Page Rim Trail, AZ

The Page Rim Trail is a trail constructed and maintained by the City of Page, Department of Parks and Recreation, that circumnavigates Manson Mesa. This winding 8-mile hike takes in views of the City of Page, the Vermillion Cliffs, the Echo Cliffs, the Kaibab Plateau, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante N.M., Lake Powell, the Kaparowitz Plateau, Navajo Mountain, LeChee' Rock, and the surrounding desert environment. While the trail's total length is approximately eight miles, the trail itself intersects several roads within Page, making shorter segments possible. It is important to remember this is an urban-trail type system, so on any given day, you are likely to run into hikers, joggers, bikers, kids, tourists - just about anyone. The local cross country team trains on the Rim Trail.


The best views out onto the "wilds" out beyond Page come at the south and east sections of the trail, where the trail looks out across the Navajo Reservation and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The north and west sides of the trail are pretty as well, but are closer into the city and cross the major roads in town, making them the more popular sections of the trail. Remember that if you're hiking the trail to pay close attention to the ground. Cryptobiotic soil is widespread around the Page area if the desert hasn't been disturbed. It can take decades to repair thoughtless footsteps across the fragile cryptos. The city also states that if you are hiking more than 30 vertical feet below the mesa rim, you're off the trail - get back up there! There are sections of slickrock where it's possible to begin "sliding down" seeking a lower path. The trail also crosses sandy, and loose rock stretches - watch your footing. While there's almost no flash flood danger being on a mesa top, lightning could cause some serious damage on the more exposed sections of the trail - be aware of the weather before setting out on your hike. There are two popular access points for the Page Rim Trail - the first is via the shorter "Nature Trail" at the end of North Navajo by Lakeview Elementary. The second is an established trailhead on Rimview Ave., off of Lake Powell Boulevard. Other places to easily access the trail include the library and McDonald's.

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2006-04-28 PaleoRob