Location

El Tovar is the premier hotel in the south rim area due to a few factors. Its position on the canyon delivers daily stunning views for the entire duration of your stay. The hotel is close to Flagstaff and Sedona and not too far from Phoenix and Las Vegas. This puts the hotel right in the middle of the best canyon scenery in the US.

Area attractions include several national monuments, a national observatory, and fun tourist towns like Seligman and Williams. A combination of Sedona and the Grand Canyon is one of the best itineraries in the state. Flagstaff is a great midpoint to wind down after long hiking treks through the canyons, and has a small airport with regional flights. El Tovar’s setting and location are a top reason why it provides a unique experience in the park.

For those who love outdoor activities, El Tovar Hotel offers access to exceptional hiking trails and cycling options. The nearby Bright Angel Trail is a popular choice for hikers, providing a challenging yet rewarding journey that descends into the heart of the canyon. As you traverse the trail, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas and a profound sense of connection with the raw power of nature.

Alternatively, cycling enthusiasts can take advantage of the designated cycling routes that wind their way along the rim, providing an exhilarating and scenic adventure. The park’s shuttle service offers quick and easy access to trails all over the south rim with return trips that save time and energy.

History

Beyond its prime location, El Tovar Hotel is steeped in history. Established in 1905, it has welcomed many notable guests throughout the years, including presidents, celebrities, and distinguished figures. This historic hotel has preserved its timeless charm and architectural elegance, transporting guests back to a bygone era while still offering modern comforts and amenities. It is recognized by the Park Service as a National Historic Landmark, allowing it to be federally protected as well as operated in its unique historic setting.

Today, El Tovar Hotel operates as a full-service hotel, providing guests with a range of modern comforts. The rooms are well-appointed and offer stunning views of the canyon and surrounding forest. Inside the hotel is a cozy lounge area where guest can relax by the fireplace, recount their adventures, or simply take in the grandeur of the surroundings. The hotel retains a rustic charm, as required by its landmark designation.

The historic bar is fantastic and features many local beers. A trip to the bar after a long day’s hike is certainly a motivating factor when coming straight from the canyon. Cocktails, wine, and a variety of other drinks are also available. 

Around the El Tovar in Grand Canyon Village are several other historical sights worth visiting. Nearby is the Kolb Studio. This studio is a modern art museum with rotating exhibits, but in the past served as a dark room and storefront for the Kolb Brothers, famous photographers of the region.

The adjacent Hopi House is designed to replicate a pueblo and features unique Navajo jewelry. You’ll also have a chance to witness the Grand Canyon Railroad in action, as the train operates daily – don’t worry, it only blows its horn at 3 pm. Lastly, the Mary Colter Art Studio offers more unique artwork sourced from the surrounding area.

Dining

One of the highlights of El Tovar Hotel is its renowned dining room. This is the premiere dining room in the Grand Canyon region. The El Tovar Dining Room provides a captivating setting where guests can savor delectable cuisine while being surrounded by rustic elegance. Boasting magnificent views of the canyon, the setting is the best dining experience in the Grand Canyon area. From hearty breakfasts to elegant dinners, the menu features a variety of dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Although reservations can be hard to come by, the El Tovar Dining Room is a staple on Wildland Trekking lodge based trips.

The nearby Bright Angel Lodge also offers a rustic dining experience with a focus on regional cuisine, while the Maswik Lodge boasts a casual cafeteria-style setting. From El Tovar, you have access to an ice cream shop and second dining room with adjoining bar just steps away in the Bright Angel Lodge. There is no shortage of food at the El Tovar, with options to accommodate every diet. A grocery store on site helps provide park additional choice.

Securing reservations at the El Tovar can be a challenge, given the hotel’s popularity and limited availability. However, travelers can enjoy accommodations at this iconic hotel and ensure an unforgettable, stress-free stay, by leaving the logistics to a guide company.

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Each trail in the Grand Canyon offers its own challenges, and every rim-to-river trail is a steep descent into the middle of the Earth.  But the New Hance Trail is unlike any other, it’s intense grade and rugged route will have you to the river in a mere 6.5 miles.  The trail forces hikers to scramble down and over rocks throughout the Kaibab and Toroweap. Once you reach the grassy saddle, you begin to descend on a dry wash through the Supai formation, weaving and wandering in and out of the wash through braided trails.  Each of these braids will take hikers to the top of the Redwall, leading you on a challenging traverse for about a mile.  Watch for damage from rock slides through this section. The trail continues at a steep descent as you hike the switchbacks of the Redwall and drop to the Tonto, where you will follow the wash to the Colorado River.

The New Hance Trail is in the primitive use area of the National Park, and therefore for experienced Canyon hikers, and even then it will be a good challenge.  It is an unmaintained trail, and one of the most difficult on the South Rim.  Remember to bring plenty of water, as the only reliable water source is the Colorado River.  Any experienced hiker will enjoy the New Hance Trail, and be awarded with some of the best views on the South Rim while getting one heck of a workout.  Hikers will love the geology of Red Canyon, providing a colorful look into Earth’s history as the Supergroup layer is revealed.

Explore Grand Canyon with Expert Guides

Getting to the New Hance Trailhead

The New Hance Trailhead is approximately 16 miles from the junction of Desert View Drive and South Entrance Road.  There are two places hikers can park; the first pullout after Buggln picnic area on the south side of the road, or Moran Point.  If you park at the pullout after the Buggln picnic area, you will walk east on Desert View Drive, and if you park at Moran Point, you will walk west to the trailhead.  As you walk down Desert View Drive from where you parked, there will be a “No Parking” sign on the north side (Canyon side) of the road, this marks the quarter-mile path that will take you through the pinyon pines and junipers to the trailhead.

History of the New Hance Trail

“Captain” John Hance was the first European American to settle in the Grand Canyon in 1883.  He originally built his trails for mining purposes, but later realized that the real money was made in the tourism industry.  With his quick wit, exaggerated stories, tall tales and spontaneous personality, he became a hit with tourists.  One account recalls an encounter John Hance had with a tourist: “You must understand,” Hance warned the tourist, “that when you get to the bottom of the canyon and reach the shore of the Colorado River it is very warm. You can’t imagine how hot it is. Why, I’ll give my word, I’ve been down there when it was so hot it melted the wings off the flies.” “But, how do the tourists stand it?” the tourist asked. To which Hance smartly replied, “Madame, I have never yet seen a tourist with wings!”

The first trail he built, the “Old Hance Trail”, as it is known today, began just past Grandview Point at the start of Hance Creek drainage.  This first trail was prone to flooding and washouts, so he created the “New Hance Trail” down Red Canyon.  Red Canyon gives hikers a glimpse into the past, the Supergroup is millions of years of Earth’s history, and the last traces of the “Great Unconformity”- the gap in time from the Tapeats Sandstone and the Vishnu Schist.

