Grand Canyon National Park - Royal Arch Loop Trail

The Royal Arch Loop trail in the Grand Canyon, begins and ends at the South Bass trailhead. The Royal Arch Loop is recommended for experienced canyon hikers only.

In order to hike this difficult trail you should have experience hiking in the Grand Canyon, appropriate wilderness skills, experience with proper rigging of rappel anchors, and be able to easily and safely rope down vertical cliffs. If you meet those qualifications, the Royal Arch Loop offers you a spectacular Grand Canyon adventure. If you are lacking the required skill and judgment this hike offers you about a million ways to get into serious trouble in a remote part of the Grand Canyon.

Take a few minutes to watch this informative video about the Royal Arch loop trail.

The Royal Arch Loop is considered by many to be the most difficult of the established south side routes. The rappel near the river and the lack of reliable water along the Tonto Trail combine with the remote setting to make this hike significantly more hazardous than other canyon trails. As previously stated, this route is for canyon experts only.

The required rope, webbing and hardware adds an additional burden to already heavily laden walkers. Plan on carrying a minimum of a 40 foot rappel rope, 20 feet of webbing for the anchor, additional webbing to tie a harness, and a locking carabineer.

The large and complex Aztec Amphitheater offers several challenging route possibilities for adventuresome canyon hikers. Point Huitzil and Apache Point offer more difficult rim-to-Esplanade routes and a few of the many arms of Royal Arch Creek go through to the bed of the drainage.

Trail Description of Royal Arch Loop

A cliff that can only be passed by a short rappel located near the midpoint of the route dictates that the Royal Arch Loop be walked in a clockwise direction, that is along the Esplanade Platform, down Royal Arch Creek and back to the South Bass Trail via the Tonto Trail.

Walk west from the South Bass Trail on the Esplanade at the top of the Supai Formation, passing Chemehuevi, Toltec, and Montezuma Points. South of Montezuma Point the route starts down the long, eastern arm of upper Royal Arch Creek.

Just before the eastern arm joins the main stem of the drainage hikers are presented with an impassable pouroff. This obstacle can be circumvented on either side but it's safer on the right (north). Follow a series of ledges along the north side of the canyon to a talus slope and descend to the bed of the drainage below the fall. If you chose to bypass the pouroff on the left side prepare for a thrilling traverse along an exposed ledge only a few inches wide. Both bypasses are cairned at the top and bottom of the pouroff so choose wisely.

Conditions ease somewhat after making the turn north into the main stem of Royal Arch Creek. In wet years pools of water might impede progress in the Redwall gorge and there is plenty of scrambling around to pass minor obstacles, but normally this section offers something like hassle free hiking.

Hikers descending the drainage to see the natural bridge should note the large cairns that mark where the route climbs away from the creek on the east side before continuing down the watercourse. Royal Arch itself is spectacular, Grand Canyon's largest natural bridge. A huge fall below Royal Arch presents tantalizing views down into Elves Chasm, but cuts off any possibility of additional progress downcanyon.

Retrace your steps about ½ mile to the cairns marking the trail up through the Tapeats Formation and follow the path north and east to the top of the infamous rappel that gives passage to the Colorado River. The trail gradually descends toward the river and just short of the unnamed drainage that falls below Toltec Point the route drops over a little 20 foot cliff. Rig an anchor worth betting your life on and rappel. Beware of old webbing or rope of unknown origin.

The rest of the way to the shoreline is steep, but straightforward, coming to the river at the mouth of the Toltec Point drainage. It would be a pity to come this far and not detour downriver to see Elves Chasm.

This little nook is a rare gem and worth the time and effort. Follow the immediate shoreline or take the trail across the slope above the river about 1.5 rough, rocky miles downcanyon. The climbing becomes increasingly difficult as one follows Elves Chasm up from the river so be careful. This idyllic oasis has been the scene of several gruesome accidents.

The main trail between the Toltec Point drainage and Garnet Canyon starts upcanyon about 100 yards above the river. It is possible to walk the shoreline as well but eventually this route is forced up to join the upper trail. The trail gradually gains elevation and finally tops the Tapeats Sandstone at the mouth of Garnet.

Garnet Canyon marks the western end of the Tonto Trail. Follow the Tonto Trail upcanyon. Most of the side canyons are small, but Copper and Bass Canyons require significant detours to cross. The Tonto Trail intersects the South Bass Trail in the bed of Bass Canyon. Climb the South Bass to the rim to complete this classic Grand Canyon loop hike.