Name: Grandview Trail
Rating: 4.7

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Features Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views

Allow extra hiking time because of trail conditions. Plan on taking twice as long to hike up as it took to hike down. Hiking boots are recommended. For experienced desert hikers.

Need to Know

This trail is tougher than others on the South Rim like South Kaibab and Bright Angel. Allow more time than you think you'll need, and plan on taking twice as long to hike up as it took to hike down. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead. No drinking water is available at the trailhead or anywhere along the trail. Come prepared.

Description

The Grandview Trail is one of the best of the non-maintained trails in the park, but it's steep and requires caution. The trail was at one time well-constructed (100 years ago) but has fallen to disrepair over time. The upper parts were held together with old logs and steel rods. These have been maintained in essential spots but much of the trail is rugged and slick. Farther down, there are long sections of sandstone cobbles that have held up rather well. They make the trail smoother but it's still quite steep.

The Grandview Trail begins at 7,400 elevation. Day hikers commonly go to Coconino Saddle (6,400 feet) or Horseshoe Mesa (4,900 feet). From the trailhead at Grandview Point, the trail drops steeply down the side of a ridge to reach the viewpoint at Coconino Saddle. Past the saddle conditions get tougher, and of course hotter. Once at Horseshoe Mesa, the trail continues on a relatively flat traverse across the top of the mesa to reach a viewpoint at the western edge. Beyond there, it makes a steep descent through a gully to reach an intersection with the Tonto Trail (3,900 feet elevation).