(Day 1 of 3)
raven at Lipan Point
This was surprisingly my first overnight trip into canyon, after arriving at the south rim over three months ago! I had been waiting until the late summer and early autumn to get involved in longer overnight trips, because of the summer heat. There had also been plenty of dayhikes and other nearby trails to keep me busy.
The Tanner Trail begins at Lipan Point, close to the Desert View Watchtower. It is the eastern-most trail into the Grand Canyon from the South Rim, ending approximately 9-10 miles down the trail at Tanner Rapids on the Colorado River. There the river turns abruptly north, upstream toward Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam.
At Tanner Rapids we planned to continue 9.5 miles along the east bank of the river on The Beamer Trail, which comes to a terminus at the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers. Mike and I reserved a two-night itinerary at the base of the Tanner Trail at the rapids. The plan was:
Day 1 – Tanner trailhead to the Colorado River
Day 2 – Leave base camp and follow the Beamer Trail to the confluence with the Little Colorado, return to base camp.
Day 3 – Hike back out the Tanner Trail to the rim.
The second day’s plan was a little too ambitious, and we didn’t make it all the way to the confluence.
the view at Lipan Point
There was a bit of initial confusion as to the exact location of the trailhead. It lies to east of the point.
Mike takes in the view as we begin the descent.
It seemed as though The Desert View Watchtower was visible at all times on this hike – a sort of “Eye of Sauron” for the entire duration.
This narrow saddle was a great pace for a break after the initial descent. We had come down about 1,700 feet from the rim. The trail would be relatively flat for the next three miles or so, before descending the Redwall.
The saddle offered a stunning view to the west of upper 75-Mile Creek.
This group of hikers are the only people we’d see on this trip (In additon to some river runners). They were going on to hike the Escalante Route west.
Don’t miss the next page (This day continued)
