HikeArizona.COM

If you're a Grand Canyon veteran doing the Bright Angel/Tonto/S. Kaibab shuttle, which way would you rather go? Down the steep Kaibab and up Bright Angel or save the steeper Kaibab stretch for the climb up?

To me it depends on the time of year. If its hot, kiabab to BA, opposite if in winter.

I go down S. Kaibab and up Bright Angel, but I wouldn't mind trying the other way just to see how bad it really is. That's a lot of up in not very much distance.

It's all about the water. None on SK so you have to carry what you need. Easier to carry it down than up. Water on BA. In the winter you have water at Pipe Creek and Indian Gardens (the 1/2 way spot). In the summer you have water at Pipe Creek, Indian Gardens, 3 mile Rest House and 1 1/2 rest house so you don't have to carry as much. I prefer going down SK and up BA.

On most trails, I'd prefer to go up the steeper trail and down the easier one. However, I don't think that S. kaibab is THAT much worse than Bright Angel - it's still well maintained and stable. So, I then agree with the water issue. If heat is at all a concern, then it's far better to go up the shadier, cooler BA and have water available at regular intervals.

Another nice benefit of doing it in that direction in winter is that with the sun in the south, you'll be hiking into it the whole day on the SK. BA is shaded, and therefore easier on the eyes. Not a big deal for some, but I find I get much worse headaches, neck-aches and eyestrain when I hike into the sun for hours on end...

For Moonlight hiking S. Kaibab all the way.... the canyon isn't in the way of the moon.... I like down and up S. Kaibab it is a little bit steeper but less people and you can see all of the canyon.. In hotter months of course Bright Angel up with the water situation...

I did up the S. Kaibab last year and I liked it a lot better than the BA, especially now that they have taken the mules off of it. And you can save yourself from the sun in your eyes by using an umbrella. (we need a HAZ umbrella smiley, Joe!) Of course, if it is hot- up the BA.

The mules are off, if I recall correctly, because of trail maintenance.. I'm not sure they're going to stay off. That being said, I agree whole-heartedly with everything that's been said so far.. I will say though, that I really did enjoy not having to carry water up BA.. that was the most enjoyable part.. having fewer people towards the top, that'd be a bonus for Kaibab.

I don't prefer either one. I prefer avoiding the Corridor trails...

Don't do it if its hot--very simple.
4,500 feet up is a lot of UP, doesn't matter if it's over 7 miles or 9 miles. Do it both ways so you can see the different scenery.

Gotta love HAZ. The wealth of knowledge passed down from experience is invaluable.

SK over Tonto and up the BA. Park your vehicle in the Backcountry parking lot and take the early morning shuttle to the SK trailhead. There is no public parking at the SK trailhead so you will not be able to leave your vehicle here. Dayhikers will park on the highway and walk in to the trailhead but I would not advise leaving your vehicle parked along the highway or at the picnic spot for a night or two. In the summer, to avoid some of the heat the bus will get you to the SK trailhead pre-dawn. It is a great view to get down to OOhh-AAAHH point as the sun lifts over the eastern horizon and sunlight floods the Canyon---worth the entire hike. Of course, check and see if the bus is indeed running. If not, taxi service will take you there from the Backcountry parking lot. Be sure to have your water with you. There is a spigout at the SK trailhead but it may not be on if the weather is cold on the Rim. You don't want to arrive at the SK trailhead to find you have no access to water. Carry enough for the 9+ miles between the SK trailhead and Indian Gardens. Once down the SK you turn to the west on the Tonto---you will have the sun at your back until later afternoon. Burro Spring and Pipe Spring along the Tonto between the SK and the BA are both considered seasonal and unreliable. Check with the BC Rangers before you leave. The Tonto trail is well-traveled and fairly level but there are plenty of old Burro trails (from the feral Burros removed about 30 years ago!) that one can get sidetracked. Their damage is still evident across this section of the Tonto. I've had better water out of Pipe Spring as compared to Burro---treat your water if you draw---I picked up giardia many years ago out of Pipe Creek. In summer, the trail across Pipe Creek disappears into some streamside vegetation so be alert and do not follow the creek up but step over to stay on the Tonto trail. I like to do this hike combined with a night at Indian Gardens. You can take a side trip out to Plateau Point if you are going to spend the night at Indian Gardens. Plateau Point is great for sunset, moonrise, and (if you are an early bird) sunrise. There should be water at Indian Gardens, the 3 mile and the 1.5 mile resthouse on the way up the BA---be sure to ask and always carry some with you because the water line is notorious for breaking. The big advantage to ending at the BA is that you are in within a short shuttle bus ride or walk back over to your vehicle parked in the Backcountry lot. You are also at the trailhead for an ice cream cone! You'll love this hike and it will whet your appetitie to come back for even more loops.

@Canyonram, that loop is one of my favorite hikes!

If I had my way up and down kaibab, BA just takes to long. If you really want the loop down SK up BA.
Moonlight = SK
Water or heat= BA
Parking = BA, or 1/2 mile from the TH on the main road for SK, none at the TH except maybe in winter, I forget their rules.

In the end, any trip to the canyon is better than not going at all.

davis2001r6 wrote:In the end, any trip to the canyon is better than not going at all.

You homesick yet? ;)

Yes, in Vegas for a few weeks so getting to do a little hiking. 6 hour drive to the GC canyon from here though, I did consider it.

I recently hiked the Old B.A. (south rim version) which is in suprisingly good shape - no mud(?) puddles nor green horse glop; not to mention French tourists.
It intersects the Tonto about 1/3 mile east of the 'new' B.A., and heads north, near the old telegraph pole. It is easy to follow and will dump you out a bit above the stairs.

hikeaz wrote:I recently hiked the Old B.A. (south rim version) which is in suprisingly good shape - no mud(?) puddles nor green horse glop; not to mention French tourists.

Ok, I give up, what is the rest of the story in regards to French terrorists, oops, I meant French tourists?

SuperstitionGuy wrote:

hikeaz wrote:I recently hiked the Old B.A. (south rim version) which is in suprisingly good shape - no mud(?) puddles nor green horse glop; not to mention French tourists.

Ok, I give up, what is the rest of the story in regards to French terrorists, oops, I meant French tourists?

Ha... French terrorists ... I can see it now.... as one of them, waving a baguette wildly ......

As most hikers know, the uphill hiker generally (most always) has the right-of-way. Tourists (FRENCH tourists in particular) have a habit of walking 3-or-4 wide down the B.A. (or any other trail they seem to be on) planning that all other earthly creatures will part in their presence. Since they can't FIND it, the Old BA seems to be void of them.

One more reason I will really miss my old A-16 external frame pack! I just plow my way through them and boy, do they scatter!