The Best Day Hike on the New Hance Trail

Day hiking is a great option if you don’t have a long time in the park, or want to experience a little bit of everything.  Day hiking on the New Hance Trail is a great way to see the Grand Canyon, because in a short amount of time and distance, the canyon opens up, revealing expansive and panoramic views of the Grand Canyon and especially layers of rock that are not visible from many other trails.  Don’t forget your trekking poles, even for shorter hike, for this trail is knee-aching.

Below are the primary options for day hiking the New Hance Trail:

1. Red Canyon Overlook

Red Canyon is one of the most geologically unique areas in Grand Canyon, it’s crimson red is vibrant and impressive.  This short day hike takes you to the top of the Redwall, allowing you to look down on Red Canyon.  New Hance trail begins with an overgrown Kaibab limestone, and makes it’s way down a rocky hillside to the Coronado Butte saddle.  Over the course of the next mile, you will drop more than 1,000 feet.  Cairns mark the trail where rock slides have made navigation difficult.  The trail leads to the top of the Redwall, and continues east, traversing the ledge until reaching the top of a sandstone pinnacle, where Red Canyon comes into view for the first time.  This is a great spot for a lunch, allowing you to soak in the views.  Once ready to return to the south rim, begin hiking up the same way you came down.

Maximize Your Visit to Grand Canyon National Park on a Hiking Tour

Guided day hike tours and multi-day packages allow visitors the opportunity to make the most of their time in Grand Canyon National Park and to do it hassle-free. Guided tours include gear (backpack, trekking poles, crampons in winter), meals, accommodations on multi-day tours, local transportation, and a professional Grand Canyon hiking guide. Through their knowledge, stories, and personal passion, guides can bring a place to life in a way that’s much more difficult to do on your own. Read more about Grand Canyon Hiking Tours.

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2 New Hance Backpacking Trips

Backpacking down the New Hance is not for the faint-of-heart.  Your knees will be aching, your legs shaking, your heart thumping, but the payoff is well worth all of it. If you want an adventure with little to no crowd, a true experience of the Grand Canyon, and sights unlike any other, the New Hance is the trail for you.

1. Hance Rapid (2 days)

It’s only 6.5 miles down to the Colorado River from the New Hance trailhead, but that does not mean that it is an easy accomplishment.  The trail is steep and loose, and rock slides have obscured the trail in many sections.  Route finding skills are essential through the Supai.  Once on the Redwall, the grade appears to be gentle from above, however, there are only few switchbacks, making the trail just as steep and exposed as the sections above.  Soon though, the trail reaches the bottom of Red Canyon.  You will follow this dried creek bed to the find your solace at the Colorado River.  A feat not to be taken lightly.  This is Use Area BD9, use an established campsite, and make yourself at home for the night.  Wake early the next morning, and begin your treacherous climb back to the south rim.

2. New Hance to Grandview (3-4 days)

This trip is a shuttled loop, it is best to park one car at the trailhead of New Hance and one at Grandview, where you will end the trip. The trip can be done New Hance to Grandview, or vice versa.

Descend down the New Hance to Hance Rapid, as described above.  Make camp in Use Area BD9 at the river.  On the second morning, hike up the dried creek bed a couple yards to a large sand dune, where the Tonto Trail begins westward, marked by some cairns.  You will wind in and out of side canyons on the Tonto, while blooming agaves tower above you.  After around 7 miles, the Tonto will meet up with the Grandview trail, where Use Area BE9 is available for camping.  Or, you can continue up Grandview Trail toward Horseshoe Mesa, and make camp there for the night.  The last morning, wake early and hike out the Grandview Trail.

Join a Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip

Joining a  Grand Canyon backpacking tour is a worry-free, adventurous way to experience the Grand Canyon. With your gear, meals, local transportation, permits, and fees taken care of for you, you can travel light and focus 100% on enjoying the hiking experience, while the guide company takes care of everything else. Also, by going with local experts you’ll enjoy a greater level of safety and gain a much better understanding of the history and ecology of this remarkable region. Read more about a guided Grand Canyon backpacking trips.

All-inclusive Grand Canyon Backpacking Adventures

When to Hike and Seasonal Considerations

Grand Canyon gets hot, super hot, in the summer, so just take that into consideration when planning your trip.  Check the weather forecast for Grand Canyon before starting any hike.

Necessary Permits

Day Hike Permit

Grand Canyon National Park does not require permits for day hikes.

Backpacking Permits

Visitors are required to obtain a backcountry permit if they are planning on camping anywhere besides established campgrounds on the rim of the canyon.  Permits are easy enough to get in the off season, but during busy times of the year, they may be harder to obtain, and many trails are on a lottery system, meaning you may or may not get the trip you want.  For more information on Grand Canyon’s permit system, click here.

Suggested Packing List

Day Hike Packing List

• 3-6 liters of water (more in summer)
• broken-in boots (mens/ womens)
• Salty, calorie-rich snacks
• lunch
• backpack
• trekking poles
• crampons (in winter)
• wide-brimmed hat
• sunscreen, sunglasses
• non-cotton t-shirt
• rain jacket
• warm non-cotton layer
• 1st-aid kit

Backpacking Packing List

• all items listed for day hikes PLUS
• multi-day backpack
• 3-season tent
• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad
• headlamp
• map
• backpacking stove and fuel
• backpacking meals
• 3 pairs wool socks

Please Respect Our National Parks – Leave No Trace

We strongly recommend abiding by all Leave No Trace ethics guidelines and practices so that our national parks and public lands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and for the people and animals who call these places home. Simple things like packing out your trash, obeying national park rules, and respecting the peace and quiet of our national park trails is a great start. If you’re going on a backpacking trip, you can read about more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

The post New Hance Trail appeared first on Wildland Trekking.

Tanner Trail is located 23 miles east of Grand Canyon Village.  From the trail you can see the incredible Unkar Rapid, and the tilted layers of rock called the Grand Canyon Supergroup. It is not frequently maintained by National Park Service, and there are sections of rock slides where route finding skills are essential.  The trail is a steep descent into one of the widest and most colorful areas of the park.  From the trailhead, it is about 9 miles to the Colorado River.  There are also two primitive trails that intersect with Tanner Trail, the Escalante running west, and the Beamer running east.  The Tanner Trail is perfect for getting you deep into the canyon on great and foreign trails. With wide-open views and layers of exposed rock unseen many other places, the views from Tanner Trail look like a photograph on a postcard from long ago.  The views are some of the best in all of Grand Canyon National Park.

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Getting to the Tanner Trailhead

The Tanner Trailhead is located at Lipan Point off Desert View Drive. From South Entrance Road, Lipan Point is 23 miles east.  And from the Desert View entrance station, it is 6 miles.  There is a small parking lot at the point where you can leave your car.  The trailhead starts just east of the parking area, there is a large interpretive sign marking it.

History of the Tanner Trail

The route was originally used by the Anasazi and Hopi tribes to access the Colorado River.  These days, most historians believe that Tanner Canyon is the spot where García López de Cárdenas stood in 1540, becoming the first European to see the Grand Canyon.  Later, it was named Tanner Trail after the prospector Seth Tanner, who improved the trail so he could have better access to his mining claims in the canyon.

