Rim Trail - Maricopa Point to Powell Point - Grand Canyon National Park

The ½ mile paved trail between the shuttle stops at Maricopa Point and Powell Point is probably the least scenic of the entire Rim Trail. The trail is well back from the rim to avoid the contaminated 20 acre area that was once the site of the Orphan Lode Mine. Originally, the 1893 claim filed by Dan Hogan was for mining copper ore that was located about 500 feet below the rim. In 1906, the claim was patented and the title passed from the federal government to Hogan. This was nearly two years before President Theodore Roosevelt created the Grand Canyon National Monument in 1908 and almost 13 years before Grand Canyon National Park was established by Congress in 1919.

When Hogan realized he could make more money from tourism than from mining, he opened the Grand Canyon Trading Post in 1936. As business improved in the later years of the depression, he added cabins and a saloon. Over time, the facilities gained the names Kachina Lodge and Grand Canyon Inn. Both the mining and tourist businesses ceased operation sometime during World War II. In 1946, Hogan sold the property to Madeline Jacobs. Initially, Jacobs operated the tourist business, but showed no interest in the copper mine. However, geologists with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) discovered the mine was also the source of high grade uranium ore in 1951. As this was during the Cold War, the government's appetite for uranium to build more weapons was immense. Uranium ore was mined for thirteen years from 1956 until 1969 before most of the highest grade ore was mined. In 9162, Congress authorized mining beyond the boundaries of the claim into the park, but required that all mining cease and the original claim revert to the government in 1987. The park service has been working to remediate the site ever since. While all of the major surface structures have been removed, much work remains to make the site safe for future generations.

Although the trail distance between shuttle stops is only ½ mile, There is an additional 750 foot trail to Maricopa Point and a 500 foot trail Powell Point. Thus, the total walking distance between points is 0.7 miles.

Typical trail conditions on this segment of the Rim Trail

Power lines for monitoring equipment at the site of the closed Orphan Lode Mine

Old road into Orphan Lode Mine area

Maricopa Point below Vishnu Temple

Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park requires an entry fee of $35 per passenger vehicle for a 7-day pass. Any of the America the Beautiful passes may be used instead.

The park website is https://www.nps.gov/grca.