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Grapevine Creek - Grand Canyon - 2 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 4.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Nov 11 2022
avatar

 Routes 5
 Photos 435
 Triplogs 119

female
 Joined Mar 26 2022
 Flagstaff, AZ
Grapevine Creek - Grand CanyonNorthwest, AZ
Grapevine Creek - Grand Canyon
Northwest, AZ
Backpack avatar Nov 11 2022
shelby147 • Triplogs 119
Backpack30.00 Miles 7,500 AEG
Backpack30.00 Miles3 Days         
7,500 ft AEG28 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Old Grandview Trail - Lower
Grandview Trail
Partners none no partners
Made a trip out to Grapevine to scout the redwall route that Harvey describes. Overall, a very enjoyable trip! In addition to the beaten path we visited the river via old grandview and the narrows below the tonto crossing.

Day 1: we got a cold and early start down Grandview. There is snow and ice to the coconino already. At horseshoe mesa we encountered a large group also heading to Grapevine - that surprised me. We were quite far ahead of them when we reached the old grandview cairn and dropped our heavy packs.

The lower section of grandview is in great shape for being so obscure! It's well cairned and follows a very natural break through the tapeats. It seemed illogical to go over the first saddle in the basement rocks but it was clearly indicated. Down here we had a great view upriver and at the pouroffs in Cottonwood. We saw rafts floating all in a line down the river - reminded me of ducklings. The trail braids a bit before crossing a ridge and heading down a narrow chute. I wouldn't have gone here without indication - it looks so improbable. Then over another small saddle and down a long ravine to the river. Some loose footing but nowhere that feels like you're about to fall over a cliff. We had a short break at the river and the return hike was faster than the way down. On the way up I bonked my head on an overhanging branch... guess I shouldn't wear baseball caps in places like this (it isn't the first time). I'm fine, though!

We hiked the rest of the way in to the camps on the eastern arm of Grapevine. Turns out the big group are high schoolers on a school trip doing a big section of Tonto. At camp we had mice coming under the vestibule (we were snacking in the tent). This was not pleasant but stopped (I think) after we hung the food. A bit surprising as I thought this was an unpopular camp.

Day 2: we had a leisurely morning before starting up Grapevine. The tapeats narrows are beautiful! We could follow the creek for almost a mile before a chockstone and some falls forced us out of the bed. It's easy to find the exit. We were able to drop back in and easily follow the creek for a while in the shale too. We found some stone structures around here... 2 circles about knee-high and maybe 10ft in diameter. Not sure what they're from.

The cottonwoods were turning in the creek and beautiful. But the going got very slow when we encountered Grapevine's namesake. We stuck to low game trails which weren't great. Around here we found a dead ram with big horns. The creekbed clears up again near the redwall. Below the fall we easily located the redwall route on the east side. We ascended a boulder field to the amphitheater then circled around to our approach. I scrambled high enough to look over the fall - maybe 1/3 of the way up. But I'd left my pack below and wasn't in the mood to scramble all the way up then back down without a spotter. On the way down I took a wrong turn and ended up downclimbing while straddling an agave. Not my happiest moment. There was a bit of a game trail on the talus here and the scrambling was probably class 3 so I definitely want to return and connect to the trail above.

On our hike back down we followed a ridge west of the creek to avoid the grapevine tangles and other vegetation. Game trails and footing were much better here. Back at camp, we explored the tapeats narrows below Tonto. My friend climbed up the pouroff into the west arm of grapevine but I'm not much of a climber and I couldn't get up.

Day 3: another relatively late start. Clouds started rolling in and making pretty light when we were in Cottonwood. As we ascended we watched snow start to fall below the north rim. We got flurries then were briefly enveloped in gentle snow above the coconino. On the rim I watched the clouds part to the west. There was a little bit of a cloud inversion, which I've been wanting to see in the canyon for ages. What a gorgeous finale to the weekend.
 
