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Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide
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If hiking and scrambling through a wet slot canyon to a waterfall in the Grand Canyon appeals to you, Saddle Canyon is your hike. This hike is accessed from a river rafting trip on the Colorado River. This canyon is located at river mile 47.5 on river right. Be Aware of: Hiking and wading in water. Some scrambling. Flash flood danger. This is an moderately difficult hike, primarily because of the skills needed to get to the waterfall. 35 yr old Recommendation: Walking and wading through water to get to remote waterfalls is nearly always worth the effort. This hike is no exception... well worth the effort. Elevation change: about 650 ft ascent to the waterfall
Distance: 1.6 miles round trip (to the waterfall and back) Time: It took us about three hours with a 30 minute stop at the waterfall. Time of year: When it isn't too uncomfortable (ie: cold) to be wet during the hike (Summer, early Fall). Solitude: This is a popular hike for river parties, expect to share it with another group. Map: Click here for map From either the upper or lower campsites at Saddle canyon, look West towards the canyon. On the left slope, you will see a trail that switchbacks up the left side of Saddle Canyon. This section marks most of the elevation gain of the hike. After about 400 ft of climbing, the trail flattens out and drops into Saddle Canyon. Soon the walls begin to narrow, and water appears, allowing for ferns and Ash trees to flourish. Continuing up the narrow slot, water wading will eventually become unavoidable. There is a tricky bouldering move to get around the first fall and you may need help from your friends to complete it safely. The extra effort is rewarded, as you are treated to a lovely waterfall and the turnaround point for the hike.
[boulder hopping in Saddle Canyon]
[ferns in the rapidly narrowing canyon]
[The waterfall at the turn around point of the Saddle Canyon hike]
[Scrambling in Saddle Canyon] We did this hike in October 2007.
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