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Trip Leader:
Email the leader to confirm. Please confirm your participation ASAP. As we approach the trip date, we will coordinate carpooling and a car shuttle between Kaibab TH and Grandview TH. Make sure to bring all necessary equipment and food for a 5 day backpacking trip in remote areas of the Grand Canyon. All water must be filtered. Bring a water filtration system. Also suggest bringing a rat bag to keep varmints from stealing your food. Micro spikes may also be needed. Should you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, feel free to email me. |
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I am excited to inform you about a special backpacking trip in a Wild Area along the East
Tonto trail in Grand Canyon National Park which transverses a beautiful, remote and wild
area in the park. This backpacking trip starts at the south Kaibab trailhead, descends to
the Colorado River, and ends at the Grandview trailhead. What: Backpacking along the East Tonto trail. At-large (remote) camping. Come prepared to have a great time. This will be a great hike through a spectacular part of the Grand Canyon. This is a remote part of the canyon and we should see few people. This will be a true backcountry experience with no designated camping sites. The permits are for designated areas. We will camp near water, which must be filtered before drinking. There are no bathroom facilities. All waste must be handled according to Grand Canyon Backcountry procedures which will be detailed at a later time. This is a A+ rated hike in an area designated as a Wild Area by the Grand Canyon backcountry office rangers. Most of the route on the Tonto trail is a non-maintained trail which can be severely eroded in places with steep drop-offs. The trip leader was approved by the Grand Canyon backcountry office to obtain permits for camping at Hance Creek. He provided documentation of prior backcountry experience in similar areas of the Grand Canyon. Hikers must have the required experience and ability to do this hike, and obtain approval from the trip leader before being added to the trip. Please see the trip description below. Note the following trail ratings key. These rating will be used in the trip description. Trail Ratings: E - Easy (minimal grades) M - Moderate (medium grades, rough surfaces) D - Difficult (steep, rocky with sustained grades) DD - Expert (steep and rocky, trail may be faint, may require scrambles, vertical exposure.) Note some trails on this trip have this rating. Day 1, Wednesday Nov 5: Drive to the Kaibab trailhead. Suggest staying nearby (Williams or closer) the night before. We need to start at day break (6:30am). Hike the Kaibab trial to the Tip Off then east on the Tonto trail. Trail mostly E & M with some D rating. Must cross Cremation Canyon (DD) - west side some scrambling, east side steep and slippery with exposure. Hiking distance of 10.2 miles. Camp at Lonetree Canyon (Area BJ9). Water source is a spring 1/2 mile down Lonetree Canyon from camp site. This will add an additional mile of hiking. Day 2, Thursday Nov 6: Continue hiking along the Tonto Trail. Camp at Grapevine canyon (Area BH9). Hiking distance of 8.7 miles. Trail all E & M ratings. Creek water available at camp site. Day 3, Friday Nov 7: Continue hiking along the Tonto Trail. Camp at Hance creek (Area BE9). Hiking distance of 10.9 miles. Trail all M rating, except at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon which is a D rating (narrow trail with exposure). Creek water at campsite . Will camp here for 2 nights Day 4, Saturday Nov 8: Day hike to east end of the Tonto trail and Hance Rapids on the Colorado River. Hiking distance of 13 miles. Trail all M rating. Elevation grain of about 1,100 ft on the way back to camp. Suggest bringing a small day pack for lunch/snacks and water. Will camp at hance creek again. Day 5, Sunday Nov 9: Hike out the Grandview trail. Hiking distance of 4.8 miles. 4,000 feet elevation gain. Mostly M or D rated trail. DD section below Horseshoe Mesa - steep, faint or non-existing trail in places with exposure. The plan is to drive back to the valley after hiking. Weather Conditions: At the rim (Highs mid-50s, Lows upper 20s), the temperatures on the Tonto trail should be about 12 degrees warmer. The upper parts of the Tonto and Grandview trail could have snow and ice. Be prepared to bring micro spikes. |
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| Updated on October 7, 2025 |