Comanche Point, AZ

Comanche Point, which is several miles east of Desert View, was originally called "Bissel Point" by G.W. James after an official of the Atchison-Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company. The name was officially changed in 1932 to venerate the Comanche Indians, who were a tribe of Plains Indians and part of the Shoshone People. Pueblo Indians, who inhabited the same area feared the Comanche. (Grand Canyon Hiking Adventures, Wayne Tomasi, pg. 308)


Comanche Point juts out about 1/2 way across the Cape Solitude Plateau's western face can easily be seen from the Desert View tourist area. This is not a very well known or popular area, but it appears on most Grand Canyon hike maps and can be accomplished as a "tough" day hike. Chances are GREAT that you will have the whole plateau to yourself.The principle hike to the point follows the Cape Solitude road (now closed to motorized or even bicycle traffic), but according to Tomasi, stout hikers could follow the west rim the entire way. I would highly recommend a good topo or GPS or either method.

Cape Solitude Road north (really just jeep trail) is washed out and bypassed in many areas, and it's hard to believe a vehicle ever made it out to Cape Solitude. This double track seems to fade away in many places, and some basic route finding may be necessary. About 2.25 miles north on the road, there is a split/junction currently marked with a large cairn. Heading right (east), one would continue onward towards Cape Solitude (as well as other possible westerly canyon routes that would lead towards Comanche). However, heading left (west) is the generally accepted way to Comanche Point. This westerly road briefly dips back south then curves again to the west before totally fizzling out in the middle of pasture that has a few old fence posts (around the 3.25-mile mark). From here, one can follow the drainage that heads north, and after curving around another mile, will junction with another large canyon to the east. This area is considered the "saddle" and is distinct. Once at this saddle, you can walk to the edge of a canyon opening with beautiful views of the north-east Grand Canyon. To get to Comanche Point, continue climbing roughly 600+ vertical feet up the side of the west slope, and then after a false small-summit to the southwest, you will eventually top out at Comanche. There was a large rock cairn with a register box covered with an old antler and spinal bones as of this writing.

Ground camping spots at the saddle area are few and far between; however, small, less rocky patches can be found under plentiful Junipers. Camping at the Point itself, AFAIK is allowed, but the ground is extremely rocky, and the small trees are spread out too far for hammocks.

Serious Canyon hikers should add this magnificent view to repertoire!!!

Permit: Permit needed for area SA9. The area is not very popular, and permits should be easy to procure.

2012-08-31 squatpuke