Type of Hike : Out and Back
Length: 3 Miles round trip
Difficulty: Challenging
Terrain: Canyon ledges, Rock scrambling, Difficult route finding
Elevation Gain: 340 feet one way. 680 feet total up and down
Dog Friendly: No – They are allowed on leash, but ill-advised.
Park Pass/Permit Required: National Parks or Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Pass
Directions to the Trailhead
Take Lees Ferry Road off of Scenic Highway 89A and travel 1.3 miles. The trailhead is at the pull out on your left. You can access both upper and lower Cathedral Wash from this parking area. There are informational signs at the trailhead that will teach you about the local geology that are worth a read.
Cathedral Wash Trail Hike Description
An epic five-star adventure through a stunning canyon to a riffle on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. This hike starts off easy and straightforward for the first half mile, but things get more challenging as you approach a thirty-foot horseshoe-shaped cliff. While many hikers turn back here, the more adventurous can continue, navigating through difficult route finding and moderate scrambling sections.
Expect numerous “sucker trails” that lead to dead ends, requiring some backtracking. If you find yourself in a particularly precarious situation, it’s likely that you’ve been misled by one of these false paths and should retrace your steps to find a safer route. Despite the challenges, there are no deadly scrambles; any particularly sketchy sections can usually be avoided by retracing your steps to find an easier path.
Upon successfully descending the canyon, you’ll be rewarded with the refreshing waters of the Colorado River and small sandy beaches. The area is excellent for birding, with abundant wildlife.
Fishing is quite good when the water is clear, and bait is permitted in this section of the river. Additionally, if you’re into rock climbing, you’ll find some fantastic boulders suitable for boulder problems at the canyon’s base.
Exercise extreme caution if hiking during the monsoon season (July – September), as flash floods are a significant threat. Start your hike early and monitor the weather closely to ensure a safe adventure.