Toroweap to Upper Hummingbird • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Dec 08 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	4.34 Miles	1,036 AEG

Hiking	4.34 Miles	2 Hrs 55 Mns	1.64 mph
	1,036 ft AEG	16 Mns Break

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Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Trash Hauled Out

1 archive

Dec 08 2023

shelby147

Routes 5
Photos 435
Triplogs 119

female

Joined Mar 26 2022
Flagstaff, AZ

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Dec 08 2023
		shelby147 • Triplogs 119

Hiking	4.34 Miles	1,036 AEG

Hiking	4.34 Miles	2 Hrs 55 Mns	1.64 mph
	1,036 ft AEG	16 Mns Break

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pseudalpine

One last trip up to the canyon for 2023. Pernell came up too - yippee!

We left the Bright Angel trail right near the closure. The trail was initially well established, then gradually faded to game tracks. There was fresh talus in one place but it wasn't hard to cross. The game track across the narrow part was very well established (after all, where else are the animals going to go!). We were able to see this spot from the rim later, and it's a bit spooky!

Maricopa Point must be a gusty one, because we found dozens of hats below the rim here and carried out what we could. After a quick visit to the shack and old tram cable above the Coconino cliff, we headed up to the rim in the ravine below the power line. We emerged just outside the fenced zone and returned along the rim.

Apr 01 2016

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Apr 01 2016
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	3.00 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles	3 Hrs	1.00 mph
	860 ft AEG

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Jamie and I popped out the Toroweap Route this afternoon, just because.

Lots of wash out in the area from winter snow melt. A few patches of snow and multiple snowmelt seeps! I bet Horn Creek is gushing...and glowing.

Beautiful day out!
Jamie's first time along this route and visiting Upper Orphan.
Topped the rim just as sun was setting.

I wish everyday could end like this...but that work thing ya know?

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Nov 05 2015

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Nov 05 2015
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	2.19 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	2.19 Miles	2 Hrs 45 Mns	0.80 mph
	860 ft AEG

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Not enough snow to try out my camera on
*grumble*

Use to hate snow. Dunno why I love it so much this year!

This "trail" got trashed by all our rain this year by the way!!
I had to kick a few old footholds into shape at "the catwalks". Two minor drainages are pretty thrashed but I crossed them with caution in my steps but never felt threatened by a fall.

All in all I'd suggest not doing this as a solo trip anymore. Its rather umm...rickety.

Be safe out there friends!

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Aug 03 2015

Dave1

Routes 29
Photos 1,548
Triplogs 1,802

49 male

Joined Jan 25 2009
Phoenix, AZ

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Aug 03 2015
		Dave1 • Triplogs 1,802

Hiking	5.75 Miles	1,750 AEG

Hiking	5.75 Miles
	1,750 ft AEG

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Went down Bright Angel to about the first resthouse. Explored a little off the side then went up and followed the first half of the Toroweap to Hummingbird Trail. I ended up between a group of 8 bighorns. Six were ahead of me and the two behind were trying to catch up but I think my presence was disturbing them. One seamed stuck on a ledge above me and was grunting. I decided it was best to turn around and let them do their thing. I think they were trying to get to the broken water pipe above 1 1/2 mile Resthouse. Found some neat trash along the way.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bighorn Sheep

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Old Rusty Stuff

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1 archive

May 30 2015

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		May 30 2015
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	4.56 Miles	993 AEG

Hiking	4.56 Miles	3 Hrs	1.52 mph
	993 ft AEG

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Took my roommate, Kelsey, back for seconds an this time Darshonna aka Shon joined us, shes another first timer so this was her first GC hike!!

Tire is still there
Kelsey found a basketball
Shon collected multiple hats
I managed to jam a huge splinter in my finger and had to cut the skin open with an agave needle tip to pop out said splinter. *ouchie!!!*

Getting warmer!! Up in the 80s already!!

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ - Hike HAZard

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May 27 2015

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		May 27 2015
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	4.56 Miles	993 AEG

Hiking	4.56 Miles	3 Hrs	1.52 mph
	993 ft AEG

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I have returned home again!
New housing.
New job.
New roommate.

Same ol' lovely home.

New roommate, Kelsey, a mere 3 hours after meetinh us, was down to hike with me and my Colombiana friend Steph.

BA is overrated and boring but we were short on daylight so I took a chance with this one.

The girls had a blast we found a tire over the edge that I have to hike out with NPS maintenance next week to retrieve. Awesome.

Lovely sunset.
Second day back, great welcome home hike.

