New Hance Trail – March 2005
Subscribe to SenorYermo via emailDay 1 – New Hance Trailhead to Red Canyon Redwall:
Diabetes Sucks.
The original itinerary for this trip was to exit via Horseshoe Mesa. However, landslides have seriously damaged the Grandview Trail, and the Service is prompted to officially change our plan. The new hike will be from Red Canyon to Hance Creek and back.
From the trailhead it is a slow, jittery descent to below the Coronado Butte saddle. Pablito is suffering from some diabetic complications so we take a break at the Redwall overlook.
The traverse around the debris field towards the Redwall is somewhat tedious. An hour since the last break, D.K. and I wait for Pablito who is obviously struggling. It takes him a half hour to catch up, and it’s getting late. We have a decision to make, although it’s obvious this whole trip is probably screwed. Pablito’s in no shape to continue, so in the interest of safety we backtrack to a dry campsite south of the overlook. There is a pothole near camp with about two quarts of water that we take advantage of. Winds are howling all night.
Day 2 – Above Redwall in Red Canyon to New Hance Trailhead:
A shameful exit.
Our trip has been derailed so we sleep in, and then lethargically prepare for an assault on the rim that nobody is anxious to complete. The ascent through the Supai and Coconino is painfully steep. In my opinion and in terms of difficulty ascending, New Hance is second only to Boucher of all the South Rim trails.
We spend the night near Flagstaff, thankfully under a roof, and take some solace for not being in The Canyon as a huge snowstorm rolls through northern Arizona.
To see more pictures from this trip click here.
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