Monday May 29, 19.1mi/30.7km
Tanner Rapids (602.3/2720ft) to Hance Creek (618.2/3680ft) (AZ) + 2.7mi GPS correction +0.5mi water detours
We started hiking at 6am to avoid the heat, and the morning was nice and cool. The Colorado River was still very loud as we passed by the rest of Tanner Rapids.
The first hour of hiking was easy and flat along the river, and slowly the sun started to creep down the cliffs.
We stopped at Cardenas rapids to get more water, which of course was ice cold. Yesterday the ranger told us the water was 46F/8C.
Most of today was on the Escalante Trail. Unlike the Beamer Trail, this one wandered all over the valley, and seldom stayed near the Colorado River. Pretty soon we were high about the river.
The Colorado River did a huge 180° turn, and we had a neat perspective looking straight down the river.
I started seeing cacti that had both green and purple lobes… weird.
We hiked towards this cliff for a long time, I knew we were not going up the cliff, but I was curious where the trail was going to go.
At the last minute it did a hairpin turn and we were back out in the sunshine. Looking back on the Colorado River:
Looking ahead:
I found another lizard that was posing for me!
Eventually the trail descended back down to the Colorado River, and we got more water. Seventyfive Mile rapids looked pretty huge.
Then we hiked uphill again, and dropped into the canyon for Seventyfive Mile Creek. Shadow coming down one of the steep parts:
This flower was huge!
The canyon immediately became a narrows and it was really fun to walk through.
It was nice and cool inside.
At one point it got really skinny!
We arrived back out to the Colorado River, and there was a short section that was blocked by water.
We discussed swimming the short distance, but the back current was a little too strong for comfort. So we had to scramble up and over the cliff instead.
That chimney was not the correct way, but eventually we found an easier way that was steep but possible. Up on top of the cacti were huge.
The descent back to the river was down a loose steep gully of talus. Gross.
At least the view was pretty good.
It took us half an hour to get down the gully without knocking rocks on each other.
Then we had a nice flat mile long walk right along the Colorado river.
It was even in the shade!
At this point, the Escalante route ended, and we picked up a new trail called the Tonto trail. We departed the Colorado River for good this time, and climbed high above towards the plateau.
We surprised a huge pack of animals, and they made a ton of noise as they ran away.
After 2 hours of slowly climbing uphill 1500feet, we arrived at our planned campsite at Hance Creek. It was beautiful!
We made dinner while we listened to the birds and frogs all around us. Amazing! Tomorrow is supposed to be another hot day so we will start early again, to avoid the heat!