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Roads/Topos from Fredonia, AZ to Toroweap Overlook

Toroweap

This remote area of the North Rim lies between Kanab Canyon to the east and the Pine Mountains (Uinkaret Mountains) to the west. An overlook (elev. 4,552 feet) provides awesome Canyon views from sheer cliffs nearly 3,000 feet high above the river. Toroweap, also known as Tuweap or Tuweep, lies 140 road miles west of the developed North Rim area of Bright Angel Point.

You'll enjoy the amazing views, hiking, and solitude. Although the area is in Grand Canyon National Park, no entry or campground fees were charged at press time. Obtain hiking information, backcountry permits, and emergency help at the Tuweep Ranger Station, open all year though the ranger does take a few days off now and then. There's an emergency phone here. If you'll need a backcountry permit, it's safer to obtain it beforehand, though you could try for a last-minute permit here or at Pipe Spring National Monument.

Between 1.2 million and 30,000 years ago, eruptions of red-hot lava built about 60 volcanic cones here, even forming dams across the Colorado River. One of the dams towered nearly 2,000 feet, but the river washed it away long ago. Pinyon pine, juniper, cactus, and small flowering plants cover the plateau. Watch for rattlesnakes. Hikers can enjoy many easy rambles near the rim, a difficult descent to the river near Lava Falls, a scramble up Vulcans Throne, or multi-day trips on the Tuckup Trail.

Toroweap Overlook

The views begin at road's end, where sheer cliffs drop to the Colorado River. Mount Sinyala, a butte 25 miles east of the overlook, marks the mouth of Havasu Canyon. Most of the Havasupai who live on the reservation dwell in Supai village, nine miles up Havasu Canyon. The Hualapai Indian Reservation lies directly across the Colorado River from the overlook. Vulcans Anvil, also known as Vulcan's Forge or Thor's Hammer, rises in the middle of the river directly below. This 50-foot-high lava neck is all that remains of an extinct lava vent.

Lava Falls, visible 1.5 miles downstream, roars with a vengeance. You can see it from a point just one-eighth mile to the right from the overlook. Debris from Prospect Canyon on the South Rim forms the rapids, perhaps the roughest water in the Grand Canyon. Water flowing between 8,000 and 20,000 cubic feet per second drops abruptly, then explodes into foam and spray. River-runners commonly rate these rapids a 10-plus on a scale of 1–10. You can reach Lava Falls on a very steep and strenuous hike, not recommended in summer (See Lava Falls Route in the Inner Canyon Hiking section).

Vulcans Throne

The 600-foot-high rounded cinder cone west of the overlook is one of the youngest volcanoes in the area. There's no trail, but you can hike to the top in about 1.5 miles roundtrip; it's most easily reached by road via normally dry Toroweap Lake.

Directions

Three roads lead in to the area. The most popular one begins at AZ 389, nine miles west of Fredonia; turn south 40 miles on County 109 at the sign for "Toroweap 61," continue straight seven miles on County 5, and straight 14 miles on County 115. These dirt roads are usually in good condition when dry but have washboard sections. Watch for livestock and take it slow through washes and cattleguards. The last few miles are slow and rocky, but careful drivers should make it. The Tuweep Ranger Station is on the left 6.3 miles before the overlook. Beyond the ranger station, Toroweap Point (elev. 6,393 feet) towers on the left; dumpy Vulcans Throne (elev. 5,102 feet) sits on the right.

You can also drive to Toroweap on a 90-mile dirt road from St. George (BLM Road 1069 and Country 5 for 76 miles, then right 14 miles on County 115) or a 58-mile road from Colorado City (County 5 for 44 miles, then continue straight 14 miles on County 115). Avoid driving these roads after heavy rain or snow, especially the route from Colorado City. Snows usually block the road from St. George between October and May. Water, food, and gas are not available in this country. Bring a map—the BLM's Arizona Strip one is best—as signs may be missing at some junctions.

List of Topos used to get from Fredonia to Toroweap Overlook

1. Fredonia
2. Kaibab
3. Pipe Spring
4. Findlay Tank
5. Sunshine Ridge
6. Robinson Canyon
7. Heaton Knolls
8. Hancock Knolls
9. Hat Knoll
10. Mt. Trumbull NE
11. Mt. Trumbull SE
12. Vulcans Throne

Directions for each Topo

Start with the Fredonia topo, head Southwest out of Fredonia on 389. Exit the map at 83-84 on the west side of the map.

Continue with Kaibab topo, enter the map at 83-84 on the east side. Take a 90` left turn and exit the map at 53-54 on the south side of the map.

Continue with Pipe Spring topo, enter the map at 53-54 on the north side. Continue S-SE and exit the map at 45 on the south side of the map.

Continue with Findlay Tank topo, enter the map at 45 on the north side and exit the map at 67 on the west side of the map.

Continue with Sunshine Ridge topo, enter the map at 67 on the east side. Continue S-SE, cross Sunshine Ridge and continue south and exit the map at 50 on the south side of the map.

Continue with Robinson Canyon topo, enter the map at 50 on the north side. Continue SE around the head of Hack Canyon, past Hack reservoir and exit the map at 52 on the west side of the map.

Continue with Heaton Knolls topo, enter the map at 51-52 on the east side. Continue S-SE around Findlay and Heaton Knolls, turn left to June Tank and exit the map at 24-25 on the south side of the map.

Continue with Hancock Knolls topo, enter the map at 24-25 on the north side very briefly and exit 23-24 on the north side of the map.

Continue with Heaton Knolls topo, enter the map at 23-24 on the south side and exit 41-42 on the west side of the map.

Continue with Hat Knoll topo, enter the map at 41-42 on the east side, very briefly, and exit at 20 on the south side of the map.

Continue with Mt. Trumbull NE topo, enter the map at 20 on the north side and continue towards Toroweap Valley/Overlook. Exit at 16-17 on the south side of the map.

Continue with Mt. Trumbull SE topo, enter the map at 16-17 on the north side and continue past Toroweap Ranger Station to Toroweap Overlook.

Continue with Vulcan's Throne topo, enter the map at 30 on the west side and continue to Toroweap Overlook.