Tanner Trail

Description:

• The Tanner Trail is the easternmost rim to river trail on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The route leads ten miles from Lipan Point along the western ridge of Tanner Canyon to the Colorado River. It provides access to the Beamer Trail, which leads northward along the Colorado River to the Little Colorado River. This route is not well maintained but it is used by many people everyday, which has worn a distinguishable tread through the canyon. It loses 4,620 feet en route to the Colorado River.

  Begin this trail from the Lipan Point access road nearly two miles west of the East Entrance Station of the park. The trail begins from the eastern side of the road immediately before the loop to the point begins. It leads eastward then descends northward using switchbacks. Turning slightly eastward again the trail follows a narrow ridge to a saddle. It crosses the saddle and contours eastward then westward around the eastern base of Escalante Butte. Immediately past this formation the track leads into the head of Tanner Canyon, contours the eastern base of Cardenas Butte, then arcs northward along a ridge.

  At this point the trail descends steeply to the east using a series of switchbacks. Reaching 4,800 feet the trail turns northward and follows the crest of a ridge two miles. Near the end of the ridge, at 3,200 feet, the trail bears right and leaves the ridge descending to the river. Ten miles from Lipan Point the trail reaches the only reliable water source along the route, the Colorado River. From this point hikers can follow the Beamer Trail eastward along the river or turn left along the Escalante Route. The Escalante Route is not maintained and a map and compass and the skills to use them are necessary to find this tread.
  

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