(928) 643-7298.Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/visit/visit.html, 1-(928) 643-7298.BLM Information Center: 1-(602) 417-9300.