South Bass Trail

South Bass Trail is a remote out-and-back from the west rim to the Colorado River at Bass Canyon. Plan on 15 miles round trip, or about 7.5 miles each way; published estimates vary from about 14.3 to 15 miles, so use 15 for planning. The trail drops roughly 4,400 feet from the rim to the river, then asks you to climb it all back. Allow about 10 to 12 hours with stops. This suits experienced canyon hikers ready for a long, steep day, not a quick viewpoint walk. Day hiking needs no backcountry permit; overnight camping does.

The first miles pass through Kaibab and Toroweap rock, along an old fence and the Coconino rim, then down rocky switchbacks to the Esplanade at about 1.4 miles. At the large cairn, stay right on South Bass: the Royal Arch Route branches west. The trail crosses the open terrace east of Mount Huethawali for about a mile before a steep break leads down the Supai ledges toward Bass Canyon. This is the route's broad-view stretch; take a breath here before the long descent.

Below the Esplanade, the trail rounds a promontory and drops toward the canyon bed, then works through Redwall and Tonto Group slopes. It leaves the drainage, climbs the slopes east of it, and returns to the canyon just above the Tonto Trail junction, marked by large cairns. Below that junction, South Bass crosses and recrosses the drainage around rock obstacles. This lower section can be confusing. Keep close to the canyon bed where the terrain allows and pay attention at each cairn rather than hurrying through.

Rockfall blocks the direct route at the mouth of Bass Canyon. Watch for the trail leaving the drainage at a large cairn: the marked shortcut drops through a rocky ravine and is tedious underfoot. A gentler way down continues west for a couple of minutes and reaches the river opposite an old fireplace. On the beach, look for the abandoned Ross Wheeler above the high-water line. River runner Bert Loper built the boat; it was left here in 1915 and named for a murdered friend.

There is no dependable water on the route until the Colorado River, and the river can be silty and difficult to treat. The open Esplanade and long inner-canyon stretches offer little shade, so heat makes the climb out especially serious. The 4,400-foot elevation change is only the headline: the route also rises and falls around the canyon. Ordinary pets are not allowed below the rim; service animals are handled under separate park rules. Overnight hikers need a backcountry permit; the Bass Canyon use area has at-large sites on the Esplanade, Tonto Platform and river beach.

The trailhead is roughly 30 miles northwest of Grand Canyon Village. The published approach follows Rowe Well Road and rough Forest Road 328 to the Havasupai boundary, then describes a seven-mile walk to the trailhead. Confirm the current legal approach and any crossing fee with Grand Canyon and Havasupai officials before the trip. High clearance is recommended; four-wheel drive may be needed when the road is muddy.