Day 4: Big Point Canyon

Day 4

October 27, 2021

Big Point Canyon to Huge Pothole Overlooking River

Click on photos to see larger image.

Today's Route Stats:

Distance: 3.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 500 feet

Elevation Loss: 500 feet

Our goal for the day was to get to a huge pothole that I had heard about from Rich Rudow and others. But our first objective was to get around the head of Big Point Canyon. Soon after starting out, we found ourselves walking on a very good trail. But it didn't last long. It was very tedious getting around Big Point Canyon, and two minor tributaries.

This afternoon we ran into the other group hiking in the opposite direction. There were three of them, all from Flagstaff. I didn't get their names. These were the only people we saw during our hike.

After the first couple of miles, the terrain leveled off and the hiking was again easy. I had coordinates for a couple of large potholes out at the very edge of the Esplanade. For some reason unknown to me, the largest potholes tend to be out at the edge of the Esplanade.

We turned off the "trail" and headed for one of these large potholes. I was expecting to find the largest pothole marked by a huge cairn. We found several very large potholes, but no cairn. Two horseshoes were found next to the largest pothole.

We set up camp near the largest pothole, and had spectacular views into the depths of the Canyon.


A Short Section of Good Trail.	Un-Named Side-Canyon.	Big Point Canyon.


Potholes Out on the Edge of the Esplanade.	Multiple Large Potholes.	More Potholes.


View Down-Canyon From Potholes.	View Down-Canyon From Potholes.	The Biggest Potholes.