~ Colorado River ~
For experienced hikers, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near Page, Arizona offers some rugged and rewarding routes along the Colorado River. The Ropes Trail challenges you with route finding challenges then plunges steeply through exposed terrain toward the river, demanding careful footing and a head for heights, while the historic Spencer Trail follows an improbable old route carved out of the canyon wall, delivering dramatic views of Marble Canyon, Lees Ferry, and takes back in time to the days of the old west gold rush. Cathedral Wash provides a true slot canyon experience, combining boulder scrambling, narrows, and a Grand Canyon type of hiking adventure before opening to the Colorado River. These challenging hikes showcase the wild, untamed side of Glen Canyon and are best suited for prepared hikers comfortable with route finding, elevation change, and variable conditions.
The Ropes
Located just a half mile downstream from Glen Canyon Dam this adventure hike takes you down the 700 foot cliff to the banks of the Colorado River
Spencer’s Trail
This strenuous trail 4.4 mile up and down surmounts 1500 feet of topography and rewards you with absolutely magnificent views both east and west. It will blow your mind to think that a bunch of gold miners used to take mules and wagons up this thing!
Cathedral Wash
Hikes don’t get much better than this one! Walk through the bends and buckles of this surreal limestone canyon as you watch the canyon walls grow from infancy to Grand Canyon stature.