Spencer Trail at Lees Ferry
Updated: Jan 21, 2023
Hike Stats
Distance: 4.4 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 1600 ft
Date Hiked: March 2022
Location: Lees Ferry, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Getting Here
The trailhead is located at Lees Ferry near the boat launch which is the launching off point for many Colorado River rafting trips and Marble Canyon boating tours. The nearest town is the small Marble Canyon, AZ, which is about 50 minutes southwest of Page. Lees Ferry is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area so be sure to bring your America the Beautiful pass or pay the day use fee at the kiosk.
The Hike
The Spencer Trail is a stunning but challenging trail that gives great overlooks of the Colorado River, Vermilion Cliffs, and Marble and Glen Canyon. From the gravel parking lot, I headed down the River Trail which took me by some historical buildings and equipment left behind by the myriad of people who used the area for mining and research and such.
After about ⅓ of a mile, I turned left onto the Spencer Trail, named for an area miner who utterly failed at mining gold from these cliffs. The trail is basically one steep switchback after another (1500 feet in 1.5 miles is no joke!) but the increasingly expansive views over the river were a welcome distraction from my burning legs and panting lungs. The trail wasn’t in the best of shape with a few sections of loose and crumbling dirt, however, I passed several trail crews working so I expect that it will be in great shape soon. Thanks to the Student Conservation Corps for your hard work!
The view at the top of Spencer’s Ridge is spectacular and I would argue more beautiful than the view from the stunning but over-crowded Horseshoe Bend. There is a large area to explore at the top of the ridge so don’t just stop right at the top of the trail. By continuing straight towards the other edge, even more views of Glen Canyon open up including a glimpse of Horseshoe Bend.
As a bonus to all the amazing vistas I had already been treated to, not long after finishing up the hike I experienced one of the most vibrant sunsets I’ve ever seen.
If you’re looking for a great hike that is off-the-beaten-path, then definitely check out the Spencer Trail! It’s tough but the views are more than worth the effort taken. While you are in the area, I would highly recommend checking out the old and new Navajo Bridges. The original Navajo Bridge was the first bridge in the area that allowed for automobiles to cross the Colorado River, eliminating the need to use the nearby Lees Ferry (which sank) and making travel between Arizona and Utah significantly easier. After 66 years, a new Navajo Bridge was built in order to more safely accommodate the increasingly larger and heavier automobiles and trucks. The NPS website has a great run down of the bridge’s history if you are interested. The Navajo Bridge is also one of the best places in the US to see the critically endangered California Condor bird!
Nearby Adventures
Lees Ferry boat and kayak tours
Horseshoe Bend
Antelope Canyon
Lake Powell
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