The hike up Grass Canyon sounded like fun. A route that I had heard of, one of the rangers had done his evening program on it. Lots of great scenery. Some mountains to be close to. A place where most people do not venture.
I had loaded my pack the night before, adding the food just before we left. That afternoon I took three packs out of the storage area of the trailer. Which one should I carry?
The first is a fancy fanny pack that has a pouch for water at each end and a small stowing area in the middle. Too small for an all day jaunt.
The second one is a nice small day pack with a NPS insignia on it. It could probably work but the waist strap is a bit wimpy.
The third was the largest and oldest. It also had a most miles on it. It has many miles on it, been on many mountain summits and a few turn-backs as well. I chose it. Then I needed to fill it. I chose the bare essentials, plus WAY too many other items. But it was packed.
We gathered up on Wednesday morning, two other volunteers, B and R and a driver, and headed north on Hwy 85. After dropping one vehicle at the Alamo Canyon trail head, we hopped into the other and drove to our drop-off spot on at the wayside a few miles north on Hwy 85.
7:45 As our driver headed back south toward the visitor center we doffed our packs and turned to the east. The first two miles follows an old mining road that aims almost directly at the target, Grass Canyon. When the road ends it is still fairly easy going walking around the creosote and hanging fruit cholla.
Then the gentle rise that we have been traveling on ended and we started to climb the south side of the canyon. There was no trail so it was a “choose your own route” climb. Above one boulder, below another. Climbing through one side canyon, and fifteen minutes later, climbing through another. Always steadily ascending. Passed several caves on the way.

11:45 Arrived at the saddle at the top of Grass Canyon. Too windy and cool to spend time up there so we found a sunny, calm spot were we could relax and reflect on our journey. A great view of the wash far below.
Then began the difficult descent. Scree to negotiate, rocks to climb around and under. Down climbing is as challenging as ascending. Gravity is trying to increase the descent speed so it up to the hiker to stay under control. Down, down, slowly, sliding, ducking under brush, finally reaching the wash.
At last we were for some walking on flat ground. Not for long. A dry waterfall, climb down, more walking, another waterfall, more descent.
A small tinaja, then another, a large one, and small one. Ten, twenty, more as we continued. The recent rain had filled most of these, but some were remote enough and large enough to be water supplies for the creatures of the area. The rocks of the waterfalls were well worn, meaning a long time of erosion, especially considering that it only rains hard during the monsoon season of summer.
2:30 pm Finally, we arrived at the Grey’s cabin in Alamo Canyon. The best part was the trail to the parking lot and the waiting truck. The hot shower and nap were most welcome.