One of our team has done Bright Angel four times to the river and back and pretty much says it sucks. He (and 8-10 others I talked to during the the trip) say the added miles aren't worth it and the views aren't as great as South Kaibab. Trail conditions on South Kaibab are very good, probably one of the best sections of trail I've been on. Parts on North Kaibab aren't as nice near the top, but I've been on a lot worse. The section that I was most displeased with was a long, sandy, steep, uphill slog that reminded me of trying to hike up a sand dune. Then again it was in the last 15 minutes of the hike.
Bright Angel does have water available and South Kaibab does not.
If I remember my trail research, Bright Angel TH is lower than South Kaibab and longer making for an easier time. In theory anyway. The only way for me to comment properly is to go out and do it myself.
There was never a section of trail that was bad enough to make me regret wearing old running shoes instead of my boots. In the past I've tried shoes in Kings Canyon and regretted it.
Overall it was one of my favorite hikes ever. I'm glad I was able to go get it done with almost no conditioning hikes this year. It's a toughie, but very doable, at least at this time of year. I wouldn't want to be anywhere on that trail during real heat.......................................DUG
