The Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world. Its 277-mile length is protected by 1.2 million acres of national park. The fabulous views of nature's sculpture are known world-wide - indeed are even better than our wildest imaginings. The walking trails are equally awesome. Many are serious endeavours only for the most experienced trekkers. The American South-West hosts a profusion of national and state parks and wildernesses. It boasts a seemingly endless variety of deep canyons, deserts high and low, snow-capped mountains and raging rivers. The Grand Canyon is only the largest of these canyons; the smaller Zion and Bryce National Parks are less famous, but lose nothing in comparison. Come and view this magnificent corner of the United States. Join in touring these parks on foot. Walk the high country of Zion and veer down into the valley from atop its towering red walls. Weave amidst the hoodoos of Bryce and descend into the hidden depths of the Grand Canyon. Walkers can easily steer clear of crowds and enjoy the backcountry in relative isolation.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1 Using this book Summary of contents Fact panels Distances and time estimates Trail rating Maps Direction Water Long distance route recommendations Route profiles Summary tables 2 Visiting the South-Western United States Travelling to the South-Western United States Passports and visas Customs and duties When to go Getting around Entrance fees Time zones Currency Traveller's cheques and credit cards Insurance Sales tax Lodging and camping Business hours Telephone Toll-free numbers Post Laundry Weights, measures and temperature Electricity Smoking Tipping Helpful phone numbers 3 Equipment and special hazards Equipment Shelter Sleeping bag Stove and fuel Food Clothing Boots Miscellaneous Special Hazards Water requirements Heat and sun Rockfall Cold Flash floods 4 Visiting Grand Canyon National Park Introduction Getting there Getting around - shuttle services Weather and seasons Lodging Camping Visitor services Interpretative programmes Grand Canyon Association Grand Canyon Field Institute Other facilities Time zones 5 Walking in Grand Canyon National Park Introduction Overnight backcountry permits and procedures Fees Groups Day hiking Trip planning Corridor trails First-timers on cross-canyon trips Lodging at Phantom Ranch Shuttle services Maps Backcountry Management Zones Trail categories Waymarking Camping regulations Water sources Search and rescue Visiting archaeological sites Tour aircraft and river-runners Mules Insects, reptiles and mammals Heat Other Grand Canyon dangers Warning 6 Grand Canyon trails: South Rim, Rim to River trails Introduction Table of trails South Bass Boucher Trail Hermit Trail Bright Angel Trail South Kaibab Trail Grandview Trail New Hance Trail Tanner Trail 7 Grand Canyon National Park: North Rim, Rim to River trails Introduction Table of trails Thunder River and Bill Hall Trails with Deer Creek Extension North Bass Trail North Kaibab Trail Nankoweap Trail 8 Grand Canyon National Park: trans-canyon trails Introduction Table of trails Escalante Route: Tanner Canyon to New Hance Trail at Red Canyon Tonto Trail: New Hance Trail at Red Canyon to Hance Creek Tonto Trail: Hance Creek to Cottonwood Creek Tonto Trail: Cottonwood Creek to South Kaibab Trail Tonto Trail: South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail at Indian Garden Tonto Trail: Bright Angel Trail at Indian Garden to Hermit Creek Tonto Trail: Hermit Creek to Boucher Creek Tonto Trail: Boucher Creek to Bass Canyon Table Clear Creek Trail 9 Grand Canyon National Park: South and North Rim trails Table of trails Rim Trail Shoshone Point Table Cape Royal Cliff Springs Trail Cape Final Trail Ken Patrick Trail Bright Angel Point Trail Transept Trail Widforss Trail Uncle Jim Trail 10 Grand Canyon National Park: Long distance routes Introduction Table of routes Boucher Trail to Hermit Trail Loop Hermit Trail to Bright Angel Trail Loop Cross-canyon North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail Grandview Trail to South Kaibab Trail Escalante Route: Tanner Trail to Grandview Trail Kanab Canyon to Thunder River Route 11 Visiting Zion National Park History Getting there Getting around Zion valley transportation Weather and seasons Lodging Camping Visitor services Zion National History Association Interpretative programmes Other facilities Time zones 12 Walking in Zion National Park Overnight permits and fees Day-walking Hiking the Narrows Shuttle services Groups Maps Weather and seasons Minimum impact Water sources Waymarking Flash floods Insects, reptiles and mammals 13 Zion National Park: Kolob Canyons trails Introduction Table of trails Timber Creek Overlook Middle Fork of Taylor Creek Trail La Verkin Creek Trail Kolob Arch Trail Willis Creek Route Hop Valley Trail 14 Zion National Park: West Rim trails Introduction Table of trails Connector Trail Wildcat Canyon Trail Northgate Peaks Trail West Rim Trail 15 Zion National Park: Zion Canyon trails Table of trails Gateway to the Narrows or Riverside Walk Up the Narrows to Orderville Canyon Weeping Rock Hidden Canyon and Observation Point Angels' Landing via Scout Lookout Emerald Pools: Lower, Middle and Upper Court of the Patriarchs Sand Bench Trail Par'us The Watchman 16 Zion National Park: East Rim Trails Table of trails Canyon Overlook Trail East Rim Trail East Boundary to Echo Canyon Trail East Mesa Trail Stave Spring Junction to Cable Mountain Trail Stave Spring Junction to Deertrap Mountain Trail 17 Zion National Park: South-west Desert trails Introduction Table of trails Chinle Trail Huber Wash 18 Zion National Park: Long distance trails Table of trails Across Zion via Hop Valley and the West Rim The Zion Narrows East Rim Trail via Cable and Deertrap Mountain 19 Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park Introduction Getting there Getting around Weather and seasons Lodging Camping Visitor services Interpretative programmes Bryce Canyon Natural History Association Other facilities Shuttle services Time zones 20 Walking in Bryce Canyon National Park Introduction Walking permits Groups Maps Weather and seasons Water sources Waymarking Flash floods Insects, reptiles and mammals 21 Bryce Canyon National Park: Canyon and Rim trails Table of trails Fairyland Loop Queens Garden Trail Navajo Loop Rim Trail Peekaboo Loop Bristlecone Loop Riggs Spring Loop 22 Bryce Canyon National Park: long distance and connecting trails Table of trails Under the Rim Trail Table of connecting trails Sheep Creek Connecting Trail Swamp Canyon Connecting Trail Whiteman Connecting Trail Aqua Connecting Trail Appendices A Long distance routes summary tables B Useful addresses C Local facilities D Author's favourite walks