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& Favorite SW Sites Grand
Canyon Forum
Mileage: Mount Carmel Jct.
Tuweep 90 miles
South Canyon 75 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Zion Park 12 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Plan your North Rim Grand Canyon vacation with
our Arizona Maps and Information In these pages you will find insiders information
on the best Grand Canyon hikes and Backpacks including Tuweep and South Canyon
Trails. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps, pictures, trail beta,
backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds, things for kids
to do and even information on Grand Canyon North Rim hidden treasures.
Making grand memories in the Arizona national parks.
Arizona |
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Grand
Canyon North Rim Road Map
Directions to North Rim Grand Canyon: From Zion National Park,
take on U-9 through the park to Mt. Carmel Jct. Turn south on US-89 to Kanab.
There is only one stop light in Kanab; this is where US-89 changes to ALT 89.
Fredonia, Arizona is 6 miles. In Fredona take 89A to Jacob lake (36 miles), then
take AZ 67 to the Grand Canyon North Rim park entrance.
Winter Road Conditions and
Highway 67 Road Closures
The Uncle Jim Trail offers some nice views of the Grand Canyon
and an enjoyable hike through the forest.
Uncle Jim Trail GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Ken Patrick Trailhead
36°13.052 N
112°03.346 W
Elevation: 8260'
Ken Patrick Trail and Uncle Jim Trail Intersection
36°13.594 N
112°02.962 W
Elevation: 8290'
Uncle Jim Loop Trail Intersection
36°13.536 N
112°02.680 W
Elevation: 8360'
Uncle Jim Point
36°12.826 N
112°02.517 W
Elevation: 8300'
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information
by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo
Beck and www.zionnational-park author, Tanya Milligan
Suggested
Gear: Be prepared for the rugged terrain of the Grand
Canyon. Hi-tech socks are important to stave off blisters and sturdy hiking shoes
are a must.
To offer trip reports, corrections, update
or for more information please visit the Grand Canyon Forum
This article by Bo and Tanya was published in the St. George Today Magazine.
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Uncle Jim Trail
Many think that when the Grand Canyon Lodge closes its doors in mid-October, entry to the North Rim is halted. The truth is that this is the best time to visit the park if you enjoy the national parks but want to escape the crowds. Highway 67, the road to the North Rim, is under the management of ADOT and they keep the road open until the first heavy snow. This means the road is almost always open in late November and for many years it has been open until mid-December. If going this time of year, be prepared for the high elevation and lack of services. A wonderful trail to take when the temperature dips is the Uncle Jim Trail. This is a moderate hike with a few minor elevation changes. The majority of the trail is located within the wooded areas of the North Rim Plateau, but travel along the rim affords beautiful views of Roaring Springs Canyon and Bright Angel Canyon far below.
Photo Album: Uncle
Jim Pictures
Trail Map: Uncle Jim Trail Map
Day Hike:
: For those looking for a longer day hike that does not go below the rim, this trail is ideal.
Distance: 5 miles (8 km) round trip.
Average Hiking Time: Allow 4 hours.
Equipment:
Sturdy hiking shoes and appropriate clothing for the season are suggested. During late spring, summer and early fall, the bugs may be a nuisance, so insect repellent may be desirable. There is no water available on this hike. Shade can be found under the forest trees, however much of the hike will be done in direct sunlight. It is always a good idea to have a full gas tank, a cooler of food and drink and extra water when going to a remote place like the North Rim, especially in the late fall or winter.
Difficulty: This 5 mile trail has some moderate
uphill hiking.
Permits:
Not required unless camping. Camping is "at large" along this path which means you can camp just about anywhere, but be sure to camp out of site of the trail and obtain a permit from the NPS.
Camping : There is free camping at the North Rim Campground with a permit after the Grand Canyon Lodge closes and camping is allowed along this trail with a permit. In the winter, do not expect any campground services to work except the toilets. The campground is located about one mile north of the lodge.
Trailhead: Ken Patrick Trailhead at the North Kaibab/Ken Patrick parking lot.
Trailend: Same as trailhead
Trail Access: Easy access unless there is snow. Note
the Road closure of highway
67 in the winter.
Elevation: Trailhead 8180'
Elevation: Highest Point 8427'
Off the Beaten Path: No
Classic Hike: Yes
Best Season:
The Uncle Jim Trail is good to hike year-round, but if the mule dung and the heat of the sun get to you then opt to hike this trail after the services at the North Rim close in mid-October.
Water Availability: None.
Restrooms: Portable potties are often at the trailhead.
Uncle Jim Trail
The trail begins at the North Kaibab/Ken Patrick parking lot located a little more than 2 miles north of the Grand Canyon Lodge. The parking lot is large and is also the beginning point for the North Kaibab Trail that leads to the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch. To begin the hike, locate the sign at the end of the parking lot that indicates the Ken Patrick Trail and provides a brief history of Ken Patrick. Start by walking to the east on the Ken Patrick Trail. The first part of the trail has wonderful rim views. Continue walking on this path until you come to an intersection which is .75 miles into the hike. At the intersection of the Ken Patrick Trail and the Uncle Jim Trail, turn right at the sign, and follow the path downhill. The trail will gradually descend into a wooded wash and then climb out of the hollow to the east. Soon, another intersection is met. Go to the right and continue ascending to the southeast through a gently undulating forest landscape. The trail veers southwest and the rim comes into view.
Uncle Jim Point
At this point, cables for tethering pack mules and some charming wooden-wheel stools are found beneath soaring Ponderosa Pine trees. Mixed zones of spruce, fir and aspen are seen along the trail at various points. This area is a viewpoint and picnic area shared with pack mule trips operating during the summer months. By continuing farther past this area and onto the prominent point of Kaibab Limestone is Uncle Jim Point . There are impressive views from the point of Roaring Springs Canyon, portions of the Grand Canyon Lodge, Walhalla Plateau as well as Deva, Brahma and Zoroaster Temples. Looking up-canyon to the right, the switchbacks of the North Kaibab Trail can be seen as they descend and skirt the cliff faces far below.
Looping
Just back from the point , a trail continues northeast along the rim for a short distance, then ducks into the woods, and then once again continues along the rim. Glimpses of Bright Angel Canyon appear to the east, far below. After about .75 miles the trail leaves the rim and winds its way through the woods then once again arrives at the loop intersection. The path then continues back to the intersection with the Ken Patrick Trail and the .75 mile walk back to the North Kaibab/Ken Patrick parking lot.
Overall, this hike is a wonderful reprieve from the busy rim trails located near the lodge. The views are certainly worth the moderate hike through the beautiful forest rimming the north edge of the Grand Canyon. Be on the lookout for the elusive Kaibab squirrel! This unique squirrel is found only in the Ponderosa Pine forests of the North Rim. The Albert squirrel, found on the South Rim and Kaibab squirrel shared the same ancestor, but after separation for thousands of years the Kaibab squirrel developed different characteristics including its bushy white tail.
Trail History
James T. Owens, known as Uncle Jim, was awarded the position as the Grand Canyon Game Reserve's first warden from 1906 until the park was established. Over a period of twelve years he killed several hundred mountain lions on the North Rim leaving the deer to over populate and many to die from lack of food. The aftermath of this dramatic reduction of mountain lions led to the knowledge that killing predators is damaging to the delicate balance of nature.
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