Fractured and faulted by stresses in the earth’s crust, weathered and eroded by water, cliffs were breached here forming a route to the river that has been in use for thousands of years. W. W. Bass improved it for access to water and to his mines, and later as a tourist destination. For us, Bass’s trail provides access to a major change in the Canyon’s topography—the end of the Tonto Platform and the beginning of the Esplanade, a wider, higher bench. From here west, the Esplanade is a most delightful feature of the Canyon, providing pleasant hiking and stunning views.

After an introductory day on the South Rim discussing gear, food, and geology, we’ll carpool on rough but reliable roads to the South Bass trail and spend our second day exploring the Esplanade. Studying the Bass Fault Zone the next day as we continue down the trail to the Colorado River provides insight into how geology controls where we can hike and where water appears. A campsite near the river provides a vantage point to examine the river’s part in the Canyon’s history. This campsite is also base for a day hike to Copper Canyon to learn about the copper and asbestos Bass found. Along with geology, participants learn a few tricks for negotiating rough trails and how to tread lightly on the land.