The Grand Canyon Supergroup is visible from the Tanner Trail, and is every geologists’ dream.  In much of the Grand Canyon, the Supergroup is unable to be seen, simply because it is not there, it has been eroded away.  So, being able to view the Supergroup from Tanner Trail and other points on east Desert View Drive is pretty extraordinary.  It is also the last trace of the “Great Unconformity”– the millions of years of rock history that is missing between the Tapeats sandstone and the Vishnu Schist.

2 Best Day Hikes on the Tanner Trail

Day hiking on the Tanner Trail is world-class because of it’s wide-open views.  Hikers are able to see for miles and miles, and see some of the most spectacular rock layers in the canyon, in a short amount of time.  As always, make sure you bring plenty of water on these trips, as the only water is at the Colorado River.

Below are the primary options for day hiking the Tanner Trail:

1. Tanner Canyon Saddle

The first part of Tanner Trail is narrow and steep, and requires very sure footing.  It slopes down through the Toroweap and once you reach the Coconino, there are many sections of the trail that are taken over by previous rock slides.  The trail descends steeply all the way down to the saddle.  This is a great stop to take a break and look out into the beauty of the canyon.  When ready to head back to the rim, simply turn and hike out the same way you came down.

2. Palisades of the Desert Overlook

This overlook is past the Seventyfive Mile Creek – Tanner Canyon saddle, as described above.  Some say that the only civilized hiking on the entire trail belongs to this section of the Tanner Trail.  Nearing the bottom of the Supai, you will traverse the base of Cardenas and Escalante Buttes.  As you reach the top of the Redwall, Tanner Trail will continue to your right, descending a series of switchbacks.  Instead of following the trail down the switchbacks, continue straight for about a hundred feet.  Here, is a great picnic spot with views of the widest part of the Grand Canyon.  Take in these views with pride, not many people get to experience the Grand Canyon like this.  When ready to return the the south rim, follow the Tanner Trail up the same way you came down.

Maximize Your Visit to Grand Canyon National Park on a Hiking Tour

Guided day hike tours and multi-day packages allow visitors the opportunity to make the most of their time in Grand Canyon National Park and to do it hassle-free. Guided tours include gear (backpack, trekking poles, crampons in winter), meals, accommodations on multi-day tours, local transportation, and a professional Arizona hiking guide. Through their knowledge, stories, and personal passion, guides can bring a place to life in a way that’s much more difficult to do on your own. Read more about Grand Canyon Hiking Tours.

Award Winning USA Hiking Vacations

3 Tanner Backpacking Trips

The Tanner Trail is a premier backpacking trail because of it’s panoramic views right from the start.  Also, because you have access to other incredible trails to the east and west, the Escalante Route and the Beamer Trail.

1. Tanner Beach (2 days)

Getting down the the Colorado River via the Tanner Trail is no easy feat.  Rock slides have taken out many sections of trail at the top, and many parts are narrow and steep.  The National Park Service even goes as far as to say that the Redwall is “nasty”, as it is steep and loose and unforgiving.  You will reach a small saddle on top of the Tapeats Sandstone, and eventually get to the Dox Sandstone, a layer in the Supergroup unseen many other places.  However, the trail chokes down to about a feet wide and traverses along a slope.  Continue descending boldly as the trail drops to the shoreline of the Colorado River.  This is Use Area BB9 and allows backpackers to camp anywhere in the area, although using pre-established sites is highly suggested. Wake early  the next morning, filter water from the Colorado, and start your steep ascent back to the rim.

2. Escalante Route (4 days)

This trip is done using a shuttle system, leaving one car at the trailhead of the Tanner Trail and one at the New Hance Trail.  It can be done Tanner to New Hance, or vice versa.  The Escalante route is a tough route and not for beginners.

The Escalante Route has steep exposure, with almost no shade whatsoever.  But, it is one of the most beautiful and rewarding hikes in the entire park.  Backpackers will hike down to Tanner Beach, as described above, and may want to camp in Use Area BB9 after the grueling 9 mile descent.  Wake up the second morning ready for the adventure of your lifetime.  On the beach of the river, look for a rock-lined path that leads downriver.  This will take you up on a bench, where you will traverse across the Supergroup to a dry Cardenas Creek.  From here, the trail is steep and exposed, and will take you on a climb, winding in and out.  Use Area BC9 is all along the Escalante Route, so make use of an established site if you are in need of rest.  The route continues over ridges and and through dried up creek beds; dropping you down to river level, only to have you hiking up cliffs again. You will eventually get to Hance Rapid and the mouth of Red Canyon.  At this point you can either spend the night at the beach, or continue up the New Hance Trail for a campsite.  On the morning of the fourth day, wake early and start your hike out of the middle of the earth, to the south rim.

3. Beamer Trail to Little Colorado River (4 days)

The Beamer Trail begins near the beach of Tanner Rapid, it is not marked by a sign, but rather by rock cairn.  The trail is hard to follow– it will have you going up, down, over cliffs, on the side of cliffs; extreme exposure is very present on this trail.  You will be following rock cairns the entire way, if you are even unsure of where the trail is, pause and take a look around, you should be able to see one of the many rock stacks.  Due to lack of water and shade, it is a particularly difficult trip, since the only water source is the Colorado River, which can be very sediment-laced and difficult to filter.  It is not recommended to drink out of the Little Colorado, due to uranium contamination.

If you are still up for the challenge, you are rewarded with amazing views of the Colorado River the entire way, big views of the North Rim, and of course, the sacred site of the Little Colorado Confluence.  Camping is not allowed at the point of the confluence, so you will be camping about a half mile shy of the confluence at a small beach.  This trip is best done spending one night at Tanner Beach, one night at the spot right before the confluence, and then one last night at Tanner before making your ascent back to the rim.  In order to see the turquoise color of the Little Colorado mixing with the Colorado River, it is best to check with the backcountry office for current conditions, because it is not always running this color, due to storms and water runoff.

Join a Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip

Joining a Grand Canyon backpacking tour is a worry-free, adventurous way to experience Grand Canyon. With your gear, meals, local transportation, permits, and fees taken care of for you, you can travel light and focus 100% on enjoying the hiking experience, while the guide company takes care of everything else. Also, by going with local experts you’ll enjoy a greater level of safety and gain a much better understanding of the history and ecology of this remarkable region. Read more about a guided Grand Canyon backpacking trips.

All-inclusive Grand Canyon Backpacking Adventures

When to Hike and Seasonal Considerations

The Grand Canyon is known for getting hot, and the Tanner Trail is specifically noted for being unusually hot.  This wide-open area of the canyon means that the hot summer sun rises early and sets late.  There is also no water along the trail, and therefore no vegetation, and not much shade.  Make sure you bring sunscreen and long-sleeve layers for protection against the sun.  Since the only water source is the Colorado River, make sure you bring plenty with you, and consider caching water for the way up.  Always check the weather of the Grand Canyon before starting any trip.

Necessary Permits

Day Hike Permits

Day hikes do no require a permit in Grand Canyon National Park.