May 09 2022
avatar

 Routes 5
 Photos 435
 Triplogs 119

female
 Joined Mar 26 2022
 Flagstaff, AZ
Grapevine Creek - Grand CanyonNorthwest, AZ
Grapevine Creek - Grand Canyon
Northwest, AZ
Backpack avatar May 09 2022
shelby147 • Triplogs 119
Backpack30.00 Miles 6,500 AEG
Backpack30.00 Miles3 Days         
6,500 ft AEG25 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Tonto Trail: Grandview Trail to South Kaibab
Grandview Trail
Partners none no partners
Caught some cool weather and went down from Grandview to explore lower Grapevine creek and visit the Grapevine beach camp. Grapevine creek was gorgeous - flowing water, green vegetation, and so many tadpoles. The ravine I scrambled over to access the beach was challenging with an overnight pack. Lots of loose talus, some big chockstones, and thorny plants. It was a windy night so of course, sand all over my gear for the rest of the trip. Best sunset I've ever seen from the river, though!

On my way out on day 2 I explored up the eastern arm of Grapevine until reaching the top of the tapeats. Looks fairly well traveled there. Water at the Grapevine/ Tonto crossing was shallow and green, I preferred the water about 20 mins above/ below. This day was hot so I hustled over to Cottonwood without my planned detour on lower Old Grandview to rest in the shade. Here, I nearly couldn't sleep for the frogs. Then it was an early hike out the next morning, and good thing because food poisoning laid me low as soon as I got home.

I saw so many critters on this trip - tadpoles, bats, and birds, and my first rattler and tarantula hawk (very glad I saw the latter two before walking into them)! And I saw condors every day - it seems there's a pair + mature offspring hanging around Grandview point.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Antelope Horns  Yellow Columbine

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Cottonwood Creek Light flow Light flow

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Grapevine 3,648 Dripping Dripping

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Grapevine Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
Better water above and below Tonto crossing area
  3 archives
Mar 03 2016
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 Guides 8
 Routes 12
 Photos 1,918
 Triplogs 662

39 female
 Joined Dec 02 2009
 Grand Canyon
Grapevine Creek - Grand CanyonNorthwest, AZ
Grapevine Creek - Grand Canyon
Northwest, AZ
Backpack avatar Mar 03 2016
Hippy • Triplogs 662
Backpack20.00 Miles
Backpack20.00 Miles2 Days   12 Hrs      
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
2.5 days out with Jamie
1 night at Grapevine, 2nd back at Cottonwood, just because.

Stopped by to visit Petey B. and Ralphy C. at Hotel de Willow Creek, some awesome history hidden down there!

Spotted our first GC Pink Rattler of 2016 along the Tonto between Grapevine and Cottonwood, cute little guy! Very short wig a stumpy little tail that was so dull sounding I thought it was a late afternoon locust sounding out!

Little guy was about 3feet below us on the next shelf down, got a decent photo on my phone then we went our separate ways in peace.

Spotted a common poorwill in the middle of the trail just before camp, we thought it was dead because it was playing possum as we approached, it didn't move until Jamie tossed a tiny pebble in its Direction (not AT it we're not cruel, don't worry), then it flew away.

Hike out from Cottonwood around 8am and reached the rim before noon then, of course, pizza and wings at Maswik!! Yummmm

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Cottonwood Creek Medium flow Medium flow
Flowing nicely!! Lots of frogs and other wildlife nearby the pools

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Grapevine Creek Medium flow Medium flow
Flowing nicely! Could hear it burbling as we approached from the east
_____________________
Canyon Freak Adventures!
  1 archive
Apr 01 2012
avatar

 Guides 13
 Routes 38
 Photos 1,651
 Triplogs 577

60 male
 Joined Nov 15 2005
 Jackson, CA
Grapevine Creek - Grand CanyonNorthwest, AZ
Grapevine Creek - Grand Canyon
Northwest, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Apr 01 2012
toddak • Triplogs 577
Canyoneering26.00 Miles 5,000 AEG
Canyoneering26.00 Miles   12 Hrs   30 Mns   2.08 mph
5,000 ft AEG
Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
II - Normally requires a half day
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Grandview Trail
Tonto Trail: Grandview Trail to South Kaibab
Partners none no partners
A fine day, sunny and breezy, with no ice on the way down Grandview, lots of water in all the usual places, pretty good wildflowers, some wildlife (3 young and bold mule deer) and a fun little canyon route. Then a late afternoon squall blows in suddenly with howling winds and I end the day with a dusting of snow falling on the Rim!
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  American Vetch
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.08 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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