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This steep trail
involves multiple scrambles and short down climbs to reach the creek bed.
Once in the creek bed the trail winds in and out of the creek, wanders over
loose rocks and requires route-finding skills. When the trail reaches
the top of the Redwall Limestone, it leaves the creek bed and starts a
difficult and steep "traverse" through the Supai layer before it passes
through the Redwall. Once through the Redwall the trail levels some
and parallels the creek bed until the rock layers allow access into the
bottom of Red Canyon. From this point on to the Colorado River, the
dry creek bottom is the trail with minor spur trails bypassing short
pour-offs in a few places. A few yards before reaching the river the
Tonto Trail heading west intersects the New Hance Trail at the base of a
large sand dune. The Escalante Route begins at the east side of the
camping area. Both intersections are unmarked and can be difficult to
find.
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