Trail of Time,
Grand Canyon National Park
The Trail of Time is a popular tourist destination and part of the Rim Trail — it offers an interpretive guide to the geology of the park. Every meter of the trail is marked with a brass plaque representing one million years in time. Along the trail you will be able to see and feel different samples of rocks taken from within the canyon. The trail is located between Verkamp's Visitor Centre and Yavapai Geology Museum. Wheelchair accessible.
Elevation
The Trail of Time has a maximum elevation of 6,994 ft., a minimum elevation of 6,802 ft. and an elevation range of 192 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 1.0 mi | 6,802 ft | 6,994 ft | 192 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 22 min | 3.4 | 41 ft | 183 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 23 min | 15.2 | 183 ft | 41 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Trail of Time topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Havasupai Point, AZ
- North Topo Map: Shiva Temple, AZ
- Northeast Topo Map: Bright Angel Point, AZ
- West Topo Map: Piute Point, AZ
- Topo Map: Grand Canyon, AZ
- East Topo Map: Phantom Ranch, AZ
- Southwest Topo Map: Metzger Tank, AZ
- South Topo Map: Tusayan West, AZ
- Southeast Topo Map: Tusayan East, AZ
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Trail of Time compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Trail of Time?
The length of the trail is 1.0 miles (1.6 km) or 2,146 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Trail of Time?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 22 minutes in one direction and in 23 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.