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Cape Final Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.4 (8)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. …Grand Canyon National Park
  5. North Rim
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“This is a mellow, family-friendly hike with scenic views of the canyon. Expect solitude! ”

Megan W
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Map Key

4.2

Miles

6.8

KM

Out and Back

8,045' 2,452 m

High

7,862' 2,396 m

Low

411' 125 m

Up

411' 125 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers

Family Friendly Wide path, easy trail surface with a definite goal at the end! Fun scrambling along the way. No navigation challenges.

Overview

This is an out-and-back trail with a fantastically scenic viewpoint over the Grand Canyon North Rim. Of all the wonderful overlooks along the Cape Royal Road, the Cape Final Trail is be the highlight. The combination of a pleasant forest trail and killer views at the end are hard to beat.

Need to Know

This trail is accessible only when the North Rim is open, which is typically mid-May to mid-October.

Description

From the parking lot, head up the wide packed dirt path up a moderate incline. Pass through a pleasantly shaded forest, stopping at any of the rock outcroppings along the way to take in the unique northern canyon views. Travel through an area with evidence of past wildfires. Enter a ravine and then arrive at the hugely scenic cliff face. Some folks scramble a bit further up the rocks to reach the best view, but take care near the edge! With a good topo map, you should be able to identify Vishnu Temple, the Vermilion Cliffs and Navajo Mountain, the Colorado River and the Little Colorado River in this panorama.

Flora & Fauna

Ponderosa pine, aspen, oak, cactus. Kaibab squirrel (white tail).

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Grand Canyon National Park

Shared By:

Megan W
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 8 votes

#6

in North Rim

#2948

Overall
  4.4 from 8 votes
5 Star
63%
4 Star
13%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#6

in North Rim

#135

in Arizona

#2,948

Overall
5 Views Last Month
2,102 Since Jun 10, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
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Photos

View to south with Unkar Creek running through picture. Jupiter Temple on left side.
Jun 25, 2018 near Grand C…, AZ
Contemplating the expansive view from Cape Final (photo by brewbooks)
Jun 11, 2015 near Grand C…, AZ
Starting out on the trail to Cape Final
Jun 11, 2015 near Grand C…, AZ

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 22, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Sep 5, 2021
Dylan Dullinger
Aug 17, 2021
christopher wilczynski
Jul 24, 2020
Kathy Stouffer
Oct 24, 2019
Braxton Cox
4.3mi
Oct 10, 2019
Jacob Stuckey
Jul 2, 2019
Matthew Kleberg
Nice meandering trail through a healthy ponderosa forest with stunning views of the canyon and the San Francisco Peaks. definitely worth taking slo… 4.3mi — 3h 15m
Oct 28, 2018
Stephanie Elizabeth

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