Overview

I've organized my description of the Tonto West Trail into two parts: (1) an overview of the entire trail, trailheads, and other general information, and (2) individual canyon-to-canyon segments. Elsewhere I have described the Hermit Rest, Monument Creek, Indian Garden, Bright Angel Trailhead loop (west to east) because this is a popular loop and it is easier to follow descriptions going forward than going backwards.

Link to map of this segment.

Overview: From Indian Garden Campground, it is about 2.5 miles and 1.5 hours to the east horn of Horn Creek, the first legal camping area along the trail. Drinking water is available only at Indian Garden Campground. Water flows in Horn Creek, but it is contaminated with uranium from the old mine at the head of the canyon, so don't drink the water. This segment of the Tonto Trail exits Bright Angel Canyon, loops west around the ridge below Maricopa Point, and runs up into Horn Canyon. This segment of the trail is fast, wide, easy, and provides many grand views. Indian Garden Campground is in Backcountry Use Zone ICG (camping only in the campground), and Horn Creek is in Zone BL4 (camping only in designated campsites).

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...be sure to read the Watch Out section on the Tonto West Overview page, which discusses things such as cell phones and signal mirrors. While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and please try to Leave No Trace of your passage.

Trail Guide

Trailhead information is presented on the Tonto West Overview page.

The Hike

1. Indian Garden Campground to Horn Creek -- 2.5 miles and 1.5 hours

From the campground at Indian Garden (Wpt. 001), it takes about 15 minutes to get to the start of the Tonto West Trail. Hike north down the Bright Angel Trail to the corral, then cross the creek to the west side of Bright Angel Creek, and continue hiking north along the creek towards Plateau Point. About 10 minutes past the last cottonwood tree, the Tonto West Trail forks off to the west (Wpt. 002). If you have time, it probably is worth the walk out to Plateau Point (Wpt. XX1), although there are many similar views down the trail.

The trail goes over a ridge (Wpt. 004) and turns into the Horn Creek drainage system. The trail runs on the contour, drops down a hillside at fair grade on a rocky trail to the edge of the canyon, and then runs south on the contour towards the back of Horn Canyon. The trail passes a large side canyon with grand views down the cliffs (Wpt. 005) and then a smaller one before reaching the east horn of Horn Canyon (Wpt. 006).

There is a nice campsite under a tree on the east edge of the streambed, and there is an outhouse up the hill just west of the creek. From the number of cairns and hand-drawn signs, it seems that people have trouble finding the outhouse. Water runs in the creek about 50 yards up from the trail crossing. I found the water suitable for bathing, but don't drink it.