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I have a large group permit for a cross-Tonto adventure Nov 18-21 (Fri - Mon). I've got a small group of die-hards from ABC joining me, but still have a few slots to fill. It could be dry, it could be cold, or it could be nice and wet and just cool and crisp. I guarantee it will be AWESOME, though!

Friday 11/18: Grandview Trailhead to Cottonwood Creek use area: 4.5 mi (-3500')

The Grandview/Horseshoe Mesa Trail is infamous for it's spectacular views, incredible trail construction and steep grade. It's a well used track, but still challenging to even battle-hardened canyon hikers. We hike past the mining camp on Horseshoe Mesa and camp below it along the (usually) flowing Cottonwood Creek.

Saturday 11/19: Cottonwood Creek to Grapevine use area: 5.5 mi (~level)

The Tonto Trail will lead us across the plateau, dodging in and out of side canyons for 5.5 miles. Although the hike is relatively level for the Grand Canyon, it has it's own ups and downs, and the remote nature of the area makes for a real special GC experience. We will camp near the Grapevine drainage where it is likely we will find water.

Sunday 11/20: Grapevine to Cremation use area: ~10-12.5 mi (~more than Saturday)

A long day of hiking, but we can choose to adjust it according to water availability and group energy. However, the more we hike today, the shorter our hike OUT tomorrow...

Monday 11/21: Cremation to South Kaibab Trailhead: 6.5 mi (+3550')

Hike over the Tonto to the South Kaibab Trail, then up and out. I've never hiked out on the SK before, but it is steeper and shorter than the Bright Angel. It also boasts much better scenery and lesser crowds. Weather should be perfect for a hike out of the big hole.

Total distance: 28.7mi

Wow... this sounds like a great trip. I am going to watch my schedule I would love to make this.

Yikes, that would be a lot of backpacking for me. I am doing Escalante Route with Joel and Belinda over Thanksgiving. Sure would like to do both, Wendy, but I don't think I have time. It is one of the "missing links" I have left to fill in.

Did I mention that this is going to be like the coolest backpacking trip ever? Or at least the coolest that's happening the weekend before Thanksgiving 2011...

I'm dying to go on this but the timing is just not right. I'll see if I can work it out but doubtful. The canyon is calling!

When is everyone driving up? Thursday night or Friday morning?

I think most of us will drive up Thursday night. It's too tight to drive and hike on Friday, particularly coming from Tucson.

sounds exciting, hiked many trails in the GC before but this one is a first for me

writelots wrote:I guarantee it will be AWESOME, though!

you got that write!

@writelots i agree it will be the coolest thing goin' on, since i'll be there too!

on occasion here, you mention that water may or may not be there: "usually" flowing, there will "likely" be water. do you have any more details on the amount of water that will be necessary for this trip? has anyone been in this area lately with details?

Will be Day hiking - Grandview > Tonto > SK this weekend. Stay tuned for reports.

Grandview to South Kaibab trailhead is app. 28 miles. The Tonto is fairly easy to hike but you will have a dry hike from the Tonto up to the S. Kaibab trailhead. This means you are carrying sufficient water to make it up app. 5 miles from the Tonto to the trailhead. 28 miles is one long Inner Canyon dayhike!!

coanbru wrote:Will be Day hiking - Grandview > Tonto > SK this weekend. Stay tuned for reports.

I was co-erced in doing that one this past August as a dayhike...although we ended going up BA. Grapevine canyon seemed like it went on forever. We did luck out with some cloud cover....This weekend should be primo for this though. I wish I didn't already have plans.

@cindyl

Water availability is often a gamble... We hoped for water at Copper Canyon when we did the Royal Arch Loop a few weeks ago; didn't get it! (even though it rained on us the night before!). Hope for the best and plan for the worse...

The weather for this weekend looks to be pretty awesome; you guys have fun!!

cindyl wrote:@writelots i agree it will be the coolest thing goin' on, since i'll be there too!

on occasion here, you mention that water may or may not be there: "usually" flowing, there will "likely" be water. do you have any more details on the amount of water that will be necessary for this trip? has anyone been in this area lately with details?

I just got back from 6 days at Phantom Ranch, and from the hikers and rangers there (as well as the water levels in other creeks) I think we're going to be fine for water. We'll have water for sure at Cottonwood and Grapevine, and everyone agreed that Lonetree would be good as well. That means we'll only have the one dry camp at Cremation worst case scenario. If there's good rain before hand we may even get lucky on that, but I'm not going to count on it.

Did this on 10/8, the only useable water was at Cottonwood and the spring on the east side of Grapevine, but with the cooler weather more may come back to the surface by mid-Nov. Lone Tree was dry at the trail crossing, we didn't venture downstream to check there. Hopefully you can get confirmation before then that Lone Tree is flowing again. Enjoy!

writelots wrote:I just got back from 6 days at Phantom Ranch

That's almost long enough to have your mail forwarded.

Got permission. I've been up & down Grandview. Looking forward to making the loop.

Permit's full now - thanks to all who are coming, and all those who have offered advice and water recommendations. I'm super psyched!

Wendy - I have a 2008 Toyota 4Runner and can take 3 people. I have a NPS Annual Pass to get us in. I have lots of extra equipment, HAZMail me and let me know what we need.

This sounds so great. Have fun!