The New Hance trail, Grand Canyon.

[Mariner4]

Hi guys I am new here.

The thing is that I've been to GC three times, all of them in the South Rim, did the grandview, bright angel and south kaibab, but this New Hance trail seems pretty misterious to me since it doesn't seem too popular. I am considering doing it next summer. Anyone has experience on this one?.

Best.

[DuctTape]

There's a reason it doesn't seem too popular - I think it's the toughest trail from the south rim. Steep and difficult to follow in some places because of rock slides - some route-finding ability is necessary. It feels very remote, and you don't have quite as many wide-open views as the corridor trails and Grandview.

Surely challenging, but definitely doable as long as you're more prepared than I was when I did it :-)
http://www.downthetrail.com/grand-canyon/the-new-hance-trail/

You have GC experience, so why not go for it.

Also consider the Tanner Trail - it's a more scenic, more enjoyable option, that I think makes a better step up in challenge from Grandview to New Hance... but Tanner gets extremely hot in summer, moreso than most other trails.

Hermit is another good one to consider, though a bit more crowded than New Hance and Grandview.

[Mariner4]

OMG, you ruined my trip with those nice pics :lol: !!

Everything I've read about New Hance or heard is the same as you said. It must be a tough one when many other people think the same. But definitely the red color of the red canyon makes me wonder if it is worthy. I think this should be my next challenge in GC. Did you use a detailed topo map? GPS?. Is the trail marked with cairns or something like that in any of the parts?. You said the most difficult part to follow is the Red Canyon one right?. How did you see the paths going out the Canyon?.

Nice website!!!

Best,

[NMOutdoor]

YES! Spectacular, Duct! Dan

[DuctTape]

The only navigation I had was a general grand canyon trails map. For much of the way the path is clear to follow, and the places where it is not are (mostly) marked with cairns. In some areas there are too many cairns, which actually does more harm than good. In at least one location the trail is obliterated by a major rockslide, and you have to find where it connects on the far side.

Once you reach the bed of Red Canyon it's evident that you just follow the drainage the rest of the way to the river, but there are two major pouroffs that have to be bypassed via paths on the rim of the drainage. These paths are marked with sometimes indiscriminate cairns and can be easy to miss. If you miss one of these paths it becomes evident when you reach a 30 foot cliff for example and have to backtrack to find the way around it.

I thought that the trail was harder to follow on the return ascent. I missed the place it leaves red canyon for the last time, and had some trouble locating it. Next time I'm on the trail I'll definitely take a good mental note of this location. When going uphill it's an easy mistake to keep going straight ahead when the trail switches back behind you - I caught myself a few times doing this.

I hadn't done my reseach or read any good trail descriptions before I did it, so that obviously factors into my perception of its difficutly, as well as not having adequate water. New Hance just requires more concentration and sometimes use of your hands as opposed to the corridor superhighways.