Clear Creek Trail

Clear Creek Trail is an 8.4-mile, one-way backcountry route from a junction on the North Kaibab Trail to Clear Creek. It climbs away from Phantom Ranch, crosses the north-side Tonto Platform, then drops into the creek’s drainage. This is a point-to-point walk, not a loop, and it’s a demanding stretch of the inner canyon rather than a casual side trip. Allow about seven hours for the trail itself with breaks. Reaching Phantom Ranch from either rim takes its own long hike, so this makes more sense as part of a backcountry itinerary than as an out-and-back from the rim in one day.

The signed junction sits about 0.3 mile north of Phantom Ranch. From there, steep switchbacks climb toward Phantom Overlook, a sharp turn with stone benches and an open view straight down to the ranch. It’s a good place to stop early, but it can fool you into thinking the route is nearly at its payoff. It isn’t. The trail continues along the base of Tapeats Sandstone before climbing another stretch onto the Tonto Platform. This section also exposes the Great Unconformity, a gap of more than a billion years in the rock record.

On the plateau, the path contours east across Sumner Wash and two smaller drainages, with long views toward Zoroaster Temple. Near Demaray Point it turns north toward Clear Creek. The broad canyon that appears on your right is only a sign you’re about halfway there, not at the creek. Keep that in mind if you’re judging progress by the view. The Tonto stretch is open and exposed, and there’s still a long way to go.

At the far end, the trail leaves the plateau on a narrow series of switchbacks over bright orange Hakatai Shale. The loose, steep footing is the roughest part of the route. The marked trail ends at a dry tributary bed; walk about 150 meters down the wash to reach Clear Creek itself. This trail’s line ends there. Routes farther downstream to the Colorado River and upstream toward Cheyava Falls are separate backcountry trips and aren’t included here.

From Phantom Ranch to Clear Creek, the slope faces south and gets sun from sunrise to sunset. There’s no shade or reliable water between the ranch and the creek. Sumner Wash potholes are seasonal, so don’t plan a hot, exposed crossing around finding water there. In hotter months, the park recommends starting very early or hiking in the evening; either way, water is the limiting factor. Clear Creek is susceptible to flash floods. Treat or filter creek water before drinking. If you camp, the Clear Creek Use Area is at-large except for no-camping zones; an overnight backcountry permit is required; bring an animal-proof food container.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built this route in 1934 and 1935 as a mule trail from Phantom Ranch to a scenic side canyon. It remains the only trail crossing the north-side Tonto Platform. The route follows Tapeats Sandstone, where the Great Unconformity marks more than a billion years missing from the rock record. Stop at Phantom Overlook and look back at the canyon you’ve climbed out of before the wider Tonto views take over.