Sowats Backpack 2017
Kanab Canyon is one of the major side canyons on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Eastern tributaries include Jumpup, Sowats, Kwagunt, and Ojojojo Canyons. Western tributaries include Hack Canyon and Scotty's Hollow. Access is easier from the East. Eight of us did a 6-day backpack starting and ending at Sowats Point. The night before, we camped only 150 feet from the rim where we had a 270 degree view. Only at the North Rim can you find places like this. The following morning, Oct 16 2017, we hiked down to a camp site in Sowats Canyon and spent 2 nights there. We then moved our camp about 6 miles to Ojojojo Canyon and spent 3 more nights. We did day hikes the other 3 days.
The Itinerary was as follows.
Day 1 - 6 miles - Backpack to a campsite in Sowats Canyon at Sheep Mountain Spring.
Day 2 - Layover day with a loop day hike past the Jumpup.
Day 3 - 7 miles - Backpack to a campsite near water at the mouth of Ojojojo Canyon where it meets Indian Hollow.
Day 4 - Layover day with day hike to climb Racetrack Knoll.
Day 5 - Layover day with day hike to Kanab-Sowats confluence.
Day 6 - 6 miles - Backpack back to Sowats Point.
It is about 50 miles from the town of Fredonia to the Sowats Point Trailhead. Follow Road 22 south just east of Fredonia. The first part is paved, the second part is good gravel, and the last part is high clearance gravel. In good conditions, a passenger car can do the entire drive but in muddy conditions, the last part is not passable. Most of the route is in the Kanab Creek Wilderness. Indian Hollow Canyon is the Grand Canyon NP boundary.
Our group consisted of Ron Bartell, Christine Mitchell, Greg and Mirna Roach, Terry and Bruce Turner, Rena, and I
Read MoreDay 1 - 6 miles - Backpack to a campsite in Sowats Canyon at Sheep Mountain Spring.
Day 2 - Layover day with a loop day hike past the Jumpup.
Day 3 - 7 miles - Backpack to a campsite near water at the mouth of Ojojojo Canyon where it meets Indian Hollow.
Day 4 - Layover day with day hike to climb Racetrack Knoll.
Day 5 - Layover day with day hike to Kanab-Sowats confluence.
Day 6 - 6 miles - Backpack back to Sowats Point.
It is about 50 miles from the town of Fredonia to the Sowats Point Trailhead. Follow Road 22 south just east of Fredonia. The first part is paved, the second part is good gravel, and the last part is high clearance gravel. In good conditions, a passenger car can do the entire drive but in muddy conditions, the last part is not passable. Most of the route is in the Kanab Creek Wilderness. Indian Hollow Canyon is the Grand Canyon NP boundary.
Our group consisted of Ron Bartell, Christine Mitchell, Greg and Mirna Roach, Terry and Bruce Turner, Rena, and I
