The ancient Hopi route through Salt Canyon doesn’t receive a lot of foot-traffic, but it remains the most popular method for reaching canyon bottom.
It’s the most popular trail for a few reasons:
- It’s a relatively short hike (under 4 miles). Keep in mind, that’s on paper. In reality, it is a rugged, difficult trek with several sections of route-finding and tricky exposure.
- It offers a direct route to a fantastic section of the Little Colorado’s fabled blue water
- It has ample historical and religious significance
- Good camping exists along the route and also where the trail terminates at canyon bottom
- While information is scarce, it is more well-documented than other routes into the Little Colorado gorge