Length: 5 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

National Park: Grand Canyon National Park - North Rim

Journal: "Heather's Grand Birthday"

**Kid Friendly Hike**

From the north entrance to Grand Canyon National Park go 10 miles south on AZ 67 to the Kaibab Trailhead.

Trail Description:

The start of this trail is just disgusting. To get to the Uncle Jim Trail, you must first hike a mile on the Ken Patrick Trail. The Ken Patrick Trail is also used as a mule trail, so the entire length of the trail you are dodging mule-piss puddles and piles of donkey dung. In some areas there is a hiker trail a few feet above the formal one so you can utilize that to preserve your boots and your nose. The Ken Patrick Trail itself, follows along the edge of the canyon rim, with some nice views. It has some moderate ups and downs during its first mile.

After one mile you reach the junction with the Uncle Jim Trail, which is mule free. The trail drops moderately for 0.5 miles to a drainage and then climbs back out, switch backing along the way. Near the top of the climb, you reach an unsigned junction that is the start of the loop. You can go either direction; we chose to go to the right.

Now the trail flattens out as it crosses through the center of the peninsula leading to Uncle Jim Point. The trail is well maintained and the going is easy. The trail ends at the junction with the other half of the loop at Uncle Jim Point. There is an area for picnicking here and the views of the canyon are good. You can see the Kaibab trail switchbacks, Bright Angel Point and Roaring Springs Canyon.

For the return trip take the right fork and you will follow closer to the edge of the rim. Some nice views here as well. We also saw a pheasant. The trail is easy and meanders through the woods to the end of the loop. Retrace your steps back up to the end of the Uncle Jim Trail and follow the Ken Patrick Trail back to the trailhead (then clean your boots).