Clear Creek Trail
Encyclopedia
The Clear Creek Trail is a hiking
trail
on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park
, located in the U.S. state
of Arizona
.
The trail begins near the Colorado River
at the bottom of the Grand Canyon
, about 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) north of Phantom Ranch
at a junction with the North Kaibab Trail
. From the trail head, the trail ascends 1150 feet (350.5 m) to the Tonto Platform over the first 1.7 miles (2.7 km). Once on the platform, the trail heads east around the south side of Zoroaster Temple, a large butte on the north side of the river that's easily identified from Grand Canyon Village on the south rim. The trail follows contours around the temple for several miles until it reaches the Ottoman Amphitheater, and then descends into the Clear Creek drainage. Total trail length to Clear Creek is about 8.4 miles (13.5 km).
Camping in the Clear Creek area is "at large" with two exceptions: No camping is allowed between the trail head at the junction with the North Kaibab Trail and Sumner Wash, and in the Clear Creek drainage from its mouth at the Colorado River upstream to the first major side-canyon entering from the east. Most creek beds along the trail are dry. Perennial water is only available at Clear Creek at the eastern terminus of the trail. All water in the Clear Creek area must be filtered, treated, or boiled before consuming.
project during 1934 and 1935. It was originally used as a mule trail for visitors from Phantom Ranch, but this ended during World War II. Clear Creek Trail is the only trail that traverses the Tonto Platform on the north side of the Colorado River.
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
, located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Description
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
at the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States...
, about 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) north of Phantom Ranch
Phantom Ranch
Phantom Ranch is a resort village within Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It is located on the north side of the Colorado River near its confluence with Bright Angel Creek and Phantom Creek.-History:...
at a junction with the North Kaibab Trail
North Kaibab Trail
The North Kaibab Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.-Access:Access to this part of the park by car is seasonal, open from mid-May to mid-October or depending on snowcover from the previous winter...
. From the trail head, the trail ascends 1150 feet (350.5 m) to the Tonto Platform over the first 1.7 miles (2.7 km). Once on the platform, the trail heads east around the south side of Zoroaster Temple, a large butte on the north side of the river that's easily identified from Grand Canyon Village on the south rim. The trail follows contours around the temple for several miles until it reaches the Ottoman Amphitheater, and then descends into the Clear Creek drainage. Total trail length to Clear Creek is about 8.4 miles (13.5 km).
Camping in the Clear Creek area is "at large" with two exceptions: No camping is allowed between the trail head at the junction with the North Kaibab Trail and Sumner Wash, and in the Clear Creek drainage from its mouth at the Colorado River upstream to the first major side-canyon entering from the east. Most creek beds along the trail are dry. Perennial water is only available at Clear Creek at the eastern terminus of the trail. All water in the Clear Creek area must be filtered, treated, or boiled before consuming.
History
Construction of the trail was a Civilian Conservation CorpsCivilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
project during 1934 and 1935. It was originally used as a mule trail for visitors from Phantom Ranch, but this ended during World War II. Clear Creek Trail is the only trail that traverses the Tonto Platform on the north side of the Colorado River.