Grand Views Return

Great news for backcountry enthusiasts! The Grandview Trail is scheduled to reopen in early October. Last fall a large swath of this historic trail was all but erased by a storm-sparked landslide. The park service trail crew began repairs immediately. The three-mile long Grandview Trail leads to Horseshoe Mesa, home to a dry limestone cave (Cave of the Domes), remains of a vintage copper mine, and views without rival.

The Grandview Trail is a favorite for intermediate backpackers looking for access to such jewels as Grapevine and Hance Canyons. Long before the Grandview Trail, native peoples had been accessing the Canyon in this area for millennia as it provides straightforward (if not harrowing) passage from a number of spots along the South Rim.

About Mike Buchheit

Mike Buchheit was the director of the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute for over 25 years, a professional landscape photographer and instructor, a freelance travel writer, and a popular lecturer on a wide variety of Grand Canyon-related topics. As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he called home.

As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he calls home. You can see some of his beautiful work on his Grand Canyon Prints website.