Grand Canyon - Grandview Loop
Hike
 This inspiring hike takes you down the Grandview Trail and around Horseshoe Mesa. Along the way you will camp next to rarely seen creeks and explore lush side canyons. The Tonto trail provides spectacular vistas into the canyon’s vast expanses. The horizon is filled with impressive monuments including Vishnu Temple, Wotan’s Throne and on the Tonto Trail you’ll feel like you can touch them. Other highlights on the trail include looking into the depths of Hance Creek, below the Tapeats Sandstone, and into the metamorphic rocks of the inner gorge and camping in deep side canyons near quiet creeks that provide views into the vastness of the Grand Canyon.
Type of Trip: Backpacking/Camping
Dates:
March - May, September - December
Number of Days: 3 - 4 Days
Total Miles: 18-24 miles depending on the number of days
Elevation Gain Loss:
4000ft
Difficultly: Moderately Strenuous
Orientation Time: 4pm the day before
Orientation Location: Flagstaff – at our store (1051 S. Milton Ave - Suite F)
Trip Departure: 6am
Trip Return: 4pm
(B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner
Cost:
3 Day - $755 per person
4 Day - $975 per person
** This trip can be customized around different starting point and times**
 Hiking down the Grandview Trail is like going back in history. Follow the same path that miners in the 1880’s forged with their burrows in search for the copper buried on Horseshoe Mesa. Spend some time exploring the relics left behind on Horseshoe Mesa, enjoy lunch, and continue down to Cottonwood Creek for our first night in the canyon. On our second day we circumnavigate the mesa walking on the Tonto trail and taking in the amazing expanses of Grand Canyon. The night is spent camping along the flowing Hance Creek surrounded by cottonwood trees and other riparian delights. The hike back up to Horseshoe Mesa takes you by Miner’s Spring, an amazing grotto tucked away from the main trail. And in the final hours of our hike we retrace our path up the Grandview Trail.
Itinerary - The final itinerary may change due to weather or any unforeseen circumstance(s).
Day 1:
Depart Flagstaff at 6am for an enjoyable drive through the largest Ponderosa Forest in the world before arriving at the South Rim. We will hike 3.5 miles down to Horseshoe Mesa where we will eat our lunch, and enjoy a well earned break. We will then continue down to Cottonwood Creek on the west side of Horseshoe Mesa. This is where we will spend our first night below the rim. Cottonwood Creek provides a refreshing place to rest up. The creek polishes beautiful slick rock into narrows downstream and presents excellent afternoon exploration. This area was also home to ancient life; as you scan the cliffs with your eyes- see if you can pick out any of the stacked rocks. 6 miles (L) (D)
Day 2:
After breakfast prepare
for a full day of
exploration. We will
pack up camp and travel
on the Tonto Trail
around Horseshoe Mesa.
The hike will include
unbelievable vistas into
the vast Grand Canyon,
and glances into the
depths of the inner
gorge. Drop below the
Tonto plateau and find
camp along Hance Creek.
Settle in the shade of
cottonwood trees and
soak your feet in the
cool water, or do a
little exploring along
the creek. As the sun
goes down enjoy the
changing colors on the
cliffs that surround
you, and watch as the
stars slowly appear in
the night’s sky.
6 miles (B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
After packing up camp we begin our ascent out of Hance Creek, up toward Horseshoe Mesa. We stop and rest in the shade of miner’s spring- a secret oasis off the main trail. The climb continues as we rejoin the Grandview trail on horseshoe Mesa and retrace our path to Grandview Point. The views back towards Coronado Butte and the Sinking Ship, and the meandering Colorado River will be etched in your memory forever. 6 miles (B) (L)
Add a fourth day and spend the night on Horseshoe Mesa. Spend your time exploring the Cave of the Domes, checking out inspiring view points and taking in an amazing sunset.
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