On the first day we hike down the little used New Hance Trail into Red Canyon, where we spend the first night in this unusual geologic area, camping in Red Canyon or by the Colorado River. This canyon's lower elevations are predominately Hakatai Shale, undoubtedly the most brilliant red of any formation in the Canyon.
We then hike west from the beginning of the Tonto Trail at the river. This is the eastern beginning of the Granite Gorge, and we camp at Hance Creek. On the last day we climb Horseshoe Mesa to see the mining ruins and, if time allows, Cave of the Domes before following the Grandview Trail to the Rim.
