Day 5

October 25, 2019

Kanab Creek to Flipoff Canyon Via Chamberlain Canyon


Click on photos to see larger image.

Today's Route Stats:

   Distance:  6.0 miles

   Elevation Gain:  1000  feet

   Elevation Loss:  400 feet

Our goal for today was to hike up Chamberlain Canyon to the Esplanade, hike across the Esplanade to Flipoff Canyon, and down into Flipoff to find water.  Although we would technically be off-trail all day, there are remnants of a trail heading up Chamberlain, and a fairly good trail on the Esplanade.  The trail on the Esplanade goes from Hack Canyon, around Kanab Point, and all the way to Toroweap.  The section between Tuckup Canyon and Toroweap is officially called the Tuckup Trail.  Much of the trail between Flipoff and Tuckup is very faint and nearly impossible to follow.

A friend of mine (Bert) was in the area the previous week and gave me information on water in Chamberlain and Tuckup.  No water in Chamberlain, but he told me of a nice spring in Flipoff.  I know of a spring in Flipoff about half way between the Esplanade and Kanab Creek, but this one, which I had never noticed before, was much higher up in Flipoff. 

 
Fairly Good Trail in Chamberlain. Looking Down Chamberlain Canyon. Three Horses in Chamberlain Canyon.

 

The hike up Chamberlain was pretty easy, with a trail much of the way.  About 3/4 of the way up Chamberlain, we ran into three horses.  They were in the side canyon where water can usually be found.  It looked like there was only a tiny pool of water there now.  There was horse shit everywhere.  It looked like the horses had been there for a long time.  They were a bit skittish, but we did notice a brand on one of them. 

 
Esplanade View Towards Jumpup Point. Petroglyphs in Flipoff Canyon. Spring in Flipoff Canyon.

 

The hike across the Esplanade to Flipoff is easy and very pretty.  There is a fairly good trail all the way.  We were headed to the spring in Flipoff.  Instead of hiking down one of the side canyons to Flipoff, we went to its head and started down -- easier but a bit longer.  I knew that the side canyon containing the spring was difficult (per Bert).  We saw few small and fetid potholes in upper Flipoff -- there are usually dozens of clear pools.  The area near the spring was great for camping, so we decided to stay there.  The spring was just a hundred feet or so up into the side canyon.  There were lots of Maidenhair ferns, indicating a permanent water source.  I never noticed this spring before -- probably because there are usually lots of potholes in this area and the spring just didn't stand out. 


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