Spencer Trail to Horseshoe Bend - Vermilion Cliffs Region of Arizona

This solo hike took me from Lee's Ferry to Horseshoe Bend.  The hike involves an ascent of 1700 feet on Spencer Trail, followed by a cross country hike across varied topography.  After Spencer Trail there is no reliable established trail.  The "crux" of the hike involves making a detour to avoid the steep cliffs of a side canyon to the Colorado River.  There are interesting badlands (Death Pockets) to cross and many opportunities to peer into the Colorado River canyon.  Horseshoe Bend has become an extremely popular photographers' destination, but not by this route.

I did not find a published route description for this hike, but I include a description of my route in this trip report.  Allow a full day.