River Trail (Arizona): Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Hikinghiking trail

|Namename=River Trail

|Photophoto=River-tr-gcnp.JPG

|Captioncaption=Zoroaster Temple and suspension bridges from River Trail

|Locationlocation=[[Grand Canyon National Park]], [[Arizona]], [[United States]]

|Start/End Pointstrailheads=[[Bright Angel Trail]]<br>[[South Kaibab Trail]]

|Useuse=[[Hiking]]<br>[[Horse|Stock (Horse use)]]

|LowPointlowest_name=[[Colorado River]], 2400 [[Foot (length)|ft]]

|Difficultydifficulty=Moderate

|Seasonseason=Year Round

|Hazardssights=[[Grand Canyon]]<br>[[Colorado River]]
|hazards=[[Severe weather|Severe Weather]]<br>[[Fatigue (physical)|Overexertion]]<br>[[Dehydration]]

! Distance ([[mile|mi]])

! Elv ([[foot (unit of measure)|ft]])

| 2600 || South Kaibab Trail || [[South Kaibab Trail]]

Though it has no official trailhead, the '''River Trail''' is an important link in the trail system in [[Grand Canyon]]. This trail connects the [[Bright Angel Trail]] at its western terminus with [[Phantom Ranch]] and the Bright Angel Campground via the silver suspension bridge. Continuing beyond the silver bridge oneOne mile (1.6&nbsp;km) willbeyond bringthe yousilver tobridge is the eastern terminus and junction with the [[South Kaibab Trail]]. Heading north on the South Kaibab Trail takes youleads to the black[[Black suspensionSuspension bridgeBridge]] and across the river to the [[North Kaibab Trail]] junction.<ref>Official guide to hiking the Grand Canyon / by Scott Thybony - {{ISBN |0-938216-48-1}}</ref>

The primary water source along the ''River Trail'' is the [[Colorado River]]. If water is to be taken from the river for drinking, it must be either filtered, treated, or boiled before consuming.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/backcountry/backcountry_faq.htm#q16 Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry FAQ, Treating Water]</ref>

Camping is not allowed along the ''River Trail''. Hikers must proceed to the Bright Angel Campground where they can camp with a permit issued by the [[Grand Canyon National Park]] Backcountry Information Center. Use of the campground overnight is regulated by the [[National Park Service]], and they call for a maximum number of groups (7 to 11 people) and parties (1 to 6 people), as well as a maximum total number of persons.<ref name="kaibab.org">[http://www.kaibab.org/bc/gc_use.htm Grand Canyon National Park Use Areas]</ref>

The closest campground to the ''River Trail'' is the Bright Angel Campground, located about {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} north of the junction with the silver suspension bridge.<ref name="kaibab.org"/> The three letter code indicates the park's use area designation:

Use permits are available on a first-come, first-serveserved basis from the park's Backcountry Information Center. Requests are taken beginning on the 1st day of the month, up to four month'smonths before the requested first night of camping.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/backcountry/permit_procedures.htm Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Use Permit Procedure]</ref>

Hazards hikers can encounter along the ''River Trail'' include [[dehydration]], sudden rainstorms, flash flooding, loose footing, rockfall, encounters with wildlife, and extreme heat. At the [[Colorado River]], additional hazards include [[hypothermia]] (due to the river's consistently cold temperatures), [[Physical trauma|trauma]] (due to collisions with boulders in rapids), and [[drowning]].<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/backcountry/smart.htm Grand Canyon National Park Summer Hiking]</ref>