Grandview Trail and Horseshoe Mesa
The Grandview Trail and Horseshoe Mesa are threshold areas recommended for hikers with previous Grand Canyon hiking experience. Steep, unmainatined trails combined with few water sources make threshold areas more challenging than the corridor trails. Once on the mesa visitors may investigate remnants of the Last Chance Mine or enjoy stunning views of the Colorado River. This trail does not provide access to the Colorado River.
Vital Statistics
Mileage
3 miles (5 km) to Horseshoe Mesa
6.5 miles (10km) to Hance Creek
4.5 miles (7.2) to Cottonwood Creek
Maps
Grandview Point, Cape Royal and Grand View Point 7.5’ USGS Quad Maps
Elevations
Grandview Point: 7400’ (2256 m)
Horseshoe Mesa: 4900’ (1494 m)
Trailhead Access
Horseshoe Mesa is accessed via the Grandview Trail which starts at Grandview Point. Follow the Desert View Drive east for 12 miles from its junction with the South Entrance Road to the Grandview Point turn-off. Overnight hiker parking is located on the far side of the turnoff. Overnight hiker parking is located on the far side of the turn around loop at the point. The trail starts next to the interpretive display.
Trail Description
The upper portion of the Grandview Trail wraps down the Kaibab Limestone and Coconino Sandstone in a series of switchbacks. The trail is steep and has a high amount of exposure until you reach the Coconino Saddle (1.5 miles/ 2 km) Below the Coconino saddle the trail is very steep and covered with loose rocks. Just above Horseshoe Mesa the trail levels some with one final short drop onto the mesa top. Horseshoe Mesa is fairly level for exploration.
Water Sources
Page Springs (Miner’s spring) is the closest water. If you plan to use Page Springs (4400;/1341 m) as a water source for the mesa campsites, it takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the springs. Cottonwood Spring is the closest water to the west and id more difficult to reach than Page Springs.
Campsites
Campsites in the Horseshoe Mesa use are designated sites marked by small posts. The small group sites are located on the east side of the mesa. To reach the sites, turn east at the stone building onto a narrow trail. Follow this trail to the three sites and the toilet, located on the left side of the trail. The large group site is located on the east side of Horseshoe Butte. Follow the Grandview Trail about 200 yards past the historic stone building to the sign for the large group site and follow the stone lined trail for about 150 yards to the site and the toilet.
Special Notes
Camping is not allowed in mines or historic structures. Please help preserve the history of the Canyon by leaving historic and prehistoric artifacts where you discover the, Do not enter tunnels and mine shafts. They are unstable and subject to collapse. Radon levels measure at 12 times the normal level
The historic Grandview Mining District
Settlers rediscovered copper on the mesa in 1890 and the Grandview Trail was constructed from the Last Chance Mine to a mill site on the canyon rim. Eight to ten mules hauled 200 pounds of ore apiece daily from the mine to the rim. By 1907 the mine was no longer profitable and all the claims on the mesa were abandoned. The trail was constructed between 1892 and 1893. The Grandview Trail has been described as a “masterpiece of eyeball engineering.”
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