Grand Canyon Hiking SenorYermo.com

Length: Given its demanding vertical nature, trail mileages in GC can be misleading, because hiking times here are consistently longer than most terrain found elsewhere.  As with many GC trails, the different guide sources available report the length of this trail anywhere between 7.8 and 10.4 miles.  This seems to be a rather large discrepancy in our opinion, we think it’s probably closer to 8.5 miles long.

Hiking Times: Average times descending are 1 hour from the trailhead to 75-Mile saddle, 1.75 hours from 75-Mile saddle to the top of the Redwall, and 2.75 hours from the top of the Redwall to the Colorado River.  Average times ascending are 3.5 hours from the Colorado River to the top of the Redwall, and 2.5 hours from the top of the Redwall to the trailhead.

Water: Unless you’re lucky enough to be hiking right after a storm (and even then, potholes are few and far between), the only available water is at the Colorado River.

Campsites: The Tanner Trail use area is at-large camping. There are several sites starting near the saddle at 75-Mile Canyon and through the Supai. There is a great site atop the Redwall and another at its base. A couple marginal sites exist between here and The River, but seem pointless given the plentiful sites at Tanner Beach.

Reflections and Attractions: Being the first of the day to cut the trail and ascend the Toroweap and Coconino layers in a fresh blizzard is an interesting experience. Great views from 75-Mile saddle and Stegosaurus Rock. The Supai campsite below Escalante Butte has a large overhanging boulder providing perfect shelter during a storm, if you don’t mind packrats. The Redwall camp has incredible views and is a good place to cache water for return trip. Descending the Dox layer is long, awkwardly slanted, and shadeless. Tanner Beach area is wonderful for lounging, exploring, fishing, etc.

Warnings and Musings: Tanner Trail is long and brutal during the hot season. Get some easier GC experience under your belt before trying this one, we’ve personally witnessed 3 first-timers get their butts kicked on this trail.