Tanner Trail Trip Report II (rough notes)


Attendees: Robert Buhrman, Nicholas Turner, Larry Walker

Day 1: Saturday, May 23, 1998.
Started down trail about 1030. Reached saddle ridge at 1200. Took Nick back at 1230. Return to Buhrman at 1700. Saw nice little sidewinder rattler on saddle. Start to top of redwall at 1800. Stop at 1930 on top of redwall. Looks like from my notes, I'm still hung in the world of dollars and time.

Day 2: Sunday, May 24.
Start down to Tanner Rapids at 0900. Arrive 1130. Leave for Palisade Creek at 1300. With 1.5 hour nap, arrive at Palisade Creek at 1700. No water in creek.

Day 3: Monday, May 25.
Goof off day. Catch fish. See rattle snake - almost stepped on him! He was on my fishing rock. Hike up Palisade Creek. Rest lots. Talk to rafters. Private party from Idaho. Saw beautiful naked bathing girl. Buhrman has pictures. Had shrimp alfredo for dinner. Too much water, good taste; do noodles next time. Butter-scotch pudding. Crashed. Just after dark, kayaker saw snake while she was out peeing and screamed bloody murder. Caught 3 fish for breakfast.

Day 4: Tuesday, May 26.
Hike to Little Colorado River. Nice. Too many rafters there - none cute. Killer hike. 5 miles/3 hours (at least) each way. Beautiful hike. Little Colorado topaz like Havasupi. I guess that's why they're are the people of the blue-green water. Old miner's shack there. Natural arch there. Rafters float rapids on Little Colorado with life jackets over their butts with legs in arm holes. Nice (warmer) swimming. Odd clay/quick sand. Hot day walking back. Went fishing. Caught one, and threw him back. Saw another rattler - "too many @#$ %$#@ friends around here." Turkey night. Ravens attacked camp and pecked off Bob's pack cords on his pouches... and much more. They practically ate his tupperware. Caught another Rainbow Trout; put him back. Should eat these things, they're delicious. Saw another ratter. Peaceful here, good evening for star watching.

Day 5: Wednesday, May 27.
Walk to Tanner Rapids and half way 'round to Unkar (~2 more miles). Found nice secluded beach. Caught 3 more trout: 2 Rainbow, 1 Brown/Speckled. Released 'em. Layed on beach under make-shift lean-to's. Hot today. Had Spam and Ramens for dinner. Lots of Spam, Ramens good. Slept on beach.

Day 6: Thursday, May 28.
Wow, busy day! Caught 1 more monster Rainbow Trout. Walked nearly to Unkar Rapids. Found cool beach. Walk to indian ruins - shh! Just looked. Walked to top of redwall to start out - this was a killer walk! ~11 miles today in the heat. Beef stew was a great reward waiting at cache. One can not enough. Hot chocolate and tea great. Cold with sweating. Buhrman complains much.

Day 7: Friday, May 29.
Leave from top of redwall 0730 out by 1130. Did normal Grand Canyon village stuff: showers, eat, shop.

Stuff, Notes.
1. 28 washes to Little Colorado from Palisade Creek.
2. 4.5 hours from Tanner to top of redwall then 1.5 hours to saddle point.
3. This is a very rough trail/trip. Not too bad at our pace.
4. We saw lots (too many) rafters.
5. Backpack cappacino machine was cool: pretty strong brew, though.