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Oak Flat Loop
The Oak Flat Loop allows hikers to climb below the South Rim without having to commit to long, river-bound trails.
Plan Around Oak Flat Loop
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Oak Flat Loop Details
The Oak Flat Loop allows hikers to climb below the South Rim without having to commit to long, river-bound trails. The trail begins in a dense aspen thicket that slowly begins to thin as the trail nears the canyon rim. It's a pretty upland trail with pockets of wildflowers and the occasional glimpse of a deer. As the trees begin to reveal views of the canyon walls across the river, the trail suddenly plunges down a long, steep straightway leading 350 feet below the rim and back into a coniferous forest. Shortly after reaching its lowest point, the trail heads west and gradually climbs back to the rim. The ascent to the rim is well designed, having been built by the Student Conservation Association, and is not as strenuous as you might expect. Watch for the unmarked spur to a small overlook from where there is a secret, stunning view down the length of the canyon. The Oak Flat Loop trailhead is found near the South Rim Visitor Center.
Difficulty
High
Distance
2 miles
Estimated time
1.25 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Oak Flat Loop
Compare nearby parks around Oak Flat Loop when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Oak Flat Loop
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Oak Flat Loop while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Gunnison Route
The Gunnison Route is the inner canyon route most taken on the South Rim, but it is by no means easy.
0.0 mi away
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Carved over a span of two million years by the Gunnison River, the Black Canyon in western Colorado is a "vertical wilderness."
0.0 mi away
South Rim Visitor Center
The South Rim Visitor Center is open daily, year-round and provides exhibits on the park's flora, fauna, geology, and history.
0.1 mi away
Gunnison Point Overlook
Perched over a long, gentle curve in the Gunnison River, Gunnison Point offers some spectacular views of the canyon.
0.2 mi away
Uplands Trail
Although the Uplands Trail doesn't have any big canyon views, it is nonetheless a pretty, quiet hike through the higher elevations of Black Canyon.
