Hance Creek Trail

The trail drops quickly from Grandview Point on steep, eroded tread. Log crib steps and sloping ledges are built into the cliff, and a fall here can have catastrophic consequences, especially when the rock is wet or icy. In the Coconino section, the old cobbled tread is made from large sandstone slabs set on edge. At Coconino Saddle, where Coconino Sandstone meets Hermit Shale, the view opens east into the upper Hance Creek valley. Take a look back at the route: those tight switchbacks show just how much height you have lost.

Below the saddle, steep switchbacks descend through Hermit Shale to the gentler traverse toward Horseshoe Mesa. This is where the hike's historic mining story becomes visible. Grandview began as a miners' route to copper deposits; in 1893 mule trains started carrying ore to the rim along the rough track then called the Berry Trail. The turquoise-colored stones are copper ore, and the old mine remains and equipment are protected. Do not enter mine openings or take artifacts.

From the mesa, the east-side route toward Hance Creek is especially exposed. Loose footing and steep drops continue through the Redwall descent, and not every junction has a sign. Page Spring is a signed side trip; continue toward Hance Creek for the longer outing. The Coconino Saddle view is the best place to frame the trail with the valley below it, rather than photographing only the distant canyon.

There is no maintained drinking water on the trail, and springs below the mesa can be unreliable. The park lists Hance Creek as a year-round source, but treat all natural water. Page Spring has been flagged for high arsenic, so do not drink it untreated. Carry enough water for the rim-to-mesa stretch and check current water conditions before starting.

Start at the Grandview Point parking area off Desert View Drive, about 12 miles east of Grand Canyon Village; use the upper lot for overnight parking. The route drops roughly 3,700 feet from the rim to Hance Creek, then makes you climb that height back up the same steep trail. Allow about 10 to 12 hours for the full Hance Creek trip. Winter and early-spring ice can make the upper ledges dangerously slick. Pets are not allowed below the rim; a backcountry permit is required for overnight camping, not for this day hike.