Today begins the about 900 mile trek south to Mexico from Lee’s Ferry, Arizona. While I could have just arranged a shuttle directly to the AZT trailhead, that would be too easy! And when there is a public land area like Vermillion Cliffs just next door, which I have been yearning to get to for months, my glutton for punishment side takes over.

So I took the shuttle today from the South Rim of Grand Canyon to Marble Canyon and hiked down the road to the campground at Lee’s Ferry. It is still pretty warm during the day, in the mid-90s. Substantially warmer than the South Rim, so it’s apparent pretty quick there will be some acclimation involved. The shuttle driver, knowing my intentions, asks for my photo ”just in case no one ever sees you again,” or something to that effect. The reason is a little macabre, but I oblige. Walking down to the campground from Marble Canyon, the road passes by towering red rock cliffs and giant boulders.

Lee’s Ferry Entrance sign on US-89A in Marble Canyon where 89A crosses the Colorado River at the Navajo Bridge
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Towering red rock Navajo Sandstone buttes loom above the road to Lee’s Ferry
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Lee’s Ferry and the Vermilion Cliffs are one of my favorite sunset spots around, and I expect the next few days will be no different. It’s still feels like summer during the days here, getting into the mid-90s. But the night is cool, dipping into the 70s.

Tomorrow I hope to take a brief wander down to the Colorado River in search of a remote Grand Canyon National Park entry sign. A friend who visited this summer brought it to my attention. I’ll stop by the ranger program apparently being held at Lonely Dell Ranch before heading up Paria Canyon into the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

That will take me to my first steps out on this 850 or so mile journey to Mexico.

Giant red rock boulders sit beside the road in evening light
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

The plan? Over the next few days, hike the 45 miles from Lee’s Ferry to the Wire Pass Trailhead, first through Paria Canyon and then through Buckskin Gulch, the longest and deepest slot canyon in the world. From there, it’s 1.5 miles to the northern trailhead of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, and then about 800 miles to Mexico.


It all starts tomorrow.

Map of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona, with planned route outlined in red
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, planned route in red

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