South Bass Trail

Description:

• This trail lies in the western portion of the Grand Canyon outside of the well-trodden Grand Canyon Village. It leads seven and a half miles northward crossing a wide plateau and descending Bass Canyon to reach the river. Across the Colorado River the North Bass Trail ascends to the north rim of the canyon. There is no bridge or easy way to span the river. This route can be used in conjunction with the Tonto Trail to reach the Boucher or Hermit Trails.

  Begin this route from the end of Forest Service Road 2515 at an elevation of 6,646 feet. The trail leads eastward descending along the upper striations of the canyon for almost one half mile. Reaching an elevation of 6,140 feet, the track begins a steep descent along a series of switchbacks that follow the eastern side of a drainage leading into Garnet Canyon.

  Approximately one mile from the top of the switchbacks the trail reaches the wide platform of the Esplanade sandstone and a trail junction. The elevation of this junction is 5,360 feet. Turn right and follow the trail northeastward to a small drainage. Cross this waterway and descend along a set of switchbacks to the Darwin Plateau.

  At the bottom of this second set of switchbacks the trail turns sharply eastward and contours the western wall of Bass Canyon for a half mile. It then turns sharply southward and leads a half mile traverse that descends through the upper reaches of the canyon. Turning sharply again the track descends to the drainage of Bass Canyon. Upon reaching the waterway through the canyon the trail begins to descend less steeply.

  The trail leads one and three-quarter miles through the canyon to meet the Tonto Trail at 3,200 feet. The trail descends through Bass Canyon for another mile before turning northward and leaving the drainage. The trail reaches the Colorado River west of Bass Rapids, and seven miles from the trailhead.