VISHNU TRAIL

VISHNU TRAIL: A Tiny Trek on the Edge of the Grand Canyon.

A hiker on the Vishnu Trail approaches G.C. views.

Whether hiked as an inspirational appetizer, warm up walk or add-on trek while exploring around the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near the town of Tusayan, the Vishnu Trail is a quick and easy diversion with tantalizing views and opportunities to engage with the Arizona Trail.  

Vishnu Trail connects with the Arizona Trail

The hike begins directly under the Grandview Lookout Tower, where the well-marked path heads north through wildlife-rich pine-oak woodlands and shrubby enclaves.  After roughly a quarter-mile, glimpses of the hazy, russet chasm begin to appear through the trees.

Grandview Lookout under stormy skies. Yes, we got soaked!

An oak-shaded passage on the Vishnu Trail.

As the trail progresses to its overlook spur, scenic vistas unwrap like unexpected gifts that surprise and thrill. 

Vishnu Temple (right) seen from the trail overlook.

A metal gate marks the threshold to the best sights of the hike. Beyond the gate, canyon vistas take center stage, culminating at a boulder ledge above a sea of pinion and ponderosa pines that creeps up to the colorfully-layered walls of the canyon.  Views of dramatic rock formations, fog-veiled depths and the distant highlands of the Kaibab Plateau tease the imagination and seed ambitions for more canyon hiking.   Seasoned Grand Canyon hikers might find these peek-a-boo vistas underwhelming, but for first-timers or those who appreciate alternate points-of-view, they are stunning.  

The lookout residence cabin was built in 1936.

Coconino Rim in distance.

The prominent cone-shaped formation in the mid-ground is 7829-foot Vishnu Temple. Named for the Hindu god who protects the universe, the majestic landmark is one of the highest points in the gorge’s east end.

Grandview Lookout survey marker.

But the ooh-ahh photo opps don’t end here.  To the southeast, an imposing, elongated landform marks the convergence of the Coconino Plateau, the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers and the pastel flatlands of the Painted Desert. 

To complete the loop, backtrack to the spur junction and follow the return leg to where it connects with Passage 36 of the Arizona Trail and the Dwarf Mistletoe Interpretive Area.  Head left here for a short walk outfitted with educational signs that provide information on the invasive parasite, forest health, plants and wildlife. 

Sign in the Dwarf Mistletoe Interpretive Area

This worthwhile diversion adds just under a mile to the trek.  For a longer option, continue hiking south on the Arizona Trail through thick woodlands of the Kaibab National Forest that hover above expansive desert plains. This 4.7-mile section is also referred to as the Coconino Rim Trail. Replete with scenic viewpoints, the shaded, easy stretch gives a tiny taste of the 800-mile route that runs north-south through the state from Mexico to Utah.  

Vishnu Trail links to the Arizona Trail.

Back at the trailhead, gird your acrophobia and check out the Grandview Lookout.

Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936, the 80-foot-tall tower capped with a seven-foot-square metal cab soars above the trees at the lip of the canyon.  When a forest service worker is on duty and not engaged with a fire incident, visitors are welcome to climb the narrow, creaky stairs for predictably grand views.  Nearby, a cozy two-room cabin, also built in 1936, serves as home base for the lookout workers and adjacent camping spots allow hikers to pitch a tent and hang out for a few days of adventure.

Beautiful woodlands at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

LENGTH:

Vishnu Trail: 1.1-mile loop (2 miles with the interpretive trail)

Coconino Rim: 9.7 miles out-and-back

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 7400 - 7529 feet

GETTING THERE:

From U.S. 64 in Tusayan, turn right on Forest Road 302, which is located just past the traffic circle when entering town from the south.  Go 14.1 miles east on FR 302 to Forest Road 310, turn left and continue 1.3 miles to the trailhead at the tower. Forest roads are good dirt/gravel suitable for passenger vehicles. There's a vault toilet at the trailhead.

INFO:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kaibab/recreation/recarea/?recid=32210&actid=24

Rainbow Rim gets fresh tracks along the North Rim of Grand Canyon

RAINBOW RIM TRAIL EXTENTION

PHOTO: courtesy Kaibab National Forest

Kaibab National Forest PRESS RELEASE:

FREDONIA, Ariz. - Friends of the North Kaibab Ranger District, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), the Southern Nevada Mountain Bike Association (SNMBA), Zion Cycles, and Utah Mountain Biking Tours volunteered their time this past Memorial Day weekend to break ground on the new Rainbow Rim trail extension located along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on the Kaibab National Forest.

The Rainbow Rim trail connects five scenic vistas along 18 miles of the North Rim, and each offers its own unique view of the surrounding landscape.  The current trail begins at Parissawampitts point, continues to Fence point, Locust point, North Timp point, and ends at Timp point.

"We welcome riders to come lay down some fresh tracks as the trail extension project progresses and we encourage those who would like to volunteer to help complete the trail to join us," said Melissa Robinson, North Kaibab Ranger District recreation specialist and coordinator for the trail extension. "We have worked diligently to get this trail extension to fruition, and we are delighted to offer an awesome new scenic trail for mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers alike to see our forest from a completely new perspective."

The new trail extension will consist of new construction and about four miles of road-to-trail conversion. When complete, phase one of the trail extension will start at Timp point and head east in and out of the pines. The new single-track extension will offer sections for beginners to advanced riders giving everyone a unique perspective of some very epic views along the canyon rim. During the weekend of work, volunteers cut, hacked, dug and removed debris along the trail and completed 1,500 feet of the 8-mile extension.

"Eventually, the trail extension will continue and tie into the existing trail back to Parissawampitts," Robinson added. Once the loop is complete, riders will be able to ride the lollipop for nearly a full 32-mile loop.

The North Kaibab Ranger District trail crew helped scout and flag the trail extension under the supervision of experienced rider and IMBA Southwest Regional Director Patrick Kell, in order to ensure it met IMBA trail-building standards and so it would be ready for volunteers to cut and bench that weekend. The trail crew will be working throughout the summer on this and other projects on the forest.

Photos of the ongoing project are available at http://tinyurl.com/m4flmak. For updates and information on volunteering to help complete the Rainbow Rim extension, please contact Melissa Robinson at (928) 643-8120. For more information on the IMBA, please visit www.facebook.com/IMBAonFB.

-NFS-

Grand Canyon Rim Trail

RIM TRAIL South Rim Grand Canyon National Park This easy-to-access trail hugging the canyon’s south rim is a popular way to explore Arizona’s most magnificent attraction while barely breaking a sweat---making it a perfect place to take your friends and family who may be more into strolling than hiking. From Park Headquarters, the trail goes east for nearly 3 miles to Mather Point and west for just under 9 miles to Hermit’s Rest. Maps are available onsite and you can hop the shuttle bus to get to any of the 10 stops along the trail. Although the trail never strays far from the park roads, great views and the chance of spotting one of the reintroduced California condors soaring above more than makes up for the lack of a “wilderness” feel. LENGTH: 12 miles one-way RATING: easy—some sections are paved & accessible ELEVATION: 6,820 – 7,020 feet GETTING THERE: From Grand Canyon Village, simply head out to the paved walkway along the rim of the canyon and start hiking in either direction.