Walker's Misadventures

Attendees: Marty Pietz, Larry Walker

Day 1: Saturday, May 28, 1994. Start 0800.
Arrive 1830 WHEW! This trail is not terrible, but it is fairly long (~10 miles) and continually downhill. The switchbacks weren't laid out properly, so the descents were quick. This continuous "down, down, down" wreaks havoc on your feet and joints. As can be seen by our start and stop times, we strolled at a leisurely pace (and Marty's blisters were killing him). We've seen 5 people (2 groups) here. Hopefully we won't see them again. The river is terrific and tremendous as always. The sweet and sour shrimp has still not been perfected, but it filled a void. The mice liked it. Lots of mice. Stars unbelievable. Tanner Rapids are fast, but not too rough. We passed a packless party on their way out. It took them 4 hours to go from rim to river, and 1.5 hours to get back to the lower switch back redwall. It was in the 90's for the high temp, and probably in the 30's or 40's for the low.

Day 2: May 29. Arise 0530. Temp ~58°F.
Off "towards" the Little Colorado. It seems we never get out of sight of the "tower". It's like being in a Tolkein novel. Leave for Palisades Creek ~0830 arrive at "island" ~1000. It will take 2-3 hours to get to Palisades Creek from Tanner Rapids. Set up on inner side of "island" area. Day hiked to Palisades Creek, and checked out a neat box canyon. Lava Creek was flowing. Met GDR Girl Brigette (Bairget) on her way to Tanner Rapids. She's been studying air quality and water quality in canyon for ~1 yr. What a job!? She says it will take 4 hours to walk from Palisades Creek to the Little Colorado River. And some other guys say it's about 4.5 miles to Sipapoo(?) area after that. With that in mind, and Marty's feet, we elect to just idle in the Palisades Creek area for the day. Not enough time to do what we want. Saw Kayak cruise (~7 kayaks and 2 supply rafts) pull in this afternoon; assumably stopping for the night. Bats, stars, canyon, river all wonderful. Spaghetti perfect - 1.5 Ramens per person. All is well. Sleep great. ~105°F temp today. Man it's a cooker!

Day 3: May 30. Arise 0530
Head back to Tanner Rapids. Saw people on north side of Colorado River way up on cliffs. Realize bologna barge let them off at easy trail up cliff. Man I want to ride this river! Hang out at Tanner Rapids all day: arrive ~1000. Squirrels are beasts here along with mice. Chewed hole in trash and Marty's pack. Goofed off watching rafters (bologna, kayak, dorrey) float through all day. Too many people here. Headed out ~1750 to bottom of redwall. Arrive ~2030. This is a very strenuous hike! Had turkey and stuffing. Great meal! Right amount. Slept terrible - uneven ground. Got sprinkled on - thought it was going to pour.

Day 4: May 31. Arise 0445.
Pull out ~0630. Man is this a tough trail. Marty and I both agree this is the toughest hike in the canyon that we have done. Bottom to top of redwall - 50 minutes. Beautiful hike out - though tough. See 2 green horns from North Carolina coming down. Oooooweeee, these guys are going to be hurting. At top at 1130. 8 hours from bottom to top - what a haul. Cached water a necessity. Glad we had cloud cover most of the way.

Overall.
Good trip. Wish we had more time and saw less people. Do not hike this trail at night or in rain. There is lots of exposure in certain areas along the trail. Cut you toe nails. Get ready for sore feet and legs. As we know, Grand Canyon is the superbowl of hiking, and one of the most beautiful spectacles around. Lots of tour planes in the air.

Last Note.
We decided to re-name most of the features and indeed the whole trail. The trail, of course sarcastically, should be named Twinkle trail instead of Tanner trail. The 2 switchbacks should be Lollipop and Stay Puff Marshmallow switchbacks (or something).