Looking for backpacking partner, Grand Cyn 13-18 April
Posted: Mar 04 2009 10:45 pm
I have a permit for a South Bass - Elves Chasm hike April 13-18. My planned cohiker had to cancel and I need to fill the spot; can take 1 or 2 hikers besides myself. If you have backpacked in the Grand Canyon and are interested in this hike, please respond and I will share details of the itinerary and my experience.
Elves' Chasm can be done as a loop hike - down via the Royal Arch route and up via S Bass - if you know enough rock climbing to rappel down a 20 ft cliff, but I don't so I am doing it as an out-and-back from S Bass. Summary itinerary: Day 1 S Bass to the Colorado River. Then 1 1/2 days west across Tonto Trail to Toltec Beach. 2nd night has potential to be a dry camp but we reach the river before lunch on day 3. Rest of day 3 and all of day 4 = R&R and exploring, highlight = half-day hike out/back to Elves Chasm. Days 5-6, reverse route except do not need to descend to the river as there is a shorter connection from Tonto Trail to the S Bass. 5th night is dry camp. Can stash water on days 1 and/or 2 in places that greatly limit the amount of extra to be lugged from Toltec Beach on day 5. The 4 full hiking days are in the range 8 - 10 mi. (Last day hike-out is about 9 mi.)
South Bass is visited by fewer hikers than S Rim trails further east because part of the road to the trailhead really needs a jeep or similar vehicle. The transport for this hike is already arranged.
Elves' Chasm can be done as a loop hike - down via the Royal Arch route and up via S Bass - if you know enough rock climbing to rappel down a 20 ft cliff, but I don't so I am doing it as an out-and-back from S Bass. Summary itinerary: Day 1 S Bass to the Colorado River. Then 1 1/2 days west across Tonto Trail to Toltec Beach. 2nd night has potential to be a dry camp but we reach the river before lunch on day 3. Rest of day 3 and all of day 4 = R&R and exploring, highlight = half-day hike out/back to Elves Chasm. Days 5-6, reverse route except do not need to descend to the river as there is a shorter connection from Tonto Trail to the S Bass. 5th night is dry camp. Can stash water on days 1 and/or 2 in places that greatly limit the amount of extra to be lugged from Toltec Beach on day 5. The 4 full hiking days are in the range 8 - 10 mi. (Last day hike-out is about 9 mi.)
South Bass is visited by fewer hikers than S Rim trails further east because part of the road to the trailhead really needs a jeep or similar vehicle. The transport for this hike is already arranged.