At the end of the historic Grandview Trail lies Horseshoe Mesa, a remote promontory in the heart of the canyon boasting superb views and a wealth of intriguing points of interest. A variety of backcountry challenges present themselves on, below, and inside the mesa, giving participants ample opportunity to develop skills in desert travel, Leave No Trace backpacking, and map and compass.

Participants practice these skills in a number of settings, including the beautiful expansiveness of the Tonto Platform, the lush riparian habitat of Cottonwood and Hance Creeks, and, for the hearty, a descent into the narrow splendor of the Colorado River’s inner gorge. Adventure awaits inside the mesa as well in the Cave of the Domes, a wild (non-commercial) cave with fascinating rock formations. In addition to the wilderness skills primer, participants observe many of the geologic processes that are shaping the Grand Canyon and lay a hand on John Wesley Powell's “Great Unconformity.” One of the real treats, however, is witnessing sunsets from the mesa's edge, an unsurpassed vantage in the heart of the canyon. This is an ideal trip for experienced backpackers looking for the next step up in difficulty from the Bright Angel and Kaibab Trails.

Prerequisite: Prior backpacking experience, preferably in the Grand Canyon.