Kanab Creek Wilderness 

Depart Flagstaff early for the drive to the north side of the Grand Canyon and our remote trailhead at Jumpup Cabin. After final preparations, we will begin our trek into upper Jumpup Canyon. The descent is very gradual as we follow the dry creekbed. After about 4 miles, we leave the creekbed and strike out across the Esplanade, a sandstone bench of slickrock offering pleasant hiking and excellent views. 

As we approach the rim of Sowats Canyon, our route descends quickly to another dry creekbed which leads a final mile to camp near beautiful Mountain Sheep Spring, a watery oasis deep in our canyon wilderness. Relax while your guide sets up camp and prepares a delicious dinner. 

Drive Time: ~4 hours

Hiking Distance & Elevation: 8 miles, 1730-foot descent

Light Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a tasty breakfast, we’ll leave camp setup and head out for a full day of exploring with just small day packs. Our route takes us down Sowats Creek to its junction with lower Jumpup Canyon, which we’ll follow downstream to the spectacular Jumpup Canyon Narrows, a deep and narrow limestone gorge with polished walls rising hundreds of feet overhead. 

After some time in the Narrows, we backtrack slightly to Kwagunt Hollow, another scenic canyon which we’ll ascend to the Esplanade, stopping for lunch along the way. It’s a fun but arduous scramble up Kwagunt Hollow but there are lost of little pools and waterfalls to enjoy along the way. 

Once back on the Esplanade, we will follow another trail that eventually drops us back into Sowats Canyon and home to our camp.

Hiking Distance & Elevation: 9 miles, 1100-foot ascent/descent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Before breaking camp, we’ll enjoy a morning hike to explore a nearby section of canyon featuring stunning red cliffs and idyllic pools along a small creek. We then return to camp, pack up, and begin our journey back towards our trailhead. 

Our goal for tonight’s camp is the dry bed of Upper Jumpup Canyon, not far from a natural spring. We’ll backpack for about 4 miles before making camp for our final night in the backcountry.

Hiking Distance & Elevation: 4 miles + 3 miles of day hiking, 400-foot ascent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After packing up camp we begin our final trek back to the trailhead at Jumpup Cabin. It’s a gentle 4 miles of trail that we hiked on Day 1 but the early morning light offers a fresh perspective. 

Before the final push to the trailhead, we’ll stop to examine some ancient pictographs near a hidden spring. 

Upon reaching the vehicle, we’ll celebrate our experience with a big, tasty lunch before hitting the road for the journey home. Expect to arrive back in Flagstaff by 5pm at the latest.

Hiking Distance & Elevation: 4 miles, 1400-foot ascent

Breakfast, Lunch

Drive Time: ~4 hours

• A professional, licensed and medically trained guide
• All necessary gear: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles
• All cooking/eating gear: bowls, cups, utensils (your guide will prepare all meals)
• All meals from a light breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day + trail snacks
• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, AZ to Grand Canyon
• Entrance fees and backcountry permits
• 5% National Park Service Commercial Fee (a required fee that passes through to Grand Canyon National Park)

• Transportation to/from Flagstaff, AZ
• Lodging the night before/after the trip
• Clothing, raingear, and footwear
• Personal toiletries, sunscreen
• Water bottles/hydration bladder
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Guide gratuity (suggested 10-20% of trip cost)

*Upon Booking you will receive a detailed trip information packet

Most backpacking trips in Grand Canyon will accommodate 5 people plus one guide. On occasion, a group may be as large as 9 people plus 2 guides.

Children under the age of 13 are generally not permitted on backpacking trips. This restriction may be negotiable on private tours. Please contact us with any questions regarding this policy.

In order to confirm a reservation, we require an initial deposit of $250 per person, with the final balance due 90 days prior to the trip’s departure. If you book a trip within 90 days of the trip’s scheduled departure, then full payment is due at the time of booking.

Once we confirm availability, you will be provided with an online registration link. Your deposit is payable online by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or ACH transfer.

This trip will begin/end in Flagstaff, AZ and you will need to spend the night prior to your trip’s scheduled departure in Flagstaff. You will want to fly into either Phoenix (2 hour drive) or Flagstaff.

We will hold a pre-trip orientation at 4:00pm the evening prior to your trip’s departure at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. Departure times and logistics for the following morning will be discussed at the orientation.

Most trips will depart between 4:30am and 6:30am. *This meeting is not mandatory, but highly recommended, as we will depart early the next morning. If you are unable to attend, please let us know in advance so that we can make alternate arrangements.

We will provide all transportation to/from trailheads for the duration of the trip. We will pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and return you there at the trip’s conclusion. Guests staying at the Little America Hotel (recommended) can leave their cars at the hotel. The hotel will often store your luggage for you, as well. If not, we are happy to store extra luggage at our warehouse for the duration of the trip. If you are staying at a different hotel, you will need to check with them as to whether you can leave your car there.

Expect to be back in Flagstaff by 5pm at the latest on the last day of the trip. Many trips will return earlier but we cannot make any guarantees. In general, it is recommended that you do not plan to fly home on the same day your trip finishes. Since each trip has slightly different logistics, feel free to contact us with specific questions related to the expected return time for your trip.