New Hance Trail
Vital Statistics
Mileage
2 miles (3.2 km) to Red Canyon Overlook
8 miles (13 km) to Hance Rapid
Maps
Grandview Point and Cape Royal 7.5 USGS Quads
Elevation
New Hance TH: 6982’ (2129 m)
Hance Rapids: 2600’ (793 m)
Trailhead Access
The New Hance Trail begins approximately 16 miles east of the junction of Desert View Drive and the South Entrance Road. Between Moran Point and the Bugglin Hill Picnic Area a series of “No Parking” signs marks the beginning of the New Hance Trail. Do not park along the road in this area. Instead, park your vehicle at Moran point. From the no parking signs follow a trail through the trees to a sign ant the Canyon’s edge. The trail drops steeply from this point.
Trail Description
This steep trail involves multiple scrambles and short down climbs to reach the creek bed. Once in the creek bed the trail winds in and out of the creek, wanders over loose rocks and requires route-finding skills. When the trail reaches the top of the Redwall Limestone it leaves the creek bed and starts a difficult and steep “traverse” through the Supai layer before it passes through the Redwall. Once through the Redwall, the trail levels some and parallels the creek bed until the rock layers allow access into the bottom of Red Canyon. From this point on to the Colorado River the dry creek bottom is the trail with minor spur trails bypassing short pour offs in a few places. A few yards before reaching the river the Tonto Trail heading west intersects the New Hance Trail at the base of a large sand dune. The Escalante Route begins at the east side of the camping area. Both intersections are unmarked and can be difficult to find.
Water Sources
The Colorado River is the only reliable water source in the Red Canyon vicinity. The stream in Red Canyon does not always have water in it and it may be difficult to reach. Water from the Colorado River may have to settle for hours before you are able to treat or filter it.
Campsites
The best option for camping along the New Hance is at the river on the east side of Red Canyon in a mesquite patch. Camping on the dunes is not a good idea as the dune vegetation is fragile. Please minimize the time you spend on the dunes. Few other campsites appear along the trail. The best of these sites are at the base and top of the Redwall Limestone. These are dry camps The rest of the terrain is extremely steep and offers little to no camping opportunities.
Special Notes
The New Hance Trail is arguably the most difficult established trail on the south side of the Canyon. Start early whether hiking up or down this trail as it is very steep and involves scrambling and route finding. Minimize the time you spend on the dunes and help protect this environment b camping on the east side of Red Canyon.
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