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| Backpack | 18.60 Miles |
6,511 AEG |
| | Backpack | 18.60 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 6,511 ft AEG | | 35 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Day 1: Down Tanner to Beamer to a camp about 1 mile east on Beamer.
We originally were going to go to Utah to explore some canyons. But the rain/snow in the forecast caused us to change our plans. We don't mind weather in the GC so away we went...
We stayed the night before in Flagstaff after Joel picked me up from PHX. We drove up to the park and went to the backcountry office to obtain permits for anything we could get. There weren't many choices left since its April and Spring break. We were able to get Tanner/Beamer. Normally, I like to read up about any trip before going but there wasn't time. I realize now that we miss a couple of things like the Beamer Cabin.
The first mile was pretty steep, just as I remembered from Thanksgiving. We had a break at the 75 Mile Canyon saddle for lunch. Now this view is more meaningful since I've been on the mouth end of the canyon via the Escalante route. What an amazing side canyon! It was pretty windy but well worth the view. I love the fact that some day 75 mile will be a stream pirate!
We went along the transverse. Then we dropped down a ways to a saddle and had a break. After this I started to discover the effects of spring in the Grand Canyon. Prickly pair flowers, Mormon tea flowers, Indian Paint brush, and more! The flowers energized me and made the rest of the journey down less tedious.
We got to the junction with the Beamer trail and we went along there about a mile to find a camp. Finding a camp was a bit difficult. This part of the canyon isn't as popular so there wasn't many routes off to campsites. We did finally find a nice flat area next to a few mesquite. There were very few signs of humans in the area. I did find some recent footprints on the beach. Perhaps a raft party had checked the area out?
Stars were pretty good that night. I used one of my star apps on my iPhone to learn some new stars.
Since we were camped on sand we noticed that sand was getting everywhere. It does seem nearly impossible to camp near the river without getting a great exfoliation. I'd put on sunblock or lotion and feel the gentle scrubbing that the canyon's sand provides! Grand Canyon Spa!!!!
Day 3:
During our last night, it rained. Luckily the duct tape held (read my Beamer triplog) and I didn't get wet! By the time we got up the rain had moved on. We could see what looked like rain/snow going up Tanner.
The weather was helpful when it came to pictures. Numerous clouds with different shades of colors made for nice photos. The flowers were also still nice!
The first of the climbs seemed relatively easy. I wasn't going really fast which probably helped. Soon, we were treated to some snow flurries along with some wind as we got closer to the 75 mile Canyon saddle.
The last mile about broke me! Before leaving the 75 Mile canyon saddle I looked up at the Rim above and thought it seemed nearly impossible! Anyway, it's not like I could just quit and since I'm writing this I obviously made it! Later, we read one of hiking books which said that it's beat to split the trip up Tanner into two days. Oh well!
The only miserable part of the trip was the fact that somehow my pack rubbed my lower back to the point of oozing. It made carrying my heavy pack a bit painful. If only I had a clue as to why this happened! Maybe my hip belt wasn't tight enough...
Anyway, goodbye Grand Canyon until next time! I'm glad to report that this completed my 5th backpacking trip to the river! |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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