Finding America: Horseshoe Mesa Loop
The Grand Canyon: Horseshoe Mesa Loop 12.7 (my mileage: 17.5). Elv. gain 4,002
Early morning start
Horseshoe Mesa Loop- Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/horseshoe-mesa-loop-via-grandview-and-tonto-trail
I was looking to get a more immersive hike into the canyon. After discussing options with a Ranger, I decided on this loop since it was more remote than the ever popular South Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail.
The combination of the wild, remote landscape and the historical Last Chance Mine and trail work sounded like the perfect trip. Although water needs would take careful consideration. The temps were expected to be in the 90’s, although I’m not sure it reached that, but still it was pretty warm.
The Last Chance Mine https://grcahistory.org/history/logging-mining-and-ranching/mining/last-chance-mine/ played a big part in the experience. The remote nature of the mine, not to mention the trail built to move the copper ore up out of the mine is hard to imagine the contruction in the late 1800’s!
DAY 1
A little bit of street/landscape photography
This couple found a great sunrise spot!
Horseshoe Mesa, just right of the prominent feature
Horseshoe Mesa mid-center
Descending the steep upper switchbacks
Mules with 200 lbs. of Ore and supplies, not to mention tourists riding mules used these pathways. Amazing!
Not that way…
Remnants of the cook house
Looking Northwest from Camp 1 on the Mesa
View East from Camp 1
DAY 2
Last Chance Mine. Pretty sketchy even with some trail rebuilding. Switchback, no guard rails
However when you do stop and look out from the trail toward the bottom of the canyon, you have views
One of many mines in the area
I would have loved to see this in operation
Mostly a reminder to myself. I do go into hyper focus mode when it counts. Fortunately, I saved the slip after I had passed the sketchy upper sections. How’s your First Aid kit set up?
On my way to a side trip to Hance Creek to get water for the day
Looking towards the Colorado River below (out of view) on the plateau below the Horseshoe Mesa
Looking back up towards the Horseshoe Mesa. I am about halfway on my hike at this point.
Camp 2. Windy night! My tent blew down 3 times before I could move in! It barely made it standing until morning. The ground was so firm in the area that it required piled rocks on the guylines to keep it up. I have already made more plans to come up with another tent option using my prior tent fly and bivy sack combination. More on that later!
Climbing up and out of Cottonwood Creek. View looking back towards Camp 2 below and out of view right.
Rejoining the path up, looking down.
Nearing the top. Imagine this being built over 100 years ago!
More info on the mining history in the Grand Canyon: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/historyculture/miners.htm