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1 archive

May 04 2014

squatpuke

Guides 6
Routes 6
Photos 1,634
Triplogs 186

58 male

Joined Apr 04 2002
Flagstaff, AZ

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		May 04 2014
		squatpuke • Triplogs 186

Hiking	4.19 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	4.19 Miles	3 Hrs	1.40 mph
	860 ft AEG

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Hippy

Great day on the slopes of the Toroweap with the Hippy.

Day started with me picking up a CLOBBERED Hippy at her home in GC; appeared Saturday evening was a just a tiny bit crazy. While Hippy was coming to her senses, I was fortunate enough to meet and talk extensively with one of her mountain bike roomies, Paul, who later politely rejected Hippy's offer to join us since he had just come off a 3 day trip of his own.

We found a great parking spot at the BA trailhead, and meandered down past the 2nd tunnel to the "tie-off" just below the Kaibab. The trail on the Toroweap formation and beyond the signage was relatively easy for the first 1/4 mile or so...then it got rather nasty and require constant concentration and caution. There were various sections that required a bit of remembrance from Hippie (good thing she didn't kill any brain cells the night before), but pushing through one wrong path usually found the next correct one nearby; much like the Battleship route on the Supai.

Oddly, we came across a cow elk about a mile out on the hike. Can't imagine this thing coming any other way down other than the Bright Angel then across the Toroweap, the Kaibab seems much to steep. Was the strangest thing to see and it required gingerly manuevering to work around her without spooking and causing a disaster.

The "crux" of this hike was traversing a severely slopped, and slippery gravel talus JUST above the top of the shear Coconino; a several hundred foot fall being only a few feet away. Check the video below. (BTW, I need physical proof that 9L actually did this section!!)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KCE5_WKNCx8

The absolute scariest part of the trip was when I reached down to take a picture and discovered my $400 dollar hiking camera suddenly missing...I had visions of it being shattered at the bottom of the Coconino and all my pictures lost for eternity! I backtracked to the last brushey section looking primary down slope and praying for mercy. I soon found the camera about 30 yards back hanging on a limb in a Gambling Oak that I had just painfully pushed my way through. The limb must have caught the lanyard and pulled it right outta the pouch!!!! WHEEEEWWWWW :wlift:

We reached the middle section of Orphan mine and checked out the artifact from the cable operator's shack. After a quick PB&J Burrito, we climbed the VERY steep Upper Hummingbird marked with pink frilly thingies (see photo)...

Afterwards, Hippy, her pal Wendy and I went to BA Cafe for some grub. I had the spaghetti and meatballs, Hippy had the babybacks with a side of veins and tendons. :whistle:

Was a very fun (albeit chatty day); always is with Ms. Haley!!
Never a dull moment with the Hippie around!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Elk

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Brachiopod

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Trail Chasers / Whiskers

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squatpuke@gmail.com

May 04 2014

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		May 04 2014
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	4.19 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	4.19 Miles	3 Hrs	1.40 mph
	860 ft AEG

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squatpuke

Ever since my first relocation to GrCa Mister Puke has been bounding me to get him out to the Mine.
This weekend just happened to work out!!

He showed up around noon as I was hunting for shoes and my electrolyte tabs.
We headed down to the Cinch Up just beyond the upper tunnel on BA and headed out from there.

Easy going as usual until the northernmost point where you have a gorgeous view of Battleship Iowa

I had been sighting fresh scat and urine all along the trail and I figured maybe bighorn, around the bend as we crossed a nasty scree drainage I looked up right into the face of an elk... strange place to meet an elk!! It turned around, walked along the trail and we gingerly followed.
After a few yards it stopped, stared, let us pass then it turned back the way it came...

Larebear and I chatted about life, the universe and everything. He talks as much as I do when he's one on one!!!

Had a grand old time, attempted to line up a cartwheel at the way station atop the coconino but I figured I'd rather not die today.

Once on the rim we walked along the trail of time then met my boss, Wendy, for lunch and pleasantries.

Thanks for a lovely day Mister Puke! I'll be in contact when the next part of this trek unfolds.

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Oct 26 2013

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Oct 26 2013
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	4.56 Miles	993 AEG

Hiking	4.56 Miles
	993 ft AEG	59 Mns Break

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John9L

Took 9L and my ranger buddy, Joe, out to see my "Not-so-secret Secret Trail"

We started from BA went down to the Cinch Up where you go left at the little brown sign that says "Bright Angel :next:

" Tourists were confused as usual we had to point them back the right way...

We made great time to the North face well past Trail View lookout we started to slow down when our way became more route finding oriented (YAY!) right about the time you get a magnificent view of Battleship and Horn Creek you really need to start watching your footing.

