Colin Fletcher · 1968 · overland

Colin Fletcher's 1968 classic, which helped father the modern backpacking movement. In 1963 Fletcher became the first man to walk the length of Grand Canyon National Park in a single continuous journey, two months alone below the rim, from Havasu Canyon in the west to Nankoweap in the east. Part trail journal, part meditation on deep geologic time, it is a quiet masterpiece of nature writing.

1. 1
   Havasu Canyon

   Fletcher drops down Havasu Creek to the Colorado to begin the first continuous walk through the length of the park.

2. 2
   Bass Camp

   East along the river benches to Bass Camp, where he rests three nights by the water.

3. 3
   Phantom Ranch

   Through the Inner Gorge below the South Rim.

4. 4
   Hance Rapids

   Past Hance Rapids, walking upriver where the lowered river now lets him.

5. 5
   Nankoweap

   To Nankoweap and its ancient cliff dwellings, the eastern edge of the park and the journey's close.