Grand Canyon National Park 

 

 

 

 

Caching Water?   CAUTION!  Due to the unavailability of water for long stretches of trail, and severely hot and arid days in the Grand Canyon National Park, you will want to consider stashing water on the way in, so that you will have water on the way out.  Leave a couple of quarts per person in a shady spot (remember that shade moves), out of sight of other hikers, but where you will be able to find them again.  Write your name and the day you expect to be back on the containers. 
Most Grand Canyon trails are "exposed."  That means non-shaded most of the day.  This, combined with scarcity of water along many trails, especially in late summer, equals extreme hardship and danger for the unsuspecting, inexperienced desert climate hiker.  The wiser hiker may choose to sit out the hottest hours, await the lowering of the sun, and hike when their seriously challenging ascent is now shaded.  Hours "wasted" waiting will be rewarded at the end of the day, when you have more energy and have enjoyed the day more.

From the South Rim:

A trip into the Hermit Basin Natural area will give the visitor a fine encounter with the spectacular geology of the Grand Canyon.  This trip is a great one.  Allow at least three days.  The creek means water for drinking (treat it, of course) as well as some of the largest rapids in North America - Hermit Rapids.  Hermit Rest Trailhead is off the far west end of West Rim Drive, west of the Village, and is at 6,640' elevation.  You will descend 3,800' to Hermit Creek and 4,290' to Hermit Rapids.  The best times to hike this area are March through June and September through November.
I rate the trail as MODERATELY DIFFICULT TO STRENUOUS; the trail is Remote and not maintained.  

Hermit Trail

Grand Canyon Explorer - Trail Description

Hermit Creek Campsites - BM7 Use Area Code

 

The Hermit Creek to Bright Angel Trail is about 26 miles of spectacular canyon views.  The trail traverses from east to west from Hermit Creek to Bright Angel trailhead; you will first need to hike from Hermits Rest to the Tonto Trail, then head right/east to Bright Angel Trailhead.  You will encounter numerous side canyons, some with creeks - explore carefully.  Allow about 4 days, maybe five.  Hermits Rest Trailhead is at 6,640' elevation.  You will drop to 2,370' elevation and rise again to about 6,750' elevation at the exit of Bright Angel Trailhead.  Best times to hike this area are March through June and September through November.  
I rate the trail as MODERATELY  DIFFICULT to STRENUOUS; the trail is remote and not maintained. 

This trail offers entry to Horseshoe Mesa (3.2 miles) and Cottonwood Creek (4.4 miles).  The 6.4 mile roundtrip hike to the wooded Mesa makes a great day hike.  The panoramas are incredible, including views of the canyons and the Colorado River.  Visit The Last Chance Mine, a National Historic Site.  You will find mining relics all about.  Depart Grandview Trailhead at 7,420' elevation, located 13.2 miles west of the East Entrance to the Park, and off Grandview Point road.  You will drop to 4,900' elevation along the canyon rim.  The best time to hike this area is March through November.     
I rate the trail MODERATELY DIFFICULT; the trail is well used, but not maintained. 

Horseshoe Mesa - BF5 Use Area Code -Campsite

Grandview Trail to South Kaibab Trail

 

This very remote trail connects the Horseshoe Mesa  / Grandview Trail with the Bright Angel Trail via Tonto Trail.  You will enter a number of side canyons, offering magnificent views, as you traverse the South rim.  You may turn south an exit at Yaki Point (28 miles) along the South Kaibab Trail or continue on to Bright Angel Trail, exiting at  the Bright Angel Traihead (35 miles).  Allow from 5 to 7 days for this spectacular trek.  Begin at 7,420' elevation and exit at 7,200' (Yaki Point) or 6,820' elevation (Bright Angel).  Best times for this trip are March through June and September through November.  Water is a major concern for this trip, so look for water at Cottonwood Creek, Grapevine Springs and Boulder Creek.  The six or seven side canyons offer absolutely wonderful exploration opportunities.  
I rate the trail DIFFICULT to Strenuous; the trail is remote and not maintained.

