North Rim Wilderness Trails in Grand Canyon National Park

Clear Creek Trail 

Highlights: A scenic, relatively flat spur off the North Kaibab Trail (from the bottom of the canyon), with views of Zoroaster Temple, Clear Creek, and the Colorado River. Drawbacks: Dangerously hot and dry in summer. Difficulty Level: Like the Tonto, smooth and relatively level when not dipping into craggy drainages.

After leaving the North Kaibab Trail, Clear Creek Trail climbs in steep switchbacks east of Bright Angel Creek, eventually reaching an overlook of the Colorado River, sandwiched between the dark walls of the Granite Gorge. The trail then travels east above the river, gradually ascending to the Tonto Platform.

Before it reaches that level, however, watch for the interface between the black, 2-billion-year-old Vishnu Formation and the flat brown facade of the Tapeats Sandstone. You can touch the point of contact between these layers; this is as close as you'll get to the Great Unconformity, the 1.2-billion-year gap in the geological record caused by erosion.

After reaching the Tonto Platform, the trail continues east (and then southeast), veering around the tops of numerous drainages, all beneath the imposing presence of Zoroaster Temple to the north. This long, shadeless stretch, where blackbrush and agave are among the tallest plants, makes Clear Creek Trail a risky place for summer hiking. Eventually, the trail crests a small rise, revealing a view of the confluence of the Colorado River Gorge and the drainage cut by Clear Creek. Turning northeast, the trail crosses Zoroaster Canyon and then traverses above Clear Creek before finally descending to the creek bed itself.

There are a number of nice campsites in the area just west of Clear Creek. From these campsites, you can head out on a number of excellent day hikes. Follow the creek 4 miles north to Cheyava Falls, a seasonal waterfall that, at 800 feet, is the canyon's tallest. Or, walk (and down-climb) 6 miles south to the Colorado River. The narrows en route to the Colorado are subject to flash floods and should be avoided during wet weather and spring runoff.

Note: Remember that the North Rim is only open from mid-May to mid-October.

8.7 miles from Phantom Ranch to Clear Creek drainage. Access: .3 mile north of Phantom Ranch on the North Kaibab Trail. Water source at Clear Creek. Maps: Phantom Ranch (7.5 min.) quadrangle or Grand Canyon Sky Terrain Trail Map.