10b. Kaibab National Forest Dos Manos site, Desert View Watchtower, and then to Rain Tank Wash site near Tusayan (Mon)

Full Day Monday includes the Watchtower in Grand Canyon National Park as part of the tour

Easy-moderate
 
This trip will start east of the Grand Canyon National Park, to visit the Kaibab National Forest Dos Manos site, and then proceed to Desert View Watchtower in the National Park. It will then proceed to the INDIAN PAINTINGS TOUR starting in Tusayan. Get away from the crowds and 4×4 down forest back-roads where your guide will lead you on a short hike up stone steps to the site. While viewing the paintings and petroglyphs up close, your guide will inform you of the ways of these ancient peoples. This site is unique because it has many etched petroglyphs superimposed over ancient pictographs. This is one of the largest rock shelters in the area.  The midden in front of the rock shelter is also indicative of the long term human use. There it is a 500 yard scramble to the rock shelter. The hike takes about 15 minutes and there is about 100 feet of ascent and descent each way. The area can be quite hot in June so bring lots of water.

High clearance vehicles recommended (perhaps can carpool from start of gravel road). The drive from the highway is about 10 to 15 minutes on a rough Forest Service graveled road to the parking area. After visiting the shelter, return to Hwy and proceed to the Desert View Watchtower parking area.

A national park pass will be required for Grand Canyon National Park or an additional fee will be required to enter the park. Have lunch, tour the Watchtower and then proceed to Mc Donald’s parking lot in Tusayan to meet the guide John Tathman 602-526-4292 at 2:00 PM  

The Tusayan trip is generously donated by Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris. See description at https://grandcanyonjeeptours.com/tour-details/indian-paintings-tour/ Tour time about 2 hours.  Driving time one hour thirty minutes back to NAU.