North Bass Trail

This article is about the hiking trail at the north rim of Grand Canyon. For the trail from the south rim, see South Bass Trail.

North Bass Trail
File:Colorado from North Bass.jpg The Colorado River viewed from the near-terminus of the North Bass Trail.
Length	13.5 mi; 22.7 km
Location	Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
Trailheads	North Rim Colorado River Grand Canyon (North Rim)
Use	Hiking Backpacking
Elevation change	5728 ft
Highest point	North Rim, 7928 ft
Lowest point	Colorado River, 2200ft
Difficulty	Very Strenuous
Season	Early Spring to Late Fall
Sights	Grand Canyon Colorado River
Hazards	Severe Weather Overexertion Dehydration Flash Flood

The North Bass Trail is a hiking trail located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Access

The trail is accessible by use of U.S. Forest Service roads along the north rim of Grand Canyon. The trailhead is located in the remote backcountry of the forests on the canyon's the north rim. To reach it, an 18-mile drive by high-clearance (4-wheel drive preferred) vehicles is required. The trail begins at Swamp Point at an elevation of 7,500 feet at the end of Swamp Point Road.

Description

File:North Bass Canyon.jpg

The canyon where the North Bass Trail is located.

This 14-mile trail is considered difficult, primarily due to length and elevation. Until recently the trail was very eroded and required considerable route-finding expertise. A major reconstruction effort by a volunteer crew in 2005 restored much of the original trailbed, improving travel and navigation, but still one of the Canyon's most strenuous trails and providing access to an exceptional wilderness area.

No services are available, water sources include perennial flow in Shinumo Creek and at the Colorado River, which must be treated before consuming.

History

At one time, this trail was connected to the South Bass Trail via a cable and platform that crossed the Colorado River. The tramway no longer exists, and river crossing can only be made by raft.

See also

• Geology of the Grand Canyon area
• List of trails in Grand Canyon National Park
• North Rim of the Grand Canyon

External links

• Official Grand Canyon National Park website
• National Park Service factsheet
• Hike Arizona
• OpenStreetMap
• OpenStreetMap GPX file