The Tipoff
The last shade before the river on the South Kaibab Trail
About
The Tipoff sits about 4 miles down the South Kaibab Trail from the South Rim, roughly 2 miles above the Colorado River, at the point where the trail crosses the Tonto Platform and meets the Tonto Trail. It's the last real landmark before the descent steepens for the final push to the river and Black Bridge, and the view from here is wide open in every direction — the trail up top runs a narrow ridge with no shade, so by the time hikers reach the Tipoff they've already felt the exposure this trail is known for.
What's there
- A shelter with shade screens and benches, built in 2019 specifically because so many hikers were arriving overheated on this stretch
- Two cisterns of non-potable water for cooling off (not for drinking)
- Pit toilets and an emergency phone
As of this writing the South Kaibab Trail is open its full length, from the trailhead through the Tipoff down to Black Bridge and Phantom Ranch. There's no reliable drinking water along this route, so anyone continuing past the Tipoff needs to be carrying what they'll need for the rest of the descent.
Best Time to Hike Here
The trail up top runs a narrow ridge with no shade, so by the time hikers reach the Tipoff they've already felt the exposure this trail is known for — an early start matters especially in warmer months.
Trail Tips
- A shelter with shade screens and benches, built in 2019 specifically because so many hikers were arriving overheated on this stretch.
- Two cisterns of non-potable water for cooling off are available here, not for drinking, plus pit toilets and an emergency phone.
- There's no reliable drinking water along this route, so anyone continuing past the Tipoff needs to be carrying what they'll need for the rest of the descent.
Getting to The Tipoff
Descend the South Kaibab Trail about 4 miles from the South Rim. As of this writing the South Kaibab Trail is open its full length, from the trailhead through the Tipoff down to Black Bridge and Phantom Ranch.
What to Expect at The Tipoff
The Tipoff sits about 4 miles down the South Kaibab Trail from the South Rim, roughly 2 miles above the Colorado River, at the point where the trail crosses the Tonto Platform and meets the Tonto Trail. It's the last real landmark before the descent steepens for the final push to the river and Black Bridge.
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