The first time I did this was the most exhilarating experience I'd had since my first outdoor rappel! Going back through the second time was just as fun but following in (literally) my own footsteps made it MUCH easier and knocked the " :scared:

" factor down a LOT.

The two tiny sketchy sections were MUCH easier this time around thanks to my kicking level footholds across the path last time I went through, the risk and exposure is still the same. 3-5 feet below you at a nice angle is the Coconino cliff...

I still say don't do this at night or alone and be careful, you can't trust the slopes!

We found the old Upper Hummingbird trail much sooner this time and got a sweet GPS track! We also got to explore the mining cabin at the top of the Coconino, it looks like the old tram operator station! Awesome!

Climbed out along Upper Humming Bird and walked to Powell and Maricopa points for a nice view of what we just did (again!) Then walked the Rim Trail back to the Village stopping to point out the Razzle Dazzle gravesite and the place I did my first rappel.

Fun little off trail before work!

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Oct 26 2013

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 183
Photos 5,612
Triplogs 1,647

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Toroweap to Upper Hummingbird, AZ

Hiking		Oct 26 2013
		John9L • Triplogs 1,647

Hiking	4.56 Miles	993 AEG

Hiking	4.56 Miles
	993 ft AEG

no routes

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Hippy

Hippy told me about this route and I was very intrigued. I love these old routes and begged her to lead the way. Her friend Joe aka Fluffy joined us for this hike.

We started from the BA Trail and followed a good use trail for a mile or so. The trail deteriorates as you proceed. You can tell tourists follow it for a while but turn around when things start getting sketchy. Hippy led us with confidence and determination. We made good progress as we followed the use trail at the base of the Toroweap. After a while Hippy said the sketchy section was right around the next corner. I'll admit I had some anxiety leading up to it. We arrived at it and it's scary but not overwhelming. Hippy talked about carving out footholds the previous week and those made a big difference. We carefully crossed this section and continued wrapping around toward the Orphan Mine relics.

As the route turns to the west you can see an old wooden structure and some old scaffolding used by the tram. We followed a use trail and partially bushwhacked over to the area. Once there we had a look around and took a break. We were chatting and looked up at Maricopa Point to see tourists looking down on us. I waved and they waved back

From there we started making the way up and picked up the Upper Hummingbird trail. There are pink markers sticking up out of the ground and they lead all the way to the rim. Once on top we stopped at Powell Point and then Maricopa Point. From there we returned to the south rim via the Rim Trail.

I have to give props to Hippy for figuring out this route the week before. It's not easy to follow and it definitely has some exposure. Turning around on this route would be very difficult and dangerous. What's next?

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Oct 16 2013

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Northwest, AZ

Hiking		Oct 16 2013
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	2.50 Miles	862 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles
	862 ft AEG

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HOLY

!!!! This is NOT a good trail to go alone on. Do NOT attempt at night.
In all honesty just don't hike this "trail" at all!!! :scared:

Starting from Bright Angel Trail I traversed along the Toroweap for about 2 miles.

Those 2-ish miles are along a faint game trail that goes under trees, over bushes, over fallen boulders, and most of this is along the top of the Coconino cliff of doom. There are points where you're slowly crawling across a steep, slanted ledge, leaning into the Toroweap while trying not to look down and see the 500+ foot cliff that is the Coconino layer that looms just a foot or two to your right as you head west. :scared:

Once below Maricopa Point you have to drop down about 3 "shelves" to the literal top of the Coconino once again, here you have to wrap around a point, you will probably "cliff out" about 4 times before finding the true trail but it's ridiculously obvious in the end. I'll never miss it again.
From there you find yourself climbing up the ravine that houses the infamous Orphan Mine. Keep in mind that the top portion nearest the old buildings on the rim is closed to the public, DO NOT APPROACH THAT AREA...unless you're crazy and don't mind the $1000 fine and getting kick out of the park.

Once you are heading up the ravine you'll find an old trail this is where the "Upper Hummingbird Trail" connects and begins. The Upper Hummingbird Trail switchbacks up to the west of the "closed" portion of the rim and leads you out toward Powell Point.

I gotta say "finding" this trail and being that close to the Mine and exploring the area (LEGALLY!) was EXHILARATING!!! Once I climbed back up to the rim and was safe and sound on the rim trail I was hooting and hollering and dancing. It was so intense and SO scary

This was the scariest "trail" I've been on in a looooong time! It's sketchy, dodgy, full of extreme, and I MEAN EXTREME EXPOSURE...if *I* am saying there's scary as hell exposure you KNOW it's gotta be serious... :y:

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horn Creek

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