Old Hance Trail 11/11/12
Posted: Nov 03 2012 11:13 am
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).
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).
