Old Hance Trail 11/11/12

[Dave1]

Join me on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11th, for a challenging hike down Civil War Veteran Captain John Hance's first trail into the Grand Canyon. We will also attempt to locate the Old Grandview Trail.

The plan: Start from the Grandview Trailhead at 6:30 am. Head west along Highway 64 for 5 miles to the Old Hance TH. Descend from the rim, mostly off-trail, for approximately 4 miles until reaching the junction of Hance Creek and the Tonto Trail. Head west along the well-traveled Tonto Trail to Horseshoe Mesa (we can make a pit stop at Miner's/Page Spring if needed) where we'll pick up the Grandview Trail. Once we reach the Coconino Saddle along Grandview, we'll try to tackle the Old Grandview Trail.

Warning: I have hiked Old Hance and am confident I can get a small group of strong hikers down it without too much trouble but I have no experience with the Old Grandview Trail.

Some other options: 1.We can take a detour on the way to OH TH and check out Sinking Ship, the ruins or just Sinking Ship Saddle. 2.We can continue down Hance Creek, past the Tonto to the Colorado River at Sockdolager Rapids. This may include some dicey downclimbs and by-passes.

Distance will be about 16 miles with about 4500' of AEG, more if we decide to explore further. Please be prepared for off-trail hiking, route finding, scrambling, bushwacking, and boulder hopping, at an efficient pace. You are responsible for your own safety! Please carry an adequate water supply!

I'd like to keep this to a small group, maybe 5 or 6 (if my past success at organizing a group hike is an indicator, it will be far, far less). We can discuss car pooling options from Phoenix. And also setting up a car shuttle if we have enough (or any) people to avoid the walk along HW64 (although its not that bad).

[John9L]

I would love to join you for this hike but I'm already committed to the Reavis trip. Have a great hike and maybe we can get together for this in the future sometime.

[big_load]

This is tempting, but probably more than I want to bite off next week. Have fun!

[Dave1]

@ John9L Sorry John, I was going to do this on the 4th but I got lazy

[PrestonSands]

Snow and a big temperature drop forecasted for this weekend.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... tType=text

[outdoor_lover]

@ John9L Sorry John, I was going to do this on the 4th but I got lazy

I love your definition of lazy. 24 miles with 6000' of AEG....will you teach me how to be lazy, Dave???

[Dave1]

Snow and a big temperature drop forecasted for this weekend.

The snow probably won't accumulate much below the rim. You'll be surprised how fast we'll drop in elevation. We could always skip the Old Grandview part. I'm more concerned with the chance of rain.

[big_load]

You'll be surprised how fast we'll drop in elevation.

More like dismayed. I can't help thinking "I'm going to have to retake this elevation later".

[PLC92084]

I can't help thinking "I'm going to have to retake this elevation later".

I found myself thinking the very same thing when we did New Hance...