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Canyon Forum
Mileage: Mount Carmel Jct.
Tuweep 90 miles
South Canyon 75 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Zion Park 12 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes the Grand Canyon! Plan your North Rim Grand Canyon vacation with
our Arizona Maps and Information In these pages you will find insiders information
on the best Grand Canyon hikes and Backpacks including Tuweep and South Canyon
Trails. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps, pictures, trail beta,
backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds, things for kids
to do and even information on Grand Canyon North Rim hidden treasures.
Making grand memories in the Arizona national parks.
Arizona |
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Grand
Canyon North Rim Road Map
Directions to North Rim Grand Canyon: From Zion National Park,
take on U-9 through the park to Mt. Carmel Jct. Turn south on US-89 to Kanab.
There is only one stop light in Kanab; this is where US-89 changes to ALT 89.
Fredonia, Arizona is 6 miles. In Fredona take 89A to Jacob lake (36 miles), then
take AZ 67 to the Grand Canyon North Rim park entrance.
Winter Road Conditions and
Highway 67 Road Closures
Thunder River in the Grand Canyon.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Monument Point Trailhead:
36 26.0690N
112 25.7670W
Bill Hall Trail Begins Descent:
36 25.8570N
112 26.3770W
Descent from Esplanade into Surprise Valley Begins:
36 24.5432N
112 28.3344W
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information
by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo
Beck and www.zionnational-park.com author, Tanya Milligan.
Suggested
Gear: Be prepared for the rugged terrain of the Grand
Canyon. Hi-tech socks are important to stave off blisters and sturdy hiking shoes
are a must.
To offer trip reports, corrections, update
or for more information please visit the Grand Canyon Forum
This article by Bo and Tanya was published in the Today in Dixie Magazine .
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Thunder River
Autumn is an ideal time to hike trails that cannot be accessed in the winter or are too hot to endure in summer. A day trip to the Esplanade and back or a three day backpack to Thunder River and down Tapeats Creek to the Colorado River are perfect for the cool days of November. If you enjoy scenic drives to remote places, be sure to visit Crazy Jug Point and Monument Point. These little known view points in the Kaibab Forest offer spectacular views of the Grand Canyon.
Photo Album: Thunder
River Pictures
Trail Map: Thunder River Trail Map
Day Hike: This is not recommended. This trail is best done as a three
day hike. Do not attempt to hike down to Thunder River and back in one day.
Distance: 17 miles (27.4 km) round trip
Average Hiking Time: 3 days. 5 Hours From Monument Point Trailhead
to Campsite on the Esplanade. 3 Hours From Campsite on the
Esplanade to Thunder Spring. 4 Hours From Thunder Spring to campsite on the
Esplanade. 6 Hours From Campsite on the Esplanade to the Trailhead at Monument
Point.
Equipment: Sleeping bag, pad, tent, rugged hiking shoes,
extra socks, clothing, jacket, rain gear, hat, first
aid kit with blister treatment and ibuprofen, personal hygiene accessories, wag
bags, stove and fuel, pot for heating water, freeze dried foods, electrolyte
replacement Powder, 1.5 gallon water containers for each person, water filter
or purification treatment, map, compass, zip locks for trash and toilet paper
carryout. Hiking poles can be useful. Keep weight as low as possible.
Difficulty: Strenuous. Skills are needed for navigating
remote backcountry areas and a small scrambling section. The descent from the
rim (and the climb back up again) from the trailhead to Thunder River is beyond
what most backpackers are comfortable with.
Permits: Yes, for camping. A permit can be acquired
by logging onto www.nps.gov, go to the Grand Canyon directory and look for backcountry
permit procedures. A downloadable, faxable permit registration will need to be
completed; including the dates you anticipate camping, where you will be entering
the Grand Canyon and where you plan to camp. At the time of this report, a permit
request is $10 and $5/person per night while camping in the Grand Canyon National
Park. There is no guarantee that you will get the requested dates that are submitted,
so if there is some flexibility in your schedule then you may wish to submit
second date choices.
Trail Conditions: This trail is hot in the summer. Consider
hiking in the spring and fall.
Trailhead: Bill Hall Trailhead - Grand Canyon North
Rim
Trailend: Same as trailhead
Trail Access: The roads in the Kaibab Forest are good,
but they are dirt roads and can be impassible when wet, have fresh snow on them
or there is melting snow. The roads tend to dry out quickly even after a heavy
rain storm and can usually be traveled the next day.
Elevation: Highest Elevation near Monument Point- 7166'
Elevation: Rim of the Esplanade - 5000'
Elevation: Thunder River -
3850'
Total Descent: 4300'
Total Ascent: 4300'
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Classic Hike: No
Best Season: Spring and Fall
Water Availability: Thunder River - purify before use.
Restrooms: None. Pack it in, pack it out including
toilet paper. Use 6" cat holes and stay away from any water source.
