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Grand Canyon 2005
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Grand Canyon Backpack - Day 2
The Tonto: Hance Rapids to Hance Creek (Continued)
We continued on through some very nice trail (although I recall Shannon remarking on how rugged the trails in the Canyon were). The flowers were blooming, and there were tons of butterflies and ladybugs. At times it seemed like I was walking through someone's garden. The Canyon can look almost landscaped with its terraced walls, and in each layer are yellow flowering bushes, which seemed perfectly spaced. Mother Nature is the ultimate landscaper! Another noteworthy comment is that as I looked across the canyon to farther along the trail, it would look as though there was grass. The surface looked totally green, but as you would get closer, you would realize that it isn't grass at all, but the same green bushes that were around us. The Canyon is just so massive that things far away look much different then they actually are.
Hiking in Mineral Canyon
Brittlebush and Butte
Brian in Mineral Canyon.
We could still see our "Nipple Top" off in the distance, but it was getting closer all the time. After looking at his map Andrew pointed out that it was part of Hawkin's Butte (which it turns out, it wasn't, as it was actually behind Hawkin's Butte, and called Angel's Gate.) Moving towards and around these kinds of major landmarks, and seeing how our perspective of them changed, gave us a sense for the size of the Grand Canyon.
Lunch at Shady Overhang
Angel's Gate
Tapeats Cliffs
Toward the end of our Second day's hike, the skies opened up at times with rain (very briefly) and at one point we had hail! Fortunately, by the time we reached camp, everything was bone dry (although still very blustery, with strong wind gusts). Speaking of camp, our destination for the end of the second day was Hance Creek.
Cactus in Bloom
Hance Canyon and Angel's Gate
Angel's Gate
Hiking into Hance Canyon
Hiking into Hance Canyon (annotated)
Tonto in Hance Canyon
Hance Creek Campsite
Hance Creek
Our Hance Creek campsite
Interactive Trackmap with photo points - Red Canyon to Hance Creek Campsite - Click map to view
Interactive Trackmap with photo points - Red Canyon to Hance Creek Campsite - Click to view
Backpack Day 2: Hance Creek Campsite to Grapevine Canyon
Start Time: 8:10a.m.
End Time: 2:29p.m.
Duration: 6h19m
Distance: 9.71 km (6.04 mi)
Average Speed: 1.5 km/hr (1.0 mph)
Start Elevation: 2609ft (795m) *
Max Elevation: 3894ft (1187m) *
Min Elevation: 2607ft (795m) *
End Elevation: 3630ft (1106m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 1274ft (388m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 250ft (76m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
Stormy Weather
Shannon looks glum
Sunset on the Redwall
That night (the 2 nd night of the backpack) was probably the most tired I had felt. It was pretty chilly out (at least for my standards), so I was grateful for a hot (albeit dehydrated) dinner and a cozy sleeping bag. The dinner time conversation was a bit livelier this night than the previous as we settled into our new surroundings, and spent our time chatting and watching what I like to call the "back country t.v."...which were all the amazing views surrounding us.
Supper at Hance Creek
Water Pump Duty
Hance Creek Campsite
Video Clip: Hance Rapids to Hance Creek
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