Saddle Mountain Wilderness, North Kaibab National Forest, AZ
DatesSep 13th - Sep 19th 2009 Service ProjectBuilding rock steps on North Canyon, East Rim trails Free Dayshike into the Grand Canyon, climb Saddle Mountain AccommodationsTent camping at drive-in spike camp Trip RatingStrenuous : bending, digging, lifting, altitude, carrying tools LeadersDon Meaders Equipment |
The Kaibab National Forest is part of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the United States. Bordering both the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, the 1.6 million acres of the Kaibab has the distinction of being divided by one of Nature's greatest attractions. The Kaibab Plateau is an island of forested land surrounded by a sea of sage and grasslands. Kaibab is a Paiute Indian word that translates to mountain lying down. Most of the plateau was set aside in 1893 as part of the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve. In 1908, the Forest Reserve north of the Grand Canyon was renamed the Kaibab National Forest. The North Kaibab is atop a monocline and rises to 8800 feet with excellent views of the Grand Canyon. We'll work in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness on the North Canyon Trail, setting steps in a steep section of trail. We'll camp in a remote spike camp, and the forest service will provide a water buffalo and all the necessary tools. On our free days, we can climb Saddle Mountain with its spectacular views into House Rock Valley and Marble Canyon, or hike the Nankoweap corridor in the Park. We'll be camped at approximately 8000 feet and will hike several miles into the canyon each day to the work sites. We might see bison, California condors, hawks and bobcats.
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