New Hance Trail
In retrospect, the view from our camping spot below the redwall on the New Hance trail was the best of all the other options we had. Higher up the trail enters a narrow gully and the field of view is significantly narrower.
It rained at night. A steady moderate rain that got the dirt soaked really well. We waited for it to ease off before breaking camp and continuing up trail to the rim road 3500 ft. above.
Escalante Creek to New Hance Trail
Continuing along the Colorado River the trail first follows the rim of the Seventyfive Mile Creek and then drops in to return to the river. Seventyfive Mile Creek creates a fantastic slot canyon, cutting through striped layers of sedimentary rock.
Next Is Papago Creek. There is another steep cliff area along the river requiring climbing high up to get around it. There is a short class 3 climb made interesting when carrying a heavy pack. The last beach along the river is at Hance Rapid.
We filled up with Water for the night and made our way up the New Hance trail. We found a nice camping spot about 1500 ft up from the river.
Palisade Creek to Escalante Creek.
The hike down river from Palisade Creek is somewhat uneventful until one hits Cardenas Creek, but views of the river are fantastic. From there the trail climbs steeply bypassing an area where the river is protected by sheer cliffs and drops back to the river at Escalante Creek.
Beamer Trail to the confluence and back.
It is 6 miles from the Palisade Creek to the confluence of the Colorado River and the Little Colorado River. The trail travels up and down on cliffs with great views along the river. Except for the The Palisade Creek (at the beginning) and the Confluence (at the end), there is only one beach with access to the river about 1/4 of a mile before the Confluence. It seems to be a good place for hikers wishing to camp close to the Confluence, as there is no camping at the Confluence.
The Little Colorado River water are heavy with sediments and look turquoise compare to the blue-green water of the Colorado River. I understand that sometime the Colorado River water itself is heavy with sediments, but that is not the case today.
There were several a groups of rafters at the time, the rafts are visible in this image, but they are so small that it is hard to see giving an interesting scale.
The Tanner Trail, Lipan Point to Palisade Creek
Kai and I started down the Tanner trail. Finding the beginning of the trail at Lipan Point was not easy, It seems to start about 100 yards before the parking and there is no sign or anything that marks it. For the first mile or so there was significant of snow on the trail which was a challenge, but after that it was smooth going.
I stopped for lunch at the top of the red wall just before the trail turns and start a steep descent. The view was exceptional
From Tanner Beach we continued up the Colorado river to Palisade Beach where we spent the night.
On the Bluffs in Poipu
On the Bluffs in Poipu
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