Plateau Point, Grand Canyon

azbackpackr · Posted: 12/13/2010, 6:11 am Post subject: Plateau Point, Grand Canyon

Hiked the Bright Angel yesterday with my son and daughter, out to Plateau Point. So, chalk off one more South Rim trail I had not done, which was the Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto turnoff out to the point.

13.1 miles round trip.

It was a great day for the hike. Few tourists, thankfully. As most of you know, I generally avoid the BA and SK corridor like the plague. However, now that I am living in Flagstaff I will be able to day hike in the Canyon, just like yesterday! So, you will see me posting SK-Tonto-BA one of these days, since I have not hiked that section of Tonto. Also want to do Waldron-Dripping Springs and Shoshone Point.

Does anyone know if the section of Tonto that encircles Horseshoe Mesa can be done as a day hike from the rim? I can't seem to find any mileages for that loop. I guess I had better sit down with a guidebook and map.

MaxPower · Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 28 Location: Prescott, AZ

azbackpackr · Posted: 12/14/2010, 5:12 am Post subject:

Hey, thanks for that info! It would be a longish dayhike if the trails are rough, which I expect they are. I might do better and have more fun if I got a two night permit and either backpack the entire loop, or do it as a day hike starting from Horseshoe Mesa campsites. I have been to Horseshoe Mesa and Page Springs a couple of times, including approaching the area via New Hance-Tonto, so I am somewhat familiar with the east side.

Interestingly, over on HAZ there has been a big debate going on about some apparent misinformation printed in Backpacker Magazine regarding trail junctions in the HS area. And I notice that guidebook writer Ron Adkison's directions are very perfunctory "turn left, turn right" etc. and nothing about a steel rod in the ground. Someone likely has posted a GPS route as well. That could be helpful. Or not... Rolling Eyes

MaxPower · Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 28 Location: Prescott, AZ

I'd seen that little "firestorm" of a debate! Laughing

From my experience, the trail junctions, trail signage, and othe "ammenities" are about what you'd expect outside of the corridor trail area. Sometimes you just have to rely on a map, your intuition, and good old common sense. This isn't downtown Phoenix, with traffic lights and street signs. Half the fun is figuring out for yourself where you are and how to get around! Being spoonfed the directions from a magazine takes all of the pleasure out of it.

If you decide on a day hike and plan on doing a full or partial loop and are up for company, I have a fairly flexible hiking schedule. Being retired, I have plenty of time on my hands. Very Happy

I've never minded going over the same area multiple times either. I don't get tired of Grand Canyon hiking, and can usually discover something new, even on a route where I've been before. I do have some GPS tracks...not sure if I've uploaded them to the HAZ website though. I think in that area, I have the eastern loop, Page Springs around to Cave of the Domes trail, but am still lacking the Cottonwood Creek loop.

Edited: OK I did post a GPS route to the HAZ site for the eastern half of the Horseshoe Mesa loop. http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=9833
_________________
"Never take no cut-offs, and hurry along as fast as you can" -- Virginia Reed, surviving member of the Donner party

azbackpackr · Posted: 12/14/2010, 9:53 am Post subject:

Hey, yes, thanks! I would be interested in having company on that loop (or partial, if we end up thinking it is too long.) I will get back to you about it in January. I have kind of a flexible schedule, since I am employed only part-time and go to college mostly online. Right now, Jan 8th and 9th look to be free, but I can sometimes do weekdays as well. Weather is a consideration, of course.

So, let's chat about coming up with a specific day after New Years, shall we? I will be in the White Mtns. for a couple of weeks, starting this Sunday.

MaxPower · Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 28 Location: Prescott, AZ

Sure, that all sounds good to me! The only January weekend that is already filled on my calendar is the 15th-16th as I'll be in Phoenix for the PF Chang marathon. Otherwise, I'm good to go just about any day. Usually I try to pick a hike based around decent weather. The western side of the mesa would be a good loop. Daylight hours are limited, but at least you don't have the excessive heat and worrying about carrying too much weight in water. Other things I have yet to do in the area are checking out the caves, and scrambling to the top of the butte on the mesa itself!
_________________
"Never take no cut-offs, and hurry along as fast as you can" -- Virginia Reed, surviving member of the Donner party

azbackpackr · Posted: 12/14/2010, 10:37 am Post subject:

Well, sounds like a plan! Ok, back atcha in January. I keep hearing we may have a mild winter. (Only the old Navajo sheep camp folks are saying otherwise. We shall see who knows more about weather forecasting!)

A mild winter makes for good hiking, but lousy cross country skiing, and lousy river running in the spring, and a bad fire season in the summer... You just can't win, hoping for a mild winter...