Lava Falls Trail

Trail conditions: This trail is hot in the summer and is in full sun. Carrying enough water might be impossible for some. Consider hiking in the spring. Gloves are good protection from sharp rocks and cacti. Barrel Cactus are common along the route. Many hikers will find themselves using their hands often on the down hike to keep from falling on unstable footing. Cairns mark the route.
Trailhead: The Lava Falls route and Vulcan's Throne route share the same trailhead.
Trailend: Same as starting

There is no trail, but there is a route of sorts down to the Colorado River through a corridor. If you are looking for an enjoyable and scenic trail this is not it, but it does have its value. The hardcore hiker will be drawn to the challenge and the end point is the river. Do not underestimate the time needed to finish this hike since route finding is difficult and in the dark might be impossible. To add to this, the path is a jumbled mess of sharp and unsecured rock.

Make your way down the steep and unstable section, following the sparse display of cairns along the way. The first named section of the trail is called Vulture Valley. It's a bit unsettling to look up in this barren land and see the Turkey Vultures circle overhead as they like to do in this section of the route. At the bottom of Vulture Valley is a vertical step with a down climb. Climb up and over the large basalt ridge where the Colorado River and Prospect Valley are now visible. Toward the bottom of the route bright angel shale is visible. The roar of Lava Falls, although a low hum from the Toroweap Overlook, is now crystal clear. The falls are found .3 miles downstream from the routes end. In the Grand Canyon the Lava Falls section here forms rapids that are perhaps only second to the Crystal Rapid.

Best Trail Features: Trail leads to the Colorado River.

The Trail: This is the shortest and steepest rim to river hike in the Grand Canyon. Lava Falls was formed in 1939 by debris from Prospect Canyon. Watching the boats navigate the 13' drop is a high point of this hike.

Options: Hike up the cinder dome at the end of the hike rather than fighting the loose footing along the cairned route. if you are good at route finding you could even begin the hike this way.