 Take the Tanner Trail to either Red Canyon and New Hance Trail or to Horseshoe Mesa via East Trail.  This is a remote trek of about 30 to 35 miles will take you down to the Colorado River, starting at Lipan Point just west of the East Entrance Station, then roam along and above the river before climbing back up the canyon wall at New Hance Trail, or a bit farther along at East Trail.  The river offers easy water access, but take care along the banks at all times.  You will come across ancient Indian ruins and artifacts.  You will pass a number of rapids.  This is a grand trip, offering unparalleled views and adventure.  Note that you will encounter exposed and vertical stretches of trail - the faint of heart may have some anxious moments.  Best times for this trip are March through May and September through November.  Begin at 7,400' elevation at Lipan Point and exit at either 7,420' elevation Grandview Point  or 7,040' elevation New Hance Trailhead. You will drop to the river at 2,760' elevation. 
I rate the trail DIFFICULT and somewhat intimidating; the trail is remote and not maintained; you will encounter exposed, vertical sections.  

This trek takes the Park's only maintained trail, a heavily traveled trail to the Colorado River and Bright Angel Campground (9.6 miles and 2,546' elevation) along the serpentine Bright Angel Trail, before returning via the South Kaibab Trail to Yaki Point (6.9 miles).  Begin at 6,820' elevation at Bright Angel Trailhead, dropping steeply to the Colorado River at 2,760' elevation, then climbing to 7,200' elevation at Yaki Point Trailhead on your way out.  You will cross the Colorado River via the bridge, an experience in itself.  There are actually two bridges - the suspension bridge where you first reach the Colorado River, and a steel bridge farther east at the base of South Kaibab Trail.  Stop at Indian Gardens, 3,800' elevation and 4.5miles from Bright Angel trailhead) for some fabulous mid-canyon wall views.  You may wish to camp here, as well.  You will want to make the 1.5 mile side-trip to the  Plateau Point overlook for great views and photographs.  Allow about 3-4 days for this trip.  Best times for this trip are March through June and September through November.  You may wish to take the right branch off the South Kaibab Trail at "The Tipoff, before reaching the Natural Arch - restrooms are near the junction, too.  This turn will take you back to Bright Angel Trail just below Indian Garden.     
I rate the trail MODERATELY DIFFICULT; the trail is maintained, and you will find toilet facilities. -

LINKS TO NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL, SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL, BRIGHT ANGEL CAMPGROUND AND PHANTOM RANCH: 

 http://www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/trails/bright_angel_trail.htm - BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL

http://www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/trails/south_kaibab_trail.htm - SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL

http://www.kaibab.org/gc/tr972/gx972501.htm - PHANTOM RANCH

http://www.kaibab.org/gc/tr972/gx972504.htm - BRIGHT ANGEL CAMPGROUND

 

This trail is an out and back trip of 18.4 miles from Bright Angel Campground.  Figure a good 10 hours of hiking to cover the entire distance if you are in excellent condition.  Begin at 2,640' elevation, climbing to a high of 4,240' elevation along the way.  Water is available only at the start and at the turnaround point at Clear Creek, where the trail ends.  You will definitely wish to cache some water half way in, maybe in the wash between Bradley and Demaray Point.  This hike is very exposed - shade less and long.  Best times for this hike are March through June and September through November.  The panoramas are amazing; cottonwoods adorn the watered Clear Creek campsites.  This trail makes a wonderful 10-11 mile roundtrip day hike if you hike to the wash between Bradley and Demaray Points, then turn around.
I rate the trail as MODERATELY DIFFICULT to STRENUOUS due to absence of shade and length; the trail is not maintained, but is in good condition.

From the North Rim:  

This trek requires that you shuttle vehicles, leaving one at start and finish; otherwise, one would have to return much the way that one had gone in.  The 24 mile, rim to rim trail is generally open from mid-May to mid-October. You will likely wish to spend one night at the Bright Angel Camp/Phantom Ranch - the Colorado River is about 14.0 miles from North Kaibab Trailhead, North Rim and 6.5 miles from the Bright Angel Trailhead.  You will encounter marvelous views of the entire canyon region, as well as hiking along both the Garden and Pipes creeks, Roaring Springs and Ribbon Falls.  Swimming spots will also greet you.  Begin at 8,250' elevation, dropping to 2,760' elevation at the river, and rising again to 6,820' elevation at the Bright Angel Trailhead.  Best time for this hike is Mid-May through October.  I recommend that you plan on six days or more for this trek, heat and your condition dependent.
I rate the trail MODERATELY DIFFICULT to strenuous; the trail is maintained; you will find toilet facilities.- 

