Stone Creek: My Favorite River Hike

Stone Creek Waterfall:  Highlight of the Grand Canyon

Stone Creek is the best hike from the Colorado River.

Stone Creek is my favorite place in the Grand Canyon.

Stone Creek is a dream come true.

Stone Creek has two waterfalls which are a short distance from the beach.  They are beautiful but better things await the explorer.  Simply bypass these lower waterfalls and keep climbing up.  The third waterfall is a pleasant 2-tier drop.  On our hot climb up we each put our back on the wet wall and let the shower drench us.  On my return trip later that day I took photos with the waterfall in the shade.  

Natural shower at Stone Creek Waterfall

Lovely Stone Creek Waterfall

Stone Creek waterfall and wildflowers.  Trying to capture these without excessive wind motion was difficult.  

This third waterfall is quite beautiful but only midway up the canyon.  Easily bypassed, we continued upwards as we followed the water's edge.  The next waterfall is a beauty.  This waterfall slides down a beautiful sandstone wall.  The water's minerals have deposited travertine atop the sandstone to create a unique cone-shaped wall.  The symmetry appeals to me.  This waterfall can be photographed from many angles.  A shorter waterfall can be seen above the main drop from a distance.

Stone Creek waterfall with travertine buildup along the back wall.
The symmetry of this waterfall is very pleasing to the eye.  

Stone Creek waterfall can be photographed from the side.  The curved drop is lovely.

Stone Creek waterfall with a blooming cactus.  One can see the higher waterfall  from this vantage point.

This is a great place to stop.  The beauty here exceeds any dream of paradise.  All but 4 of our party stopped here but our river guide said you could follow the stream further up another mile!  But this last mile requires class 4 scrambling, a little bush whacking and (lastly) a tiny boulder climb.  I'll show the scramble and boulder climb before showing the final rewards at the end.

Scramble up the right side of the last waterfall.

Climb up this boulder by finding footing on the far left, in the shadows.

And finally the inner sanctum is reached:  a narrow slot canyon ending with a high ribbon waterfall.  Looking back from the waterfall, the canyon glows in every hue of orange.  Here's a picture of the 3 who made it to the end for perspective!

Stone Creek Inner Sanctum in the Grand Canyon.  Gordon Smith
and two hiking companions reached this high slot canyon.

Stone Creek waterfall in slot canyon:  the best reward on a river hike!

Gordon's hike rating:

Hike Difficulty:                   ★★★★  Hard

Trail Condition:                   ★★★     Fair, worsens as you go further

Trail Hazards:                      ★★★★ Several:  Class 4 scramble + bouldering

Trailhead:                             Colorado River mile 132

Time Required:                     4 hours

Distance round trip:              5 miles

Off the Beaten Path:             ★★★★★ Yes

Scenery:                                ★★★★★ Outstanding, 5 Stars

Photographic Potential:        ★★★★★ Fabulous, 5 Stars