North Bass Trail Photoset • BiFrost • 2020-10-30 • HikeArizona.COM

North Bass Trail, AZ

	2020-10-30
	36 by BiFrost

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North Bass Trail

Northwest, AZ

North Bass Trail

Northwest, AZ

Backpack	32.43 Miles	9,464 AEG

Backpack	32.43 Miles	3 Days
	9,464 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

	chumley	John9L
	slowandsteady

Backpack trip into North Bass from Swamp Point. We met John and Chumley at the trailhead the night before and car camped. Next morning we started down North Bass with quick stop at the cabin in Muav Saddle. From there it’s the descent to Whites Canyon down some switchbacks which were in good shape and nice trail. Unfortunately, it didn’t last and the trail drops into and follows the canyon. The canyon was brushy and mostly boulder hopping until it reaches top of the redwall. I always enjoy redwall breaks and this one was very cool but steep. The route runs along a narrow ledge wedged between redwall above and the canyon bottom several hundred feet below. Eventually we made the canyon bottom and took a break.

From there it’s more boulder hopping following the canyon bottom until we reached a chock stone and narrows. We took our time on the narrows and dropped packs to checkout some off shoots in the narrows. It was also the best water we had seen along the way so filtered a few liters. Continuing down canyon we opted to not take the bypass and instead stay in the canyon. It was slower going especially with backpacks but well worth the effort to see this section. Eventually Whites Canyon exists at the confluence with Shinumo Creek where we camped. Temps were pleasant for this great campsite on Shinumo Creek our camp for two nights.

Next day we all ventured down Shinumo Creek with the goal of getting to the Colorado. First, we checked out Shinumo Creek to the falls which is just before the Colorado. We could actually see the river but the falls prevents access without ropes. After checking out the falls we took the bypass over to the Colorado and dropped down to very nice beach at the base of the bypass. Took a lunch break here and took a dip in the river. As we were leaving a boat crew showed up so we talked to them for a few minutes before heading for other beaches on the river. Chumley headed back because he wanted to check out Shinumo Creek upstream of our camp but the rest of us continued to the other beaches on the Colorado. I personally wanted to see the beaches across from South Bass just to make that connection since we have been on the other side several times. We checked out total of 3 beaches before heading back to camp. We took the bigger bypass back to Shinumo Creek which was about 500 foot climb but good trail. Back at camp we had another relaxing night to chill before next days climb out.

Next morning the hard work began but we did take the bypass on the way out and have decent trail for the start. Eventually the bypass drops back down to Whites Canyon and the rock hopping ensues. This is a long stretch in the canyon especially with a backpack but eventually we reached the bottom of the redwall and took a snack break to fuel up for the climb. Redwall break is very steep but still fun considering the effort and took another break at the top. From there we dropped back into Whites Canyon hiking up to the base of the final climb. The final climb out is long but it’s at least on trail so we were done with boulder hopping. Still everyone was pretty spent from the exit climb out of the canyon. We all enjoyed a beverage and some snacks at the car before heading for a car camp spot.

Overall North Bass was the toughest hike out of the canyon so far. I think it was mostly because the trail is more of a route in many spots especially when it follows the canyon bottom. I’ll echo what John mentioned and that it would be better to have an extra day for exit to break up the hike. Next time

	Muav Canyon	Light flow	Light flow
	light flow clear water

	Queen Anne Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	some clear water

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