Backpacking Permits

If you are planning a backcountry trip, you will need a permit.  In the busy season, many trails’ permits are through a lottery system, and advanced planning is essential.  For more information on Grand Canyon’s permit system, click here.

Suggested Packing List

Day Hike Packing List

• 3-6 liters of water (more in summer)
• Salty, calorie-rich snacks
• lunch
• backpack
• trekking poles
• crampons (in winter)
• wide-brimmed hat
• sunscreen, sunglasses
• non-cotton t-shirt
• rain jacket (mens/ womens)
• warm non-cotton layer
• 1st-aid kit

Backpacking Packing List

• all items listed for day hikes PLUS
• multi-day backpack
• 3-season tent
• map
• headlamp
• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad
• backpacking stove and fuel
• backpacking meals
• 3 pairs wool socks
• extra t-shirts
• water filter or water filter tablets
• large dromedary to carry extra water

Please Respect Our National Parks – Leave No Trace

We strongly recommend abiding by all Leave No Trace ethics guidelines and practices so that our national parks and public lands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and for the people and animals who call these places home. Simple things like packing out your trash, obeying national park rules, and respecting the peace and quiet of our national park trails is a great start. If you’re going on a backpacking trip, you can read about more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

The post Tanner Trail appeared first on Wildland Trekking.

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Getting to the Bright Angel Trailhead

The Bright Angel Trailhead is located in the Village, just west of Bright Angel Lodge.  Visitors can park their cars at Maswik Lodge or the backcountry office for easy access.  The National Park Service also offers a free shuttle bus that drops off right in front of the trailhead.

History of the Bright Angel Trail

Native Americans used routes through the Bright Angel Fault to reach the Colorado River.  Until the 1880s, the Havasupai tribe lived at Havasupai Garden, as it is known today, about 4.5 miles down the Bright Angel Trail.  Once the tribe was moved out of the area, Ralph Cameron built the trail as we know it.  He held mining claims that gave him access to the entire area, and when he realized the real money was made in the tourism industry, he built a camp for tourists at Havasupai Garden.  Cameron charged a one dollar toll for visitors to use his Bright Angel Trail.  The Grand Canyon’s famous photographer brothers, the Kolbs, began their life in the canyon by working as his toll collectors.  The brothers would also photograph visitors riding mules on the Bright Angel Trail, and since the only water available was down at Havasupai Garden, they would run the 4.5 miles to the stream there, develop their film, and run 4.5 miles back up to the rim, all before the visitors returned on mule.

Coconino County took over the trail in 1912, when Ralph Cameron’s right to operate the trail as a toll road expired.  And when Grand Canyon became a National Park in 1919, NPS began to manage the lands around the trail, but the trail still belonged to the County.  This led to ongoing battles of control over the trail, and it wasn’t until 1928 that the Park Service took over management of the trail.  NPS finished the black bridge across the river around this same time, and enlisted the Civilian Conservation Corps to build the Colorado River Trail, linking the Bright Angel Trail with the South Kaibab Trail.

3 Best Day Hikes on the Bright Angel Trail

The Bright Angel Trail is the one of the best trails for day hiking in the Grand Canyon.  With water access and bathrooms along the way, this makes it one of the park’s premier trails for day hikes.  If you want to get down into the canyon and it’s your first time at the park, this is the best trail for you.

Below are the primary options for day hiking the Bright Angel Trail:

1. Three-Mile Resthouse

This hike is very straightforward, and perfect for all ages and abilities.  Begin at the Bright Angel Trailhead in Grand Canyon Village.  The trail will take you on a series of switchbacks.  For most of the hike you will be in the back of the Bright Angel Fault, surrounded closely by the canyon walls.  It’s a great way to grasp how thick the layers are and how big the canyon is.  After 1.5 miles you will reach Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, which has a bathroom and water station.  This is another good place to turn around if you start to feel the effects of the altitude.  But if you continue further down the trail, you will keep progressing down the slight grade.

Bright Angel Trail is one of the most trafficked trails in the park, and you will definitely notice the crowds.  Remember that uphill hikers have the right of way since they are doing the hard part, and to stay on the right side of the trail.  At 3 miles down, you will reach the Three-Mile Resthouse.  Here is another set of bathrooms and water station.  Make sure you fill up you water resevoirs before heading back up toward the South Rim.

2. Plateau Point

Start at the Bright Angel Trailhead and snake your way down the many, many switchbacks.  You will pass Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, and Three-Mile Resthouse and continue on to Havasupai Garden.  A beautiful oasis nestled in the crease of the canyon wall, Havasupai Garden is 4.5 miles down the Bright Angel Trail.  From here you will veer west, following signs for Plateau Point. The point is another 1.5 miles past Havasupai Garden.  At Plateau Point, you will be overlooking the Colorado River, and able to look deep into the inner canyon gorge.  This is one of the best views of the river without actually standing on it’s beaches.  To return to the South Rim, simply turn around, and retrace your steps back up the trail.

3. Rim-to-River-to-Rim

Getting to the river and back to the rim in just one day is a big commitment.  It is for hikers who are physically fit and have hiking experience.  It also helps if you have given your body some time to adjust to the altitude.  The way most people do rim-to-river is to start on the South Kaibab trail.  You can take a free NPS shuttle bus from the visitor center to the trailhead.  The South Kaibab trailhead to the Colorado River is 7 mile trail. Please note there is no water along the South Kaibab trail, so you must carry enough with you to get to Phantom Ranch at the river. You can read all about the South Kaibab trail here.

Once you reach the river via South Kaibab, you will cross the Colorado River on the silver bridge, and make your way past Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch.  Make sure to spend some time at Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Creek, if time allows.  Fill up your water at Phantom Ranch before crossing the river on the black bridge to the Bright Angel Trail.  From the river, you will hike a sandy path and traverse the river until you get to the Bright Angel Fault.  You will hike the switchbacks of “Devil’s Corkscrew” until you reach Havasupai Garden, the halfway point of the trail. Take a break in the shade of the cottonwoods at Havasupai Garden, and continue up the trail for the another 4.5 miles.  Once you reach the South Rim, get some ice cream, you deserve it.

Maximize Your Visit to Grand Canyon on Hiking Tour

Guided day hike tours and multi-day packages allow visitors the opportunity to make the most of their time in Grand Canyon National Park and to do it hassle-free. Guided tours include gear (backpack, trekking poles, crampons in winter), meals, accommodations on multi-day tours, local transportation, and a professional Grand Canyon hiking guide. Through their knowledge, stories, and personal passion, guides can bring a place to life in a way that’s much more difficult to do on your own. Read more about Grand Canyon Hiking Tours.

Award Winning USA Hiking Vacations

3 Grand Canyon Backpacking Trips

[Opening sentence about backpacking trips from this trail]

1. Rim-to-Rim (3-4 days)

This world-class through-hike from south to north rim belongs on your bucket list.  From the Bright Angel trailhead on the south rim, you will descend down the switchbacks to Havasupai Garden, which has an option for spending the night.  After Havasupai Garden, backpackers will reach the “Devil’s Corkscrew”, a series of steep switchbacks all the way down to the Colorado River. Cross the Colorado River on the black bridge and make your way to Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground.  Spend time soaking in Bright Angel Creek and watching river rafters pass by.

