rock overhang near the top of the New Hance Trail
One hike that I’d been meaning to do for some time was the New Hance/Grandview loop, so I was happy to pencil this in as an overnight on July 2nd and 3rd, 2009. I had previously been up and down the Grandview Trail numerous times, and had done the New Hance Trail once… last August, to the river and back in a day, with near-disastrous results!
So the only stretch of this hike that was to be new territory for me was section of the Tonto linking these two trails together. I was also eager to make amends and re-familiarize myself with the New Hance Trail, and try to gauge if it was as difficult as I had remembered it.
The clouds on this trip provided great lighting for photos. Mile for mile, I think this collection is as good as any I’ve taken on a single hike in Grand Canyon, including perhaps the best inner-canyon sunset that I’ve ever seen.
Though a commonly done circuit, this route isn’t a true “loop,” as the trailheads technically don’t connect.
A typical stretch of the upper New Hance Trail – I think this is the most difficult trail from the South Rim.
Coronado Butte
Grandview Point and Berry Butte can be spied here to the west.
the Coconino Sandstone
more typical NewHanceTrail-ish-ness
I think that’s the Solomon Temple in the light, viewed from below the Coronado saddle at the base of the Coconino
Here the trail reaches the lip of the Redwall, and actually levels out for a bit as it traverses east to the break. It still holds onto it’s rough nature, though, with a major rockslide or two to negotiate.
A bighorn sheep is pictured in the center of this photo, atop a small boulder. It was a small herd of ewes, and this is about as close as they let me get to them. The canyon was so quiet on this day. I may have not have even noticed them if it wasn’t for their sound moving through the rocks.
The trail is located on the slope in the center of this photo, and works its way along the Redwall rim to the left (East). I like this image, as it encompasses nearly everything notable about this section of the New Hance Trail – Coronado Butte and its saddle, the center drainage, the rockslide, Supai traverse, and Redwall.
a view through the Redwall, to the north
the actual break, a bit more to the west
I think that this patch of Muav Limestone and Bright Angel Shale is one of the prettiest little spots in Grand Canyon. There are a few good campsites throughout here as well.
For those unfamiliar with Eastern Grand Canyon, the Hakatai Shale of Red Canyon is a unique, colorful sight.
Don’t miss the next page (This day continued)
