On Horseshoe Mesa off Grandview in the Grand Canyon

[kmcclure210]

Yes, I believe we were on the western arm, impressive! You know, this is terrible but I don't remember how far we went. I want to say 9 miles but maybe it was longer than that. The tough parts were the steep going down (on the knees) and of course the steep going up at the end when you're tired and it's getting hot. We went in June, so we started early around 6a I think. We were down on the Mesa by 9a having "lunch" and had made it back to the top by noon, making stops and taking our time.

[kmcclure210]

I'd say the highlights were the views on the way down, and then of course the views on the Mesa. We had a fun group, which always makes any trip better, and as long as you leave early and do most of the hiking before it gets hot, and have plenty of water, you'll have a great time! I'd say it was 60's/70's in the morning, but by the time we got to the Mesa it was 80's and moved up from there as we hiked up.

[landrysg]

Wow! Interesting view! Were you on the "western arm"? I've been down Grandview Trail on a day hike in 2002, but only down as far as "the saddle" (about 3 mi round trip). I may be back in AZ this fall, and was planning another day hike, and was wondering how far out onto Horseshoe Mesa it was possible to go on a day hike. Looks like you got out pretty far? How was the hike? Is all the way to the western arm possible? What were the temps like? What were the highlights of the hike?

[tterrab999]

@landrysg

The western arm has an amazing stone bench and a small shade tree that look upon one of the best views in the Canyon. To get there you need to cross a stone traverse with exposure on both sides. It is clean rock and not technical, but if you have a real fear of exposure, it may be a challenge mentally.