The Cape Final Trail begins about three miles north of the Angel's Window and Cape Royal Point on the east side of Cape Royal Road.  There is ample parking at the pull-off.

Cape Final Trail parking 7-16-2006 @ 9:29	Cape Final Parking lot 7-16-2006 @ 9:29	Cape Final trailhead 7-16-2006 @ 9:30

     The trail is extremely easy walking and begins a slow uphill grade.  It is obvious that fire has burned much of the ground cover and the bases of the trees, but I did not see any damage to the trees.

Cape Final Trail 7-16-2006 @ 9:34	Fire damage at base of trees 7-16-2006 @ 9:52

     In about a half-hour, I reach a "Y" in the trail.  The left branch leads to the first overlook into the inner canyon.  This was also the first time I found flowers.

First view of inner canyon 7-16-2006 @ 9:57	Fetid Marigold 7-16-2006 @ 9:59	Silverstem Lupine 7-16-2006 @ 9:59

     I reach the second "Y" in the trail in a few more minutes.  The inner canyon views at the left branch got significantly better.

Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:05	Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:05	Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:05

     From this point on, the trail changes from what must have been an old road to a pure footpath.  In another fifteen minutes, I reach another overlook with more great views.

Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:19	Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:19	Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:19

     In just a few more minutes, I reach the sign for Cape Final and the end of the trail.  Some minor scrambling up the rocks and I am at the point.  I really like the brass marker placed here by the U. S. Geological Survey in 1903 showing the elevation to be 7919 feet and the views of the inner Canyon are impressive too.  The Colorado River can be seen in the distance in the middle picture of the second set below.

Cape Final sign 7-16-2006 @ 10:21	Last scramble to the point 7-16-2006 @ 10:21	Geological Survey marker 7-16-2006 @ 10:24

Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:24	Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:24	Inner canyon views 7-16-2006 @ 10:24

     On the way back to the parking lot, I get one last set of flower pictures.

Fetid Marigold 7-16-2006 @ 10:41	Silverstem Lupine 7-16-2006 @ 10:42	Hemlock-Parsley 7-16-2006 @ 11:09

     This was a really pleasant day hike.  The trail is very easy walking with a total trip distance of four miles.  I made the round trip in about two hours.

MAIN INDEX | BACK TO TRIP REPORTS | BACK TO NORTH RIM DAY HIKES