This trail is an out and back trip of 18.4 miles from Bright Angel Campground.  Figure a good 10 hours of hiking to cover the entire distance if you are in excellent condition.  Begin at 2,640' elevation, climbing to a high of 4,240' elevation along the way.  Water is available only at the start and at the turnaround point at Clear Creek, where the trail ends.  You will definitely wish to cache some water half way in, maybe in the wash between Bradley and Demaray Point.  This hike is very exposed - shade less and long.  Best times for this hike are March through June and September through November.  The panoramas are amazing; cottonwoods adorn the watered Clear Creek campsites.  This trail makes a wonderful 10-11 mile roundtrip day hike if you hike to the wash between Bradley and Demaray Points, then turn around.
I rate the trail as MODERATELY DIFFICULT to STRENUOUS due to absence of shade and length; the trail is not maintained, but is in good condition.

 

This hike takes place on the North Rim, but well west of the usual Grand Canyon hiking spots of Bright Angel Trail and the Kaibab Trail.  Look north of the river, north of the Havasupai Indian Reservation.  Only seasoned desert hikers should try this hike.  Its remoteness and challenges can be life-threatening to the inexperienced.  Never solo-hike this trail.  

To reach the Bill Hall Trailhead you will depart Jacob Lake, Arizona and follow Hwy. 67 south 26.5 miles to the junction with Forest Road #22 (also signed as Dry Park #10); turn right, or west.  The junction is also 0.9 miles south of the Kaibab Lodge and just south of deer Lake.  Stay on FR22 (Forest Road 422) for 17.6 miles; turn left onto Forest Road 425, signed as Thunder River Trail #13.  Go 7.7 miles, but do NOT turn onto right-branch Forest Road 233, signed as Wilderness Trails; NOTE:  Do NOT take that branch in the road.  0.6 miles after the fork in the road, avoid another fork to Forest Road 232; DO NOT!  Stay left at junction, remaining on FR 425, signed as Crazy Jug Point #4.  1.7 miles later the road will turn poor, adjacent to Big Saddle Camp and horse corrals.  Stay right at this point, opting for the good gravel road, now signed as Forest Road 292, and bear right again 0.25 miles farther; signs will lead you to Crazy Jug Point.  At the four-way-junction, 1.5 miles from Forest Road 425.  Take the middle fork, Forest Road 292A, a good dirt road, which will take you 1.7 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road.  You will now be 30.8 miles from Hwy. 67, and about a 1.5 hour drive.  You will encounter some great views along the way.

This spectacular, long trek of either 25.5 miles roundtrip to Tapeats Rapids & Campground or 21.6 miles roundtrip to Deer Creek Falls, will offer you magnificent views of the Grand Canyon's best waterfalls.  The adventuresome and seasoned hiker may wish to venture the 4.1 mile, partially cross country trek along the river to connect Tapeats Rapids to Deer Creek Falls; some scrambling down slopes and rocks will be required.  
The Canyon views will blow you away.  You will be impressed by Thunder Springs, a river that virtually erupts from a cave.  This is a prime trek, remote and wondrous, but is NOT recommended for inexperience hikers.  Distances are great, and water caching very important to survival.  Cache water on the Esplanade along Thunder River Trail.  Take some extra, empty bottles to fill at key points, and leave along the trail for your return trip.  Trailhead is at 7,050' elevation, dropping to 1,936' elevation at the Colorado River.   Best time for this hike is Mid-May to Mid-October.  
I rate the trail STRENUOUS; the remote trail is not maintained.  PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRAIL WITHOUT GOOD CONDITIONING, WATER CACHING, AND GREAT CARE.

LINKS TO THUNDER RIVER, DEER CREEK TRAILS:

 http://home.earthlink.net/~kirkm2506/GrandCanyon.html

 http://manta.fm.arizona.edu/canyon/fa1997.htm

 http://www.hitthetrail.com/mikespages/thunder.htm

I wish to reiterate the dangers that the Grand Canyon's backcountry can pose to the unsuspecting, inexperienced, or even experienced hiker, who is not experienced at desert hiking.  Remember, the lower elevations of Grand Canyon National Park  are considered as desert environment, and even higher elevations are extremely exposed to the sun, with little shade and scare water.  Precipitous slopes, rock slides and rocky, uneven trails can spell disaster.  Do not add your name to the long list of dead or rescued hikers, who ventured out beyond their experience level or conditioning.  Canyon rescues are expensive, and the cost may be passed along to you or your beneficiaries in some circumstances.

 

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