Begin the next morning up the North Kaibab trail, through the infamous “The Box”, and up the north side of Bright Angel Fault.  Ribbon Falls is a great side trip if time allows for it, the trail junction is 5.6 miles from Bright Angel Campground.  After another 1.6 miles (7.2 from Bright Angel Campground), you will reach Cottonwood Campground, a great option for spending the night.  On the final day, you will climb 6.8 miles to the North Rim, and celebrate!  Trans-Canyon Shuttle offers a shuttle service back to the South Rim.

2. Hermit Loop (3 days)

This trip is done as a loop with help from the NPS shuttle buses.  Begin down the Bright Angel Trail until you reach Havasupai Garden, 4.5 miles from the rim.  At Havasupai Garden, you will follow signs for the Tonto Trail.  Continue west on the Tonto for 2.5 miles until you get to Horn Creek.  There is a beautiful campsite here (the water is not drinkable, even with a filter) with purple-blooming trees in the springtime, and shade in the summertime.  If Horn Creek Campground is unavailable, there are other great options along the Tonto Trail– Salt Creek, Cedar Spring, or Monument Creek.  Monument Creek is the largest drainage on this section of the Tonto Trail and provides access to the Colorado River.  A trip to the Colorado River here lets you get up close and personal with Granite Rapid.  After Monument Creek, follow the trail until you reach the Hermit Trail junction, where you can head south and camp at the historic Hermit Camp, or head north toward the rim.

3. Bright Angel Campground/ Phantom Ranch (3 days)

Begin down the Bright Angel Trail, as watch the crowds diminish the further and further you go.  Fill up you water at the resthouses along the way– there are pit toilets at these locations also, and it is a good idea to use them because there is not much privacy along the trail.  After 4.5 miles, you will cruise into Havasupai Garden, and spend the first night here.  If time allows, make the trip out to Plateau Point for sunset or sunrise.  And the next morning, continue down the trail to the Colorado River.  Along the way you’ll pass through the amazing Tapeats sandstone and the infamous “Devils Corkscrew”.  To get to Phantom Ranch, you’ll use the river trail, a two-mile long, sandy trail looking down on the river.

Cross the river on the swinging black bridge and hike through Phantom Ranch to Bright Angel Campground.  It is possible to stay in a cabin or bunkhouse, reservations must be made well in advance though.  Spend your evening soaking your muscles in Bright Angel Creek, attending the ranger program and playing cards with friends at the Cantina.  The next morning, wake up and begin the grueling uphill which the canyon is famous for.

Join a Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip

Joining a Grand Canyon backpacking tour is a worry-free, adventurous way to experience Grand Canyon. With your gear, meals, local transportation, permits, and fees taken care of for you, you can travel light and focus 100% on enjoying the hiking experience, while the guide company takes care of everything else. Also, by going with local experts you’ll enjoy a greater level of safety and gain a much better understanding of the history and ecology of this remarkable region. Read more about a guided Grand Canyon backpacking trip.

All-inclusive Grand Canyon Backpacking Adventures

When to Hike and Seasonal Considerations

It is best to do the Bright Angel Trail in spring and fall, as the summer is the busiest time of year for the park, and this is the busiest trail in the park.  If your trip is in the summer, please keep in mind that the temperature gets hotter as you travel further into the canyon, and is 15 degrees hotter at the river than at the rim.  Check the weather at the Grand Canyon, and always bring 3-6 liters of water when hiking.

Necessary Permits

Day Hike Permits

Permits are not required for day hiking at Grand Canyon National Park.

Backpacking Permits

Permits are required for camping anywhere besides the established campgrounds on the rim.  Permits for popular backpacking trips are on a lottery system, are require advanced planning. For more information on Grand Canyon’s permit system, click here.

Suggested Packing List

Day Hike Packing List

• 3-6 liters of water (more in summer)
• Salty, calorie-rich snacks
• broken-in hiking boots
• lunch
• backpack
• trekking poles
• crampons (in winter)
• wide-brimmed hat
• sunscreen, sunglasses
• non-cotton t-shirt
• rain jacket
• warm non-cotton layer
• 1st-aid kit

Backpacking Packing List

• all items listed for day hikes PLUS
• multi-day backpack
• 3-season tent
• headlamp
• water filter
• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad
• backpacking stove and fuel
• backpacking meals
• 3 pairs wool socks
• extra t-shirts

Please Respect Our National Parks – Leave No Trace

We strongly recommend abiding by all Leave No Trace ethics guidelines and practices so that our national parks and public lands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and for the people and animals who call these places home. Simple things like packing out your trash, obeying national park rules, and respecting the peace and quiet of our national park trails is a great start. If you’re going on a backpacking trip, you can read about more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

The post Bright Angel Trail appeared first on Wildland Trekking.

The Boucher (pronounced Boo-shay) Trail is not for the faint of heart.  It will challenge even experienced canyon hikers.  This trail traverses what seems like an eternity on top of the Redwall, and once you reach the break in the Redwall, you will experience a knee-destroying descent, making you pause and wonder if it is all worth it.  The answer is yes, absolutely.  Boucher Trail provides seclusion and spectacle, giving strong-willed hikers a view that not many get to see.  Grand Canyon seems to recognize your hard work and rewards you with amazing side-canyons, access to trails which look down on one of the most intense and spectacular rapids on the river, wildlife encounters, and a chance to relax on the beaches of the mighty Colorado River.

Explore Grand Canyon with Expert Guides

Getting to the Boucher Trailhead

The Boucher Trailhead is actually off the Hermit Trail.  Hikers can drive Hermits Road December 1st through February 28th, but any other time of the year, the road has restricted access and you must obtain a permit from the backcountry office, or ride the free NPS shuttle bus.  Boucher Trail junction is 2.7 miles from the Hermit Trailhead.

History of the Boucher Trail

Boucher Trail was built by Louis Boucher, who lived alone in the Grand Canyon for 20 years.  He first got to the canyon in 1891 and initially prospected for mineral deposits.  Boucher soon realized that the real money was in the tourism industry, and thus began guiding visitors into the canyon.  Labeled a “hermit”, because he lived alone, he was, in fact, a very crucial part of the growth of tourism within Grand Canyon National Park.  Louis Boucher is also the namesake of the Hermit Trail.

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2 Best Day Hikes on the Boucher Trail

Boucher Trail offers great day hiking options.  This trail is difficult and is a very big difference from the typical day-hiking trails on the South Rim.  Hikers may encounter wildlife, big canyon walls, and most importantly, solitude.

