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Hello, looking for 1 or 2 hikers to join in on a Tanner-Escalante-New Hance hike over 2 nights, first week in June.

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Plan is: Mather on 6/3, then O/N at Cardenas off the Tanner on 6/4, Red Canyon (New Hance) O/N on 6/5, then hiking up the New Hance and top-out on 6/6.

I've hiked all the other South Rim trails, except Escalante... Input, suggestions, trail descriptions, warnings would be welcomed!

its gonna be real toasty down there

Phel Hyker wrote:I've hiked all the other South Rim trails, except Escalante... Input, suggestions, trail descriptions, warnings would be welcomed!

Have hiked this section 3-4 times.... On my most recent trip, December '14 I noticed that the trail is in about as good a shape as I have seen it. Of course on Tanner no water until the river - take lots - the last 2 miles on Tanner to the river will seem like 4 - and then the 2-ish miles over to Cardenas is shade-less in June and you are heading west-ish... HOT! Suggest a Chrome-Dome or equivalent AND a sombrerro. Pay attention at 75-Mile, some have gone wayward instead of dropping down into the canyon - there is also a steep shortcut down into the canyon that shaves about a mile. Papago slide is getting more worn in and is less a hazard than before. After that, except for the climb out you are home-free!

I would suggest that you add a day to your itinerary and enjoy yourself some.

I agree. Add one more day. I personally could not do it in June, it's much, much too hot and I'd get sick. But I know some people have a higher tolerance for heat.

Doing this hike in June:

1) Bring water, lots of water - fill up at every opportunity - which is limited to Colorado River Access only.
2) Start early, real early each day - take every opportunity for shade - which is limited to likely cliff shadows and 75 mile slot
3) Write a will leaving your earthly belongings to HikeAZ for when you die in 110 degree heat.

Your comments are all awesome and really appreciated! Thank you! I actually have hundreds of Canyon Miles and years of Canyon hiking experience under my belt. The heat of Summer is not my favorite season, but I would rather be hot than cold! Additionally, I intentionally train and trail run in the Phoenix Summer heat exactly for this kind of backpacking adventure. I have been up and down Tanner, Beamer, as well as New Hance, just not the Escalante portion.

Can anyone tell me, what is the cliff exposure level like, compared to the Boucher and the Beamer trails? More? Less? Similar? For how many miles does any cliff exposure go? Other hazards, like climbing or descending, or that need 50/50 cord?

If I could extend my hike by another night, what locations would be suggested?

Thanks! I really appreciate fellow hikers' experiences and perspectives!

Ken

We are doing Tanner/Escalante but coming out Grandview in April. Looking forward to the Papago Wall..

The escalante route isn't really more exposed than the Beamer trail. Glad you know what you are getting into. There is a bit more scrambling and it goes a bit slower in places. Your itinerary sounds reasonable in terms of distance and where you are camping - the first day will be the hardest I think because you will hit the river and have to scramble over the dunes in the heat. Pay attention to cairns and the key points:
-the spot you leave Cardenas beach area, the key point you drop down into Escalante Canyon, and the point you drop into 75 mile. There is the papago wall to scramble up and the papago slide to scramble down.
If you have ever climbed in a gym or outdoors the Papago wall isn't much. If you've never done those things I suppose it can be intimidating and some people might want to haul their packs up with a rope if they are not good at climbing/scrambling.

@Mick
I've been across the Tonto from New Hance to Grandview, I really enjoyed it! Have fun!

@nonot
Thank you for that info!