East of Yaki Point and the South Kaibab Trail are several other overlooks along the South Rim Drive before the next hiking path into the canyon - Grandview Trail, which begins at Grandview Point, reached by a short spur road. This 7,400 foot promontory has fine views in all directions over many side ravines and cliffs around the Colorado River. The narrow, unmaintained trail is quite popular, especially for the first half mile or so but rather fewer people progress further.
Overview: After 3.2 miles and a descent of 2,600 feet the trail reaches a plateau beneath Horseshoe Mesa, location of several old mine workings. From here, 3 separate branches lead further into the main canyon, each intersecting different parts of the Tonto Trail which follows east-west above the river for over 100 miles. There is no easy route down to the Colorado until the Hance Trail, 8 miles further east, but the 3 paths allow for a loop hike around the mesa and there is a steep, difficult way to reach the river by climbing down Cottonwood Canyon, west of the mesa. The following description is for the hike to the plateau, which took me 3.5 hours there and back.
The Trail: The trail is consistently steep for the first mile, round the end of several small ridges with many switchbacks to a point between the head of a canyon leading west and a window in the cliffs allowing views east. Here a multilingual notice warns of the dangers of proceeding further if not adequately prepared. Beyond, the path is still steep and becomes gradually less shaded by trees, while following beneath a long sandstone ridge. Landslides have made some parts of the path rather precarious and further rock falls seem likely. Much of the foundations and supports of the path are unaltered since its construction in 1890.
Horseshoe Mesa: The gradient becomes less over a long straight section through the Supai Formation as the path approaches the flat area beneath Horseshoe Mesa. A 40 site primitive camping site is available for those on overnight trips. The plateau to the left falls away to the canyon formed by Cottonwood Creek and one branch of the trail descends here while to the east, the land is more steep and another branch switchbacks down the side of Hance Creek past Page Spring, a pretty tree-lined location and a reliable source of water. Around here is a mine shaft and various pieces of old rusting equipment.
Rocks: The plateau has an old stone cabin and several mine shafts and associated machinery. Occasionally the rocks have interesting colors including some bright turquoise patches, evidence of the copper that was excavated in this area at the end of the nineteenth century. Further up the path are many small bands of chalcedony, the same mineral that is found in petrified wood.
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