Below are the primary options for day hiking the Boucher Trail:

1. Dripping Spring

To reach Dripping Spring, you will start your hike down the Hermit Trail, after 1.5 miles, look for the junction for Dripping Spring.  You will be hiking along a cliff’s edge with big drops-offs, therefore hikers with vertigo should take extra care in this section.  After traversing the edge, you will be hiking over boulder slides and slowly gain elevation to reach Dripping Spring.  The spring is marked by a sign and is  a wonderful oasis inside the Grand Canyon.  This water source is not permanent, and it is recommended that you pack in enough water for the entire hike.  When ready, return to the South Rim the same way you came.  Boucher Trail is great for those that want to see a less trafficked part of the canyon and will be rewarded with tremendous views.

2. Yuma Point

Head to Dripping Spring junction, where you will see the Boucher trail heading north along the Supai formation.  You will be traversing the Supai, and staying mostly level as you hike along the ridge line.  The views are incredible the entire time and there are amazing rock formations and pinyon pines and junipers that appear to be gardened by ancient bonsai artists.  Yuma Point offers your first view to the west and there is an established, but primitive campsite.  Looking east to west, you’ll be stunned by the views; this is also a great place for a well-deserved lunch.  Keep an eye open for the California Condor soaring high above you.  There is no water along this route and the ridge line can be particularly toasty as there is no shade.  When you are ready, head back to the south rim on the same trail.

Maximize Your Visit to Grand Canyon on Hiking Tour

Guided day hike tours and multi-day packages allow visitors the opportunity to make the most of their time in Grand Canyon National Park and to do it hassle-free. Guided tours include gear (backpack, trekking poles, crampons in winter), meals, accommodations on multi-day tours, local transportation, and a professional Grand Canyon hiking guide. Through their knowledge, stories, and personal passion, guides can bring a place to life in a way that’s much more difficult to do on your own. Read more about Grand Canyon Hiking Tours.

Award Winning USA Hiking Vacations

2 Boucher Trail Backpacking Trips

The Boucher Trail is one of the best backpacking trails in the park with amazing opportunities for world class backpacking trips.  With panoramic views and leg-quaking descents, backpackers will experience this primitive trail as Louis Boucher did back in the day.  If you have the time and resources, and sleeping under the stars, scrambling up and over rocks to the Colorado River, and experiencing the silence of the Grand Canyon is your idea of a thrill, then this is the best backpacking you can get.

1. Boucher Rapid/ Creek (3-4 days)

Begin at the Hermit Trailhead, follow downhill for 1.5 miles to the Dripping Spring junction, then one more mile to the Boucher Trail junction.  Traverse above the Redwall past Yuma Point and around until you reach the break in the Redwall.  Here, the trail is crumbly and knee-throbbing, and drops 1,400 feet in just a mile.  Continue on the Boucher Trail past the Tonto Trail, and you will reach Boucher Creek.  There is a campground at the creek, tucked under the trees.  You can also follow the creek downstream where it flows into the Colorado River.  Boucher Rapid provides many great campsites.

On the next day, you can hike back up to Boucher Creek campground and drop your pack for a day hike.  If you go toward the Colorado River for about half a mile, you can reach the Tonto Trail going east.  Follow that for 2.5 miles to look down on Crystal Rapids, one of the most impressive rapids on the river.  Spend the night under the amazing stars, and see why Grand Canyon earns the title of a Dark Sky Park.  When ready to return to the rim, get an early start and make sure your water reservoirs are filled to the brim from the creek.  This is one of the toughest ascents in the entire park.

2. Boucher to Hermit Loop (4-5 days)

Descend down the Boucher Trail to the Colorado River as described above, and spend one or two nights down at the rapid or creek, or both. On day three, get on the Tonto Trail, weaving in and out of side canyons, and make sure to spend a little extra time at Travertine Canyon, which offers a good side hike up the dry tributary.  There are great views along the way of the Colorado River and spots to sit in the sun for a while.  The Tonto will drop to Hermit Creek where the campground is waiting.

If you thought Boucher Creek was amazing, wait until you see the amazing Tapeats sandstone of Hermit Creek, as the trail weaves in and out of the creek down to the river.  Hermit Rapid is only 1.5 miles from the campground and is totally worth the trip down.  Another good option once camp is set up is to explore the historic Hermit Camp.  To finish the trip, you will be heading up the Hermit Trail, which is steep, rocky and sometimes unforgiving.  Again, get an early start, and you are able to fill up your water at Santa Maria Spring before your final ascent to the rim.

Join a Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip

Joining a Grand Canyon backpacking tour is a worry-free, adventurous way to experience Grand Canyon. With your gear, meals, local transportation, permits, and fees taken care of for you, you can travel light and focus 100% on enjoying the hiking experience, while the guide company takes care of everything else. Also, by going with local experts you’ll enjoy a greater level of safety and gain a much better understanding of the history and ecology of this remarkable region. Read more about a guided Grand Canyon backpacking trips.

All-inclusive Grand Canyon Backpacking Adventures

The post Boucher Trail appeared first on Wildland Trekking.

History of the Hermit Trail

The Hermit trail along with Hermits road and Hermit rest is named after Louis D. Boucher (pronounced Boo-Shay) who was a French Canadian trapper/miner who lived near Dripping Spring. Boucher acquired his nickname because he lived alone in the Grand Canyon for 20 years, despite being a sociable character. He was a important part of the South Rim community and later became a guide for the Hermit Camp. Like most trails in the Grand Canyon, the Hermit Trail was originally a Native American route used for Ancestral Puebloans and later the Havasupai to gather plants and hunt animals.

The trail was formally built by the Santa Fe Railroad for the Fred Harvey Company to access the Hermit Camp, situated on the Tonto formation.  The camp was built in the 1910s and included a tramway into the canyon, a fully functioning automobile, and high-end canvas cabins for wealthy patrons.  Hermit Camp was very successful for about 20 years, but was shut down in the early 1930s so the National Park Service could focus it’s efforts on Phantom Ranch.  It was abandoned and all that remains of the Hermit Camp are building foundations, an underground cellar, a mule corral and relics from that era– which can all be seen from the trail. In the 1970s, when hiking and backpacking became more popular, the National Park Service repaired the trail and made improvements while keeping the historic cobblestone pathways in good condition.

3 Best Day Hikes on the Hermit Trail

The Hermit Trail offers wonderful day hiking options and is a much quieter trail than the busy Bright Angel or South Kaibab trails.

Below are the primary options for day hiking the Hermit Trail:

1. Santa Maria Spring

To reach Santa Maria Spring, you will drop 1640 ft in 2.2 miles. The trail is rocky and steep, so trekking poles are recommended. As with all Grand Canyon trails, the difficulty of the hike will be determined by the time of year you decide to go, as summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees fahrenheit. The trail will start out in a small pygmy forest which quickly gives way to great views of the Hermit Basin and Waldron Canyon. When you reach the Coconino sandstone, you will see the intricate historic trail construction. The trail will flatten out once on the Supai formation and you will have good break spots under the pinyon pines and juniper trees. Once ready, continue down the Hermit Trail to the Santa Maria shelter which offers great shade and a permanent water source which you can use to replenish your thirst and reservoirs, only after filtering or treating the water.  After enjoying the shade and signing the hikers log in the ammo can, return to the South Rim the same you came.

