Apache Point Route
Vital Statistics
Mileage
App. 1 mile
Maps
7’ Explorers Monument
15’ Havasupai Point Quad
Elevation
Point Huitzil: 6200’
Esplanade: 5000’
Apache Pt: 6240’
Trailhead Access
The Esplanade Route covers a distance of 18 miles, starting at the South Bass Trail and ending at Apache Point. This description covers the portion from the Royal Arch drainage to Apache Point. Direct acess to the eastern end of this area would be via Point Huitzil (see the Point Huitzil route description).
Trail Description
The Esplanade Route proper covers the distance from the South Bass trail to Apache Point. However, an experienced backpacker could travel to the west at this same level for many miles. In the area between Royal Arch drainage and Apache Point, the Esplanade Route is virtually non-existent. The older versions of the Tails Illustrated map show a tril in this area, but this is very misleading. Occasionally you may find protions of the historic route, but they appear so infrequently and for such a short distance that they are impossible to follow. Your best bet is to look at the map carefully, scan the topography to your destination and pick your best line of travel. Usually this is found in the upper layers of the Supai, but below the Hermit shale slopes. Travel in this area is similar to travel on the Tonto in that it always seems to take longer than anticipated to get to your destination. What appears to be a short distance as you view it on the ground actually becomes much longer when you factor in all of the drainages you must traverse/
Water Availability
The only perennial water source in this area is the lower portion of Royal Arch drainage below the Redwall (see Royal Arch Route description). After rain or snow storms, there MAY be potholes in the Supai layer, but don’t count on it. There are no springs along this stretch of the Esplanade! Be prepared to spend nights in dry camps!
Campsite Availability
There are many possible campsites, but it is likely that none will have water. “At large” camping is permitted in this area.
Notes
This is an incredibly dry stretch of the canyon that should only be attempted during wet periods of the year.
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