Grand Canyon
Expert Tours
Jump Up Narrows - June 1-3
Price - $400 per person
Jump Up Narrows is located outside of Grand Canyon National Park in Kanab Creek Wilderness. This is one of the best kept secrets in the region. Come explore this fascinating and beautiful landscape with us!
Day 1 - June 1
On this day we will meet at the North Rim Visitor Center at 8:00am for greetings, coffee, and gear check. Then we will drive together (in my vehicles) about 1.5hrs to Sowats Point where our trail begins- The Jump Up-Nail Trail. Then we will begin our descent into the Canyon. Today's hike will be relatively easy. We'll be going downhill about 4mi and 2,000ft. This trail is incredibly scenic with excellent views of the Grand Canyon below. Along the way we will break several times to discuss the geologic features around us. We will reach our camp still relatively early in the afternoon. this will provide us time to relax in the beauty of the canyon to have a meal and then take a short walk into nearby Sowats Canyon. Sowats Canyon is a wonderful slot canyon with a babbling creek, overhanging cliffs, hanging gardens full of wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. We will spend time there photographing and discussing this rare riparian environment. Then we will head back to camp and settle in for the night.
Day 2 - June 2
Today we will be hiking about 12mi round-trip. It is a relatively easy hike though with minimal elevation change. We will be able to leave a lot of our equipment behind because we are returning to the same camp. Our packs will be lighter and more comfortable today. We'll be hiking in a creek bed for about 3.5mi until the canyon starts to narrow into the area called "Jump Up Narrows" - an incredible slot canyon. The sandstone walls make for a wonderful photo opportunity. The walls are so narrow that only a fraction of light gets in creating wonderous glows in the red rocks and a powerful photographic effect. We'll wonder a couple more miles through this maze of rock-walled solitude. There I will discuss the creation of what we are seeing and the unique wildlife around us. Then we will head back to camp.
Day 3 - June 3
Today we will make our way back to Sowats Point, hiking uphill about 4mi and 2,000ft. (picture from camp to left) This can be a strenuous hike but we will take our time and soak up the scenery alonng the way. Once we reach the top we'll drive back to the North Rim Visitor Center and say goodbye. The hike should take 4-6hr depending on the individual and then the drive is 1.5hrs.
More pictures of this area of the canyon below. However, I've left out pictures of the actual narrows...I want this to be a surprise:
