The Tabernacle: Rewarding Grand Canyon Hike

The Tabernacle:  a panorama from the top of this monument!
From left to right the formations are Cape Final, Jupiter Temple, Venus Temple, Apollo Temple,
Unkar Delta (the Colorado River), South Rim, Solomon Temple.  

J.P., our hiking trip leader, a seasoned veteran of the Colorado River, said he hadn't done the Tabernacle hike in many years.  He'd done it just once before, maybe 10 years earlier.  With our Hatch hiking-focused rafting trip, he wanted to attempt this pinnacle again.  We got the talk the night before:  2,200 feet elevation gain and then loss, no water, hard, no shade.

"Some people might want to skip this one and stay at the boat," he said to the group, "especially if you found some of the other hikes difficult."

J.P. pointing to the tiny peak in the middle of the photo:  that's the Tabernacle.  This is 1/3 the way up the trail already.

We started at the river at a nice sandy beach.  We'd return to this beach for a cool dip and delicious lunch when our work was done.  We began the ascent.  The hike to the Tabernacle is steady and long with only one section of boulder and rocky terrain.

Turning around to enjoy the view and catch your breath is recommended often.  We had no shade this day.  Here are some photos of the different climbing sections from the bottom to the top.

From the Colorado River, the Tabernacle hike ascends a narrow ridge. 
Our boats are just out of the picture on the sandy bank at the bottom right.  

Spectacular boulder about half-way to teh top of Tabernacle

Hiking through the boulder section of Tabernacle hike

Above the boulders, the trail ascends more smoothly.  Solomon Temple pokes its' peak up on the left. 
The actual Tabernacle peak is outside the photo on the right.  

Hiking around the base of the Tabernacle.  The top can be reached on the back (north) side

Final climb to the top has loose scree but nothing technical

At the top of the Tabernacle our group celebrates and enjoys the view.

View of Solomon Temple from the top of the Tabernacle.  The South Rim is in the distance.

Lunch and recovery back at the Colorado River beach after our hike.

Gordon's hike rating:
Hike Difficulty:                   ★★★ Moderate:  long ascent and no shade
Trail Condition:                   ★★★ Good, mostly easy to follow
Trail Hazards:                      ★★★ Moderate:  scree, sharp rocks, long dropoffs
Trailhead:                             Colorado River mile 74 at Upper Rattlesnake Camp
Time Required:                     4 hours
Distance round trip:              4.5 miles (approximately)
Off the Beaten Path:             ★★★★★ Yes
Scenery:                                ★★★ Good, 3 Stars
Photographic Potential:        ★★ Fair, 2 Stars:  a few clouds would bump this higher