Nankoweap Trail
Vital Statistics
Mileage
USFS #610 TH through FS to NPS Nankoweap TH 3 miles
USFS #445 TH through FS to NPS Nankoweap TH 3.5 miles
NPS Nankoweap TH to Colorado River 11 miles
Elevation
USFS RD #610 TH 8800
USFS RD #445 TH 6800
Nankoweap TH 7640
Colorado River 2760
Maps
75 Nankoweap
15 Point Imperial, Nankoweap Mesa
Trails Illustrated; Grand Canyon National Park
Trailhead Access
From the west via USFS Road #60 (4.6 miles north of N rim entrance station) or from the north through House Rock Valley via USFS Road #445 (south of Lees Ferry along 89A). #445 is a lower elevation access and more reliable year-round. NOTE that both trailheads are called Saddle Mountain AND that both Forest Service Trails are numbered 57.
Trail Description
National Forest Service Trailheads to NPS Boundary: Both National Forest Service Trails #57 merge at the canyon rim, NPS boundary (trail 57 actually connects the two trailheads). The trail from #610 is straightforward. Long pants are advised with all the locust present. The trail from #445 is more obscure. Leave the parking lot and follow an old road south (uphill and to the left when you come to a Y. On the far side of a clearing the trail becomes more obvious and descends into a ravine crossing back and forth for about a half mile. The trail exits from the creekbed to the south and travels continuously upward through forest toward the saddle.
NPS Boundary to Marion Pt.: As you enter the canyon you en enter the Supai Formation. The trail turns south and descends quickly through the upper most Supai cliffs (Esplanade Sandstone). At the bottom of the switchbacks you begin a lengthy traverse, remaining immediately below the Esplanade for the next five miles or so. It appears to be fairly level, but actually undulates and there is much exposure. The trail is often only one foot print wide, loose and gravelly, and with 10 to 150= ft of drop-off. It is generally confined above and below by cliffs so there a few opportunities to get lost. Once place that may be confusing is where the trail passes Marion Pt. Here it makes an immediate turn to the north continuing the traverse and does not continue to Marion Pt. Just beyond where the trail passes Marion Pt, near the head of a canyon, it passes just below a very small ephemeral seep under a ledge.
Marion Pt to Tilted Mesa: The traverse continues in its undulating fashion until it approaches the ridge leading down to Tilted Mesa. There it begins a gradual descent through the remainder of the Supai becoming more steep on the ridge. Two short cliffs are descended with the aid of a couple trees Excellent campsites are located at the top of each of these cliffs. The trail soon reaches the top of the Redwall limestone in the isthmus between Nankoweap and Little Nankoweap Canyons. The trail continues on or near the ridge until dropping off to the southwest and beginning the descent through the Redwall.
Tilted Mesa to Nankoweap Creek: The descent through the Redwall, Muav Limestones and Bright Angel Shale begins easily enough but soon deteriorates into a careful slide down some precarious scree. A walking stick is helpful. The trail in the upper Redwall is clear and relatively well constructed. Where it is gravelly, the rocks are angular and large enough to be stable. Things deteriorate when the trail makes a couple of loose traverses, then a couple more, then moves into a slope that is nothing but shaly scree. The general direction of the trail is southeast. DURING SEPTEMEBER 1992 HEAVY RAINS CAUSED SEVERAL WASHOUTS ALONG SECTIONS OF THE REDWALL DESCENTS.
Water Sources
A very small ephemeral seep is located just above the trail approximately 150 yds past where the trail passes Marion Pt. Permanent water sources include Nankoweap Creek and the Colorado River. It is advisable to cache one half to one gallon of water per person along the trail for the hike out.
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