Thunder River Trail via the Bill Hall Trailhead
This trail description begins at the Monument Point Trailhead on the North
Rim and follows the Bill Hall Trail onto the Esplanade. The descent is steep
and in full sunlight and more than likely there will be no water available at
your campsite on the Esplanade. Make sure that you are carrying enough water
for the first day of hiking, cooking at camp, and then enough left over for a
fairly strenuous, but downhill hike to Thunder Springs the following day.
Day 1 - Monument Point to the Esplanade
Monument Point - From Fredonia, Arizona, drive south on Highway 89A toward Jacob Lake for 1.5 miles and look for Forest Road 22 on the right. Turn right onto Forest Road 22 and follow the road, driving past several intersections and signs that indicate various vistas. At mile 28, notice the Big Springs Field Ranger Station. At 33 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 425, headed toward Crazy Jug and Monument Points. There is another intersection at mile 41, continue straight on Forest Road 425, eventually passing Crazy Jug Point. Look for a corral and a "Y" in the road at mile 43 where you will turn right on Forest Road 292. Continue for .3 miles to the next "Y" and turn right. There is one more intersection at 44.5 miles. Continue straight through it and drive 2 more miles to the Bill Hall Trailhead and Monument Point.
Monument Point from
Fredonia Arizona - map
Bill Hall Trailhead: Monument Point to the Esplanade
Start early in the morning, taking advantage of cooler temperatures for the 5.4 mile hike to the Esplanade. Once at Monument Point, locate the sign for the Bill Hall Trailhead and begin the hike. The descent is steep and in full sunlight. Be sure to carry enough water for the first day of hiking, cooking at camp and the strenuous downhill trip to Thunder Spring the following day. Initially, the trail descends but then begins a gradual climb up the ridge to the west. The path will eventually bring you to the southern slopes of the point. Looking south are views of Bridgers Knoll, the Colorado River and the Esplanade. The rock formations of the Esplanade are absolutely stunning showcasing expanses of slickrock, large smatterings of hoodoos and an ample display of weather cut canyons. Far below and to the southeast is Tapeats Creek and to the west is a glimpse of Deer Creek Canyon. After traversing to the west for a half-mile, you will find a weakness in the limestone cliff where a steep descent begins once again. A short section in this area might require the use of a rope to assist unsure hikers or to lower packs. Many switchbacks later, the trail dives into a final descent to the slickrock below. After passing the Indian Hollow Trail the dirt path changes into slickrock strewn with cairns. Hike across the rock for the next 3 miles, heading toward the descent trail into Surprise Valley. Cairns will generally mark the path across the Esplanade.
Camping on the Esplanade
Choose a previously used campsite and try not to disturb the ground and avoid all cryptobiotic soil. Campfires are not permitted.
Day Two - Thunder Spring - Thunder River
Hiking from the Esplanade to Thunder Spring promises a full day of adventure and exploring. Descend the steep path into Surprise Valley carefully since the foot path tends to be loose in places. The path is in full sun so carry plenty of water and, of course, take all empty containers to refill at the spring. After descending 1600' and doing a little over a mile of hiking you will arrive at upper Surprise Valley and the upper intersection to Deer Creek. A little farther down the trail is the lower intersection and trail to Thunder River. Once on top of the ridge, the scenery is amazing as Thunder Spring appears far below. The next half-mile and 400' descent is rough and steep, but the terrain is quickly forgotten when you see the rush of water cascading hundreds of feet through the rugged limestone.
Tapeats Creek - Continue a half-mile past the spring, contouring above Thunder River. The river will eventually flow into Tapeats Creek. From the junction of Tapeats Creek and Thunder River it is 2.5 miles to the Colorado River and the Tapeats Rapid. If you are lucky you may spot a river trip as it runs this exciting section of the river. You have now hiked half of the 25 mile round-trip this adventure entails and you have dropped 5250' since the start of the hike at the Bill Hall Trailhead. Allow plenty of time to head back to the spring and fill containers and to hike the 3 miles from Thunder Spring (2100' ascent) back to camp on the Esplanade.
Day 3 - Esplanade to the Bill Hall Trailhead
Again, leave camp early in the morning so the long, steep ascent to Monument Point is done during the cooler part of the day. Hiking back through the slickrock of the Esplanade gives a totally new perspective from the hike coming down just two days previous.
Remember to apply for your permit from the NPS as it is required for this adventure into Grand Canyon's backcountry.
Options:
Option - Continue past Thunder Spring and down Thunder River which flows into
Tapeats Creek. It is a 2.5 mile hike to the head waters of Tapeats creek which
are found in a cave. From the junction of Tapeats Creek and Thunder River its
2.5 miles downstream to the Colorado River. It's a 25 mile round trip hike (5250'
elevation change) from the Bill Hall Trailhead to the Tapeats Creek rapids.
Option - Camp at Surprise Valley for shorter day hikes, but a longer backpack
out on the final day.
Option - Stay another day and hike to Deer Springs, Deer Creek and the Colorado
River or stay on more level ground and explore around the Esplanade.
South Canyon
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