Crazy Jug Point to Crazy Jug Canyon
Vital Statistics
Mileage
Crazy Jug Point to Crazy Jug Drainage: 7.0 miles
Crazy Jug/Saddle Jct to Upper Tapeats: 3.5 miles
Maps
7.5’ Tapeats Amphitheater
15’ Powell Plateau
Trails Illustrated: Grand Canyon National Park
Elevations
Monument Pt/Crazy Jug Pt Rim:
7360’ (792 m)
Crazy Jug Drainage: 4000’
Upper Tapeats Campsite: 2400’
Trailhead Access
Rim access is approximately 1 mile east of the Monument Point parking lot. Canyon access is approximately ½ mile upstream from the junction of Crazy Jug and Saddle Canyons on the west side of the drainage.
Trail Description
A good point to start is approximately 1 mile east of the Monument Point parking lot. Scrambling down loose talus slopes and bearing in a westerly direction should take you through obvious breaks in the Kaibab, Toroweap and Coconino formations, eventually depositing you on the Esplanade.
Once on the Esplanade, bushwhack through moderate flesh shredding brush in a southeasterly direction. Your ultimate directional bearing should be the southeastern edge of the plateau. As you approach the eastern edge of the plateau the crazy jug drainage should come into view to the east. Head toward the end of the plateau. Approximately ½ mile before the plateau end bear due east and search for an obvious break in the Supai layer. Negotiating this descent will put you at the top of the Redwall and the final descent into Crazy Jug Canyon.
Locating the break in the Redwall may require a little north/south traversing. Persevere and you will stumble on to cairns that mark the descent. Care and patience must be exercised here as an impatient descent could increase the difficulties exponentially. The upper 2/3 of the decent are fairly well cairned, but the steep nature of the terrain and highly erodible soil makes all trail markers temporary. After the initial steep drop the route generally tends to descend upstream or North. You will eventually be deposited in the Crazy Jug drainage approximately ½ mile upstream from its confluence with Saddle Canyon.
Water Availability:
The route from the rim to the Crazy Jug Drainage should be considered dry. There are shallow potholes on the Esplanade, but these dry quickly after rain. In Crazy Jug Canyon proper the first eastern drainage upstream from the junction with saddle Canyon appears to have a perennial flow of water of approximately 1 gal/minute. Tapeats Creek and Thunder River are major perennial tributaries.
Campsite Availability:
Dry camps are available on the Esplanade and below the Supai layer on the route to Crazy Jug drainage. There are suitable spots at the confluence of Crazy Jug and saddle Canyons – however, caution should be exercised during rainy periods due to flash flood potential.
Notes
This is a nice route, but should be considered serious and only attempted by experienced Grand Canyon hikers. Crazy Jug Canyon is a lovely drainage and well worth exploring. If utilizing the route as an exit, it would be prudent to start very early in the morning, or consider a late afternoon start with a dry camp at the saddle below the Supai cliff or on the Esplanade. Used as an exit from Crazy Jug, the start of the route is approximately ¼ mile upstream from the first major eastern drainage encountered in Crazy Jug Canyon. The start is a steep talus slope on the west side of the drainage, directly below a cave like feature in the Redwall. Upstream fro the start a distinct totem/pinnacle is visible.
The break allowing exit through the Coconino to the rim is roughly midway between Monument Point and Crazy Jug Point. The break can be sighted from a distance by visually following the Hermit later from Crazy Jug Point to the east. Where it is last seen marks the eastern border of the ascent break. Where the Hermit later becomes visible again to the west marks the western boundary.
|
