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 - $799 per person
4 Day - $999 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 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 join 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. Enjoy time exploring the
Cave of the Domes, checking out inspiring view points and taking in an amazing sunset.
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