Nankoweap Trail

The Nankoweap Trail was originally constructed by Major John Wesley Powell and his party during a visit to the Canyon in 1882. It was constructed so that the geologist of the party, Charles Dolittle Walcott, would be more easily able to examine the Canyon's rock layers.

This trail is not one to be taken lightly. The Park Service lists it being the "MOST difficult of the named trails in Grand Canyon" and after hiking it once I would have to say that I must agree with that classification. The Nankoweap in many places is simply trouble waiting to happen and unless you've got a lot of Canyon miles under your boots I would not suggest that this trail be attempted. If, however, you do have those miles under your boots, want to see some extremely wild regions of the Canyon and feel comfortable that you are at peace with your maker (in case hiking the Nankoweap results in your meeting he or she somewhat sooner than you may have expected), then the Nankoweap is for you.

The first difficulty with the Nankoweap, as with any good north rim trail, is the location of the trailhead. It's located out in the middle of nowhere and you cannot drive directly to it. To get to the trailhead you must first drive to one of two different access points in the Kaibab National Forest and then hike either 3 or 3.5 miles along National Forest Service Trail number 57.

The first access point for NFS trail #57 is located off of USFS road #610 in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness. To get in this way turn right off of AZ 67 onto USFS road #611, about a mile south of Kaibab Lodge or 4.5 miles north of the north rim entrance station. After about a mile road 611 joins with road 610 which in 13 more miles will bring you to the trail 57 trailhead.

The other access point for NFS trail #57 is through House Rock Valley along USFS road #445. To get in via this route turn off of US-89A onto USFS road #1049, about 20 miles east of Jacob Lake or 20 miles southwest of Marble Canyon. Follow road #1049 until it becomes road #445 which will take you to the other trail 57 trailhead.