Day 3 – Part II – The Confluence – Grand Canyon NP – 2025

Short afternoon hike back to camp.

Doing a little cliff walking on the way back to Tanner Rapids.

Day 3 Part II February 17, 2025, Palisades Creek to Tanner Rapids, 6 km, 55 m ascent, 60 m descent, 1 hrs 50 min.

Micah cleaning up the campsite as we prepared to leave.

Six minutes later our packs were on and we were all ready to go. 3:40 pm.

This was a very silent hike. I had mentally checked out as we descended the Tapeats Sandstone cliffs on the way back to the camp in the Enchanted Forest and my nap had nothing to rejuvenate me physically or mentally. I was just really tired from my lack of physical preparation for the trip and now I was going to hike into the sun through a breezeless overheated desert. I shifted to Zombie Mode and just tried to keep moving and keep Micah in sight. It must have been pretty effective strategy since we averaged over 4 kph for the bulk of the hike.

Despite my lack of energy I still managed to take some photos.

The low angled sun really brought out the colour in the rocks.

Micah is approaching a little junction. There are two options. There is a trail that goes up an over or one that drops back down to the river. We stayed near the river.

This section of trail was a little rubbly.

Just crossing a wash. This section of the Beamer Trail was not quite as intense as the morning section.

The expansive views of the eastern Grand Canyon. Can just make out Desert View on the rim.

Micah pointing out Desert View. It looks so far away.

This is biological soil crust. These black mounds are living organisms. In desert environments hikers are asked to stick to existing trails to avoid damaging the living organisms in the crust that can take decades to regenerate after just one errant foot step. To learn more visit NPS article at Biological Soil Crust of Southeast Utah.

We had been hiking for 1hr 10 min and had covered 4 km. At this point we have just under 2 km left to hike but it will slower progress as the trail takes us up along the cliffs at riverside. It took us about 35 minutest to complete the hike.

The trail was well worn here making for fast walking.

Shooting photos into the sun is not usually a good idea. The Tanner Rapids are not too far away now. Micah is on the cliffs near the left edge of the photo.

When you don’t shot into the sun the photos are more vivid. Me on trail. Actually smiling.

Coming around another cliffside trail. The trail is quite wide with great traction.

A little side canyon. Reminiscent of earlier today.

My shadow. Onto the Tanner Trail. Just a couple more minutes to go.

We rolled into camp at 5:20 pm. Our day was done. As long as you don’t count setting up the tent, making dinner and prepping for tomorrow. We set up camp just off to the side of the trail at a secluded spot that we had spied yesterday. There were three other tents in the area. Micah spoke to a couple of hikers from the group they said that were heading west to hike the Escalante Route.

Twenty minutes later we are all set up. I am guessing we have the inside set up as well so we can just go to bed without fussing. 6:40 pm.

Micah captured the setting sun shining on the distant cliffs. We are already finished setting up camp and are getting ready to prepare dinner. I am on the very right of the photo wearing my orange puffy carrying my water bladder.

Comanche Point. Our tent is through the little natural archway on the other side of the wash and immediately to the left.

Time for some quiet contemplation and refection.

It was a very relaxing evening spent by the rapids. I found the sound of tumbling water to be calming which was something I needed at this point. We did not see much of the other campers. We headed to bed after the sun disappeared as we had started to get chilly. It was the end of spectacular day. We had seen and done a lot. I cannot say it wasn’t a challenging day but it was a good day.

Day 4 – The Confluence

The Confluence Home