Jackass Trail
Trailhead Access
Access is from 89A near mile marker 534, across from the community of Navajo Springs. There is a water tank at the turnoff with the numbers “3A-189” written on the tank. Sometimes there is a JACKASS sign on the fence. Total mileage from highway to trailhead: 1.4 miles
Trail Description
The trail begins to the south of the parking area. It witch-backs around to the bottom of the canyon; this section has a lot of loose rubble on it. Follow the canyon down to the river. At one place there is a steep pouroff that sometimes has a rope hanging from it. It is possible to friction-walk to the right and jump the last few feet or climb down the center water course. Hiking up the trail, the center route is easier. Any ropes you will find here may not be safe – use good judgment.
For following the drainage, you will want to look for a trail on the left (southwest) side of the canyon. The trail is intermittent, but it is easier than boulder-hopping the center. There is a nice beach at the river. Camping below the rim in any side canyons including Jackass requires a Backcountry permit from Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry office. Camping on the rim on the east side of the Colorado River in this area requires permission from the Navajo Nation.
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.”
|