2. Dripping Spring

To reach Dripping Spring, you will start your hike down the Hermit Trail (see description above), after 1.5 miles, look for the junction for Dripping Spring. The trail will leave the Waldron Basin and head west along along the Supai formation. You will be hiking along a cliff’s edge with big drops-offs, therefore hikers with vertigo should take extra care in this section. The views are absolutely stunning; looking up to your left you will see the massive sheer walls of the Coconino sandstone and  Kaibab limestone, which look like ancient walls to a fortress of long ago. After traversing the cliff’s edge, you will be hiking over boulder slides and slowly gain elevation to reach Dripping Spring.

The spring is marked by a sign and is  a wonderful oasis inside the Grand Canyon. If hiking in springtime, the trees will be in full bloom, so you may forget that you’re in Arizona, leaving you to wonder if you’re in the Garden of Eden. This water source is not permanent, and it is recommended that you pack in enough water for the entire hike. When ready, return to the South Rim the same way you came. This is a great trail for those that want to see a less trafficked part of the canyon and will be rewarded with tremendous views.

3. Breezy Point

Breezy Point offers great panoramic views of the inner canyon gorge and is not much lower in elevation than Santa Maria Spring. It is, however, three miles farther, so if under taken as a day hike, it is only recommended for physically fit and prepared hikers. Again, you will want to get a early start to beat the heat if hiking in the summertime. Once past the Santa Maris Spring shelter, you will traverse the Supai formation for 3 more miles. This bends in and out and may seem to last forever before reaching your destination. The trail will traverse multiple rock slides where you will have to do some small trail finding.  Once you reach Breezy Point, there are great places to eat lunch while you soak in the expansive canyon views.  Breezy Point is a great destination for the determined hiker because you will experience amazing, jaw-dropping panoramas.  To reach the South Rim return in which the way you came and remember to fill up on water at Santa Maria Spring.

Maximize Your Visit to Grand Canyon National Park on a Hiking Tour

Guided day hike tours and multi-day packages allow visitors the opportunity to make the most of their time in Grand Canyon National Park and to do it hassle-free. Guided tours include gear (backpack, trekking poles, crampons in winter), meals, accommodations on multi-day tours, local transportation, and a professional Grand Canyon hiking guide. Through their knowledge, stories, and personal passion, guides can bring a place to life in a way that’s much more difficult to do on your own. Read more about Grand Canyon Hiking Tours.

3 Hermit Trail Backpacking Trips

Backpacking on the Hermit Trail is tremendous because of the diversity that you can experience.  The side canyons that surround the trail have steep and impressive walls and evidence of past rock slides with boulders the size of houses, and the accessibility of the Colorado River and some of the large rapids, make getting to the river so rewarding.

1. Hermit Trailhead to Hermit Rapid (2-3 days)

This is a spectacular backpacking trip because it gives you a chance to experience a huge part of human life in the Grand Canyon and development of trails.  Get a glimpse into the past as you walk through time on your journey to one of the bigger rapids on the Colorado River.  Strong backpackers can do the out-and-back trip in just two days, but if you want to take your time, it is recommended to do the trip in three days, so you have more time to explore. While at Hermit Campground, take time to check out the remnants of the historic Hermit Camp.  You’ll be camping in either the Hermit Campground with its amazing sandstone walls and life-nourishing creek, or on the sandy beach of Hermit Rapid, enjoying the stars before being lulled to sleep by the roar of the mighty Colorado River.

2. Hermit Trailhead to Granite Rapid (3-4 days)

This trip is wonderful because it allows backpackers to view some of the best rapids accessible from the South Rim, some unique rock formations, and is a great trail to spot reptiles.  You have the option to stay at Hermit Campground, Hermit Rapid, Monument Creek, or Granite Rapid, which will offer great diversity in a short amount of time.

From the Hermit Trail going to Granite Rapid, you will look for the trail junction pointing to Monument Creek, and begin your trek across the Tonto formation to your destination.  Monument Creek is named after the unique pinnacles that surround the side canyon.  The campground is beautiful with it’s sandstone walls and small, stunned trees with lush vegetation, keep an eye out for the collared lizard which stands on it’s hind legs and runs like a miniature Tyrannosaurus Rex when frightened.  To get to Granite Rapid, follow the wash downstream to the river.  It is another large rapid on the Colorado River and was formed by a flash flood in 1984, sweeping debris downstream and depositing it in the river. To finish this trip, return to the South Rim via the leg-burning, bum-busting Hermit Trail.

3. Hermit Loop (3-4 days)

This trip is done as a loop, with help from the free NPS shuttle buses.  You will begin down the Hermit Trail, look for the junction sign pointing toward Monument Creek, and here you will begin on the Tonto formation.  Camping is available at Monument Creek, Cedar Spring, Salt Creek and Horn Creek along the Tonto Trail.

You will continue on the long and beautiful Tonto Trail until arriving at Havasupai Garden. There is an option to stay here for a night, and if you do, it is well worth it to wake early for sunrise and watch the canyon come to life at the panoramic Plateau Point.  The last leg of this trip is up the busy Bright Angel Trail, that tops out at the famous South Rim Village.  It is here that you can catch a shuttle bus back up to the Hermit Trailhead for your car.  This trip offers amazing views of the canyon, vistas of the Colorado River, big rapids, plethora of plants, and a chance to spot wildlife such as the California Condor, and ringtail cat.  The trip can also be done in the reverse direction.

Join a Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip

Joining a Grand Canyon backpacking tour is a worry-free, adventurous way to experience [national park]. With your gear, meals, local transportation, permits, and fees taken care of for you, you can travel light and focus 100% on enjoying the hiking experience, while the guide company takes care of everything else. Also, by going with local experts you’ll enjoy a greater level of safety and gain a much better understanding of the history and ecology of this remarkable region. Read more about a guided Grand Canyon backpacking trips.

When to Hike and Seasonal Considerations

The Grand Canyon gets hot, super hot, in the summer.  Be sure to check the weather before you head out on any trail.

Necessary Permits

Day Hike Permits

Permits are not required for day hikes in Grand Canyon National Park.

Backpacking Permits

Visitors are required to obtain permits if camping anywhere besides the established campgrounds on the rim of the canyon. It’s important to not attempt to hike and camp inside the Canyon without the necessary Grand Canyon backpacking permits.  For permit information at the Grand Canyon, click here. 

Getting to the Hermit Trailhead

Getting to the Hermit Trailhead can be a little tricky. The first thing to know is that the Hermit Road is only open to private vehicles from December to February. From March 1st to December it is closed to visitors driving their own cars. You may ride one of the NPS free shuttle buses that leave every 15 minutes, and have pick up stops by the visitor center and various locations in the village. The buses make numerous stops at the scenic viewpoints on the seven-mile long Hermit Road. The last stop is at Hermit’s Rest, and the trail head is located about 300 yards at the end of the dirt road located next to the bathrooms and water refill station. If you acquire a backcountry permit, you can may get permission to drive the road yourself. Another way to gain access to the trailhead is by hiring a taxi from Xanterra. Keep in mind the National Park service closes Hermit Road due to heavy snow, lightning, and other bad weather.

