North Bass Trail
Vital Statistics
Mileage
Swamp Point – Muav Saddle: .75
Muav Saddle – Redwall Descent: 3.0
Redwall Descent – Tapeats Pouroff: 3.0
Tapeats Pouroff – White $ Shinumo Creeks: 1.5
Shinumo Creek – Colorado River: 2.75
Maps
7.5’ King Arthur Castle, Havasupai Pt
15’ Powell Plateau, Havasupai
Trails Illustrated: Grand Canyon National Park
Elevations
Swamp Point: 7500’
Muav Saddle: 6700’
Redwall Traverse: 5000’
Tapeats Pouroff: 3300’
White & Shinumo Creeks: 2800’
Colorado River: 2200’
Trailhead Access
The trailhead for the North Bass begins at Swamp Point. Swamp Point is located at the end of Swamp Ridge Road.
Trail Description
The North Bass Trailhead is located at Swamp Point. Vehicles can be parked ¼ mile north of the trailhead. The trail drops down to Muav Saddle through a series of switchbacks. At the saddle is a trail junction. The middle trail continues south and up to Powell Plateau. The trail to the right leads to the Muav cabin. The North Bass is to the left and contours the base of the Coconino sandstone for approximately ¼ mile to a large cairn indicating the descent through the Hermit Shale A spur trail continues a short distance to a fairly reliable spring.
The descent from the cairn is steep and the footing loose. Some hikers may prefer to use a ski pole or hiking staff for the descent. The trail crosses a drainage, follow a small ridge and drops into a drainage to the west. This drainage runs into White Creek. The descent terminates here at the head of White Creek in the Supai. Continue down White Creek in the Supai. Continue down White Creek until you reach a waterfall. The bypass is to the right which involves a traverse and downclimb of approximately 30 feet. Some hikers may wish to lower their packs. Continue down the bed of White Creek until you arrive at the pouroff in the Redwall.
At this point, a trail is cairned to the right and traverses the top of the Redwall through pinyon, juniper and manzanita. The trail intersects with three drainages. Continue down the third drainage a short distance. The route leaves the drainage and traverses along a cliff to the start of the Redwall descent. The descent is steep and rocky but well marked. The descent terminates in White Creek drainage. The trail continues down the drainage. There is a pouroff in the Bright Angel Shale which is bypassed to the right. The bypass is approximately ½ mile in length and contours along the Tonto before dropping back into White Creek.
The trail continues down the drainage until the mouth of the Redwall Canyon. At this point, a large pouroff in the Tapeats prevents further travel in the drainage. A bypass to the left involves a short descent into an adjacent drainage and a 15 ft down climb back into White Canyon. Some hikers may wish to lower their packs. The trail continues down creek through an impressive and narrow section of Tapeats.
In the event of heavy rains or flooding, there is a 2.25 mile long spur trail which contours the Tonto west of White Creek. However, it can be difficult to locate the trail. It begins approximately ¼ mile above the Tapeats pouroff and terminates approximately ¼ mile downstram of White & Shinumo Cheek confluences. The King Arthur Castle 7.5 minute quadrangle (1988) shows the trail.
Continuing down White Creek drainage, a pouroff in the Vishnu Shist is bypassed on the left. The confluence with White and Shinumo Creeks is another ½ mile downstream.
To go to the river, follow Shinumo Creek below the confluence for approximately one and ½ mile to a cairned bypass on the east side of the creek. It climbs approximately 700 feet to a saddle. From the saddle there are excellent views of the river. The trail continues down to the river and the large terrace above the river.
Water Availability
Seasonally at the spring northeast of Muav Saddle. White Creek is perennial, flow however are intermittent in the Supai section and from the base of the Redwall to Shinumo Creek. Shinumo Creek is perennial. High glows in Shinumo Creek during spring runoff makes crossings extremely hazardous or impossible. Water is available at the Colorado River. Purify all water.
Campsites
Several small campsites are located in the Supai and along the Redwall traverse Most camps are at the base of the Redwall descent. More sites are available along White Creek at the Tonto level. Above the west side of White Creek at the confluence with Shinumo Creek is a small hill with a large site on the summit. There are sites available, but river parties may pull into camp and you will encounter large numbers of people.
Notes
The Swamp Point road is subject to closure during fire activity. During late Spring and early summer tree fall across the road will prevent access.
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