Itinerary
- Day 1
North Rim
You'll start with a shuttle ride to the North Rim, which takes about 3.5 to 4.5 hours to get there. From Sowats Point, hike downhill across the esplanade toward Sowats Canyon. Along the way you'll come across Mountain Sheep Spring, where the water is fresh and there are Native American pictographs nearby to check out. By evening, set up camp in an alcove under scarlet rock overhangs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike from Sowats Point to esplanade and Sowats Canyon (3.5 miles, 2,200 feet elevation loss)
- Visit Mountain Sheep Spring
- View Native American pictographs near campsite
Landmarks Sowats Point Mountain Sheep Spring Sowats Canyon - Day 2
Sowats Canyon to Showerbath Spring
After breakfast, head down Sowats Canyon alongside the creek toward Jump-up Canyon. The slot canyon here has towering redwall limestone walls that really narrow in. You'll reach Kanab Creek with brilliant red walls rising overhead, then continue to Showerbath Spring and its hanging garden. This is a long day covering 8 to 9 miles, so expect about 10 to 11 hours of hiking before you reach camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike down Sowats Canyon (9.5 miles, 1,300 feet elevation loss)
- Hike through Jump-up Canyon and slot canyon
- Hike along Kanab Creek
- Visit Showerbath Spring and hanging garden
Landmarks Jump-up Canyon Kanab Creek Showerbath Spring - Day 3
Kanab Creek to Whispering Falls
Following another breakfast, take a shorter hike downstream through deeper canyon sections. You'll notice massive overhangs, various springs, and the changing light shows different rock colors throughout the day. Set up camp near a narrow side canyon with Whispering Falls, where water runs down smooth stone. You can do an afternoon hike to the falls if you have energy left.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike downstream through Kanab Creek canyon (4.5 miles, 400 feet elevation loss)
- Explore Whispering Falls and side canyon
Optional Activities
- Afternoon hike to Whispering Falls
Landmarks Whispering Falls - Day 4
Layover Day
Today you're staying at camp to rest and recover. If you're interested, there's an optional day hike to the Colorado River and back without carrying your pack. The trip takes you to where Kanab Creek meets the Colorado River, and the rapids are powerful where they join. You can grab lunch with canyon and river views, then head back to camp by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Colorado River viewpoint), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Day hike to Colorado River and back (8.0 miles round-trip, 200 feet elevation change)
Landmarks Colorado River - Day 5
Showerbath Spring Return
Start heading out by hiking up Kanab Creek back toward Showerbath Spring camp. Take your time and soak in the landscape one more time before you begin the climb out of the canyon. The location is worth appreciating before you move on.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike up Kanab Creek to Showerbath Spring (4.5 miles, 400 feet elevation gain)
Landmarks Showerbath Spring - Day 6
Jump-up Canyon to Kwagunt Hollow
Retrace your steps through Jump-up Canyon and its slot section, then turn east into Kwagunt Hollow. This canyon has more variety with its terraces and overhangs creating different scenery. You'll camp near small seeps that have drinking water. The dramatic landscape here offers good views as the day winds down.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through Jump-up Canyon (8.5 miles, 1,100 feet elevation gain)
- Hike into Kwagunt Hollow and explore its terraces and overhangs
Landmarks Jump-up Canyon Kwagunt Hollow - Day 7
Kwagunt to North Rim
After a relaxed morning, hike out of Kwagunt and rejoin the Sowats trail near the switchbacks. Climb the switchbacks up to Sowats Point to finish your backpacking trip. From the top, you can see all the canyons you've hiked through stretching down to the Colorado River. Then the shuttle takes you back from the North Rim, another 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike out Kwagunt Hollow and up switchbacks to Sowats Point (4.5 miles, 2,400 feet elevation gain)
- Panoramic views from Sowats Point overlooking canyons and Colorado River
Landmarks Sowats Point
