Route Editor
Route Scout
vibrating and thrumming by Hippy  History Hack canyon is said to be named after Haskell Jolly, who was known to locals as "Hack" and owned a nearby spring and ranch. The Hack Cyn Mine is in upper Hack Canyon around 5.7 miles from Sunshine Road. This was a copper mine in WWI, there is still evidence of a tramway used to haul ore to the rim of the canyon for transport. "From the Hack Mine, 1,100 tons of uranium ore was shipped in 1951-52." (Quote from Tucson newspaper article from 2015) this mine and others in the area were closed and "reclaimed" in the 1990's. Tailings and such were bulldozed to fill in any open mineshafts. A few power lines still grace the area near Hack Cyn Mine and I don't recommend camping near them if you can avoid it. The lines were vibrating and thrumming and causing our hair to stand on end as of Jan 2018 and BLM folks said they'd "send someone out to look at it". Uh huh. Hike Once at the actual Trailhead you will literally have driven the first few miles INTO upper Hack Canyon. This road is super neat because you enter the canyon and travel down through the Kaibab Limestone, Toroweap formation and Coconino Sandstone! Your hike begins already down in the Hermit Shale! If your vehicle has made it all the way down to the trailhead you'll probably be surrounded by cows, cow pies and fencing. The BLM and Kanab Creek Wilderness sign awaits your attention and a register is present for your autograph. There is a gate immediately behind these signs (see photos) please close it and latch the chain when you're through! (There are enough cows on either side) A very obvious use path takes off and you can follow this 80% of the time. After the first few miles you'll drop below the Hermit Shale further into the creekbed and down into the Suapi Layers (Esplanade Sandstone, Wescogame Formation, Manakacha Formation and Watahomigi Formation) On this trip I didn't exactly pay attention how far down into the Supai group the trail actually goes but at least the first two or three formations! The creek abruptly widens and spills out into Kanab Creek after 6.69 miles of happy hiking from the register. From there one may easily access all sorts of backpacking areas via Kanab Creek or just hopping up on the Ranger Trail below JumpUp Point. To return to your vehicle you just head right back up Hack Canyon creekbed. If the creekbed is flowing somehow there are multiple "high pass" routes you can spot along your way down the creekbed. Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found. One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
