Submission from Sharp: (obsolete link)
I got to go to the Grand Canyon three weekends in a row! The first weekend was the AMC's annual trip to rappel down into the canyon and pick up trash. Jan Harding, Richard Theobald, their daughter, and Barry Davies' son also went. On Saturday we cleaned up trash, and on Sunday we did some rock-climbing in the morning and then headed home.
The second weekend was the rim-to-rim-to-rim trip, for which we have another trip report.
The third weekend we hiked the New Hance Trail to the river and back. Rogil, John Ficker, and I had gone to look for the Old Hance Trailhead the weekend of the trash rappel, but, even though John Ficker had hiked the trail before, we couldn't find the trailhead. The lookout he used as a landmark does not exist anymore. Rogil decided that it wasn't a good idea to take a large group on a hike that might not work out, so some other time we'll go explore the possible routes we found.
After having hiked the North and South Kaibab trails the weekend before, I really noticed that the footing on the New Hance was quite a bit more difficult in comparison. Fortunately for me, the hike was shorter.
When we got to the river, we stopped for lunch, and a bunch of kayakers were arriving to camp. Watching the kayakers on land yell instructions to the others still on the water was a bit comical. The rapids were so noisy that yelling was pointless. But everyone appeared to do just fine. One of the kayakers said she had put in for a permit for this trip 10 years ago.
Jim Kistler had a backcountry permit, so we left him at the river. He hiked out the next day.
This was most definitely not an easy hike in and out of the canyon, but it was well worth doing. All the Grand Canyon hikes have great views. We started hiking at twilight, and Rogil, Charlene, and I--the slow group--finished just as it was getting dark. Richard had brought his truck down the road and waited for us. Thank you, Richard!
And thanks to Rogil for setting up another great Grand Canyon hike!
Submission from Charlene Todd:
A poem, of sorts, about our trip along the New Hance Trail:
The trail descends into the Canyon.
Ever steeper it goes. Barely a trail, but a wash of scree.
And, each step is a measure of concentration as the body – the machine –
inches slowly closer to the raging River below.
The Canyon is intimate.
It is sight and smell. It’s sound engulfs the soul.
And, each step is a measure of sensation as the body – the machine –
inches slowly closer to the raging River below.
The Rocks become a record of history beyond imagination
Down through the layers of geologic time.
And, each step is a measure of chronology as the body – the machine –
inches slowly closer to the raging River below.
The River roils over rapids.
Ever carving the Canyon deeper and deeper.
And, each step is a measure of depth as the body – the machine– inches
slowly closer to the raging River below.
The Canyon top is far overhead
It is far distant and the body is weary.
But, each step is a measure of strength as the body – the machine –
inches slowly closer to the Rim above.
Email from Jim Kistler 10/9/2000:
Just for the record, I made it out of the canyon by noon Sunday after a 4 hour hike up from Hance Creek.
FYI, the hike up from the river on the Tonto trail to Hance Creek was long but not difficult, water was available at the creek and apart from minor fire damage, it was quite nice there (all to myself). The hike out Sunday was steep, especially the red wall before Horseshoe Mesa by Page Spring but probably not as bad as what you all went through on the New Hance!
Best of all ' NO RAIN! '
Thanks for the photo link!