Suggested Packing List

Day Hike Packing List

• 3-6 liters of water (more in summer)
• salty, calorie-rich snacks
• lunch
• backpack
• trekking poles
• crampons (in winter)
• wide-brimmed hat
• sunscreen, sunglasses
• non-cotton t-shirt
• rain jacket
• warm non-cotton layer
• 1st-aid kit

Backpacking Packing List

• all items listed for day hikes PLUS
• multi-day backpack
• 3-season tent
• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad
• headlamp
• water filter
• backpacking stove and fuel
• backpacking meals
• 3 pairs wool socks
• animal-proof food storage containers

Please Respect Our National Parks – Leave No Trace

We strongly recommend abiding by all Leave No Trace ethics guidelines and practices so that our national parks and public lands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and for the people and animals who call these places home. Simple things like packing out your trash, obeying national park rules, and respecting the peace and quiet of our national park trails is a great start. If you’re going on a backpacking trip, you can read about more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

The post Hermit Trail appeared first on Wildland Trekking.

The Grandview Trail follows parts of a historic trail, and while most sections are well-built, some seem to be eroded away with time.  The Kaibab and Toroweap is a steep descent and some of the old trail has eroded.  “Stairs” were built using horizontal logs to create steps and pinned into the cliff face.  Use caution, as this section is hazardous and is not advised for those afraid of heights.  The Coconino uses cobblestone pathways to create a smooth(ish) surface, which helps reduce steepness.  Remnants of mining structures and operations scatter Horseshoe Mesa, but remember to leave these objects where you find them.

Most backpackers use Grandview Trail to get to the Tonto Trail in order to access deeper parts of the Grand Canyon.  Once at the junction of Grandview and Tonto trails, you can go east 2.2 miles to Hance Creek, or west 1.5 miles to Cottonwood Creek. This trail offers world-class scenery, wide-open landscapes, dizzying drop-offs, and access to deeper parts of the canyon.

Getting to the Grandview Trailhead

The trailhead starts at Grandview Point, off Desert View Drive.  From the junction of Desert View Drive and South Entrance Road, the viewpoint is about 12 miles east.  Once at the viewpoint, there is an interpretive sign marking to start of the trail.

History of the Grandview Trail

The Grandview Trail was one of the most prominent trails used for mining in the late 1800’s.  Miners spread out and combed through much of the canyon, before finding what they were looking for on Horseshoe Mesa. Rich copper deposits were found, and promised wealth to the miners. Only, however, if they were removed from the depths of the canyon.  Looking to cash in on their finds, a rough trail was blazed, originally known as Berry Trail, now known as Grandview Trail.  The trail follows the historic route used by miners and their mule trains to transport copper ore from Last Chance Mine on Horseshoe Mesa.  Hikers can see the green-tinted ground as they walk across the remnants of this bygone time period.

3 Best Day Hikes on the Grandview Trail

Day hiking is magnificent on the Grandview Trail because once you are down the steep Coconino sandstone, the canyon opens up.  With wide-open views, you can see for miles and miles without having to travel too far.

Below are the primary options for day hiking the Grandview Trail without a permit:

1. Coconino Saddle

Distance: 2.2 miles round trip | Elevation Gain/Loss: 1190 ft | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Style: Out and Back

This trail is a steep descent with great views looking north into the canyon.  Immediately starting the trail, you will see a large rock with a flat platform sticking off the trail. It looks like a great place to take a photo. It is not, avoid this rock. The trail will meander down the switchbacks of the Kaibab limestone and then traverse the Toroweap shale.  As you enter the Coconino sandstone, the rock formations are amazing; imagine giant dinner plates stacked on top of each other at angles. After 1.1 miles you will reach the saddle, which is a great spot to snack in the shade.  When you return back to the top, you will be amazed (or frightened) at the construction of the trail that you just came down, as it seems to be stuccoed to the wall.

2. Horseshoe Mesa

Distance: 6 miles round trip | Elevation Gain/Loss: 2500 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Style: Out and Back

Continue past the Coconino saddle, where you’ll be traversing the Supai formation, stained red by iron. The trail offers great views looking back up at the sandstone above you. It can be particularly hot and long in this section as it seems to go on forever.  Once you reach the mesa, that’s a great place to drop your pack and explore.  You’ll find numerous mining sites and old mining equipment, radioactive warning sites, plenty of agaves and yuccas, and the menacing tarantula hawk flying around.  There is no water on the mesa, so be sure to pack plenty.  When ready return the same way you came down.

Maximize Your Visit to the Grand Canyon on a Hiking Tour

Guided day hike tours and multi-day packages allow visitors the opportunity to make the most of their time in Grand Canyon National Park and to do it hassle-free. Guided tours include gear (backpack, trekking poles, crampons in winter), meals, accommodations on multi-day tours, local transportation, and a professional Grand Canyon hiking guide. Through their knowledge, stories, and personal passion, guides can bring a place to life in a way that’s much more difficult to do on your own. Read more about Grand Canyon Hiking Tours.

3 Grandview Trail Backpacking Trips

The Grandview Trail offers many great backpacking options.  Since most of them are reasonable low mileage, it allows people with time restraints to still explore sleeping under the stars in the canyon.  Also, if time does allow, since the trips may have less miles, it lets you set up a basecamp in a really peaceful spot and embark on day hikes.

1. Horseshoe Mesa (2-3 days)

Get to Horseshoe Mesa the same way as described above.  There is no water on the mesa, but you can hike one mile below the mesa to Page Springs.  This is not an easy option, as the trail is very difficult here.  While camping on the mesa, you can explore Cave of the Domes, hike to the end of the mesa for amazing views of the Colorado River, explore the mining history, and if you have a layover day, you can day hike off the mesa to Cottonwood Creek or Hance Creek.  Horseshoe Mesa is a great backpacking option because it offers great sunrise and sunset views, and is an excellent short backpacking destination.

2. Hance Creek (2-3 days)

Descend down Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa, and once there, you will follow the trail to the east side of the mesa.  After seeing the mining history, drop down the Redwall, which is a steep, steep descend to Page Springs, where you can fill up water.  You will pass by another historic mining site, and the trail will follow the Tonto for awhile.  Eventually, you will reach Hance Creek, where there is shade from cottonwood trees and offers peaceful campsites.  This trip is great because if you set up a basecamp here, you can go on many day hikes to the Tonto Trail and explore Hance Creek.

3. Cottonwood Creek (2-3 days)

When you reach Horseshoe Mesa, you will follow the trail on the west side.  This is an older trail and can be quite challenging, and because of that it is less trafficked and provides more solitude.  Once at Cottonwood Creek, there are great day hikes you can do, as well as tons to explore within the creek.  This area offers a great chance to spot lizards and other wildlife.  Check with rangers before you begin your trip to see if there is water running at Cottonwood.

Join a Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip

Joining a Grand Canyon backpacking tour is a worry-free, adventurous way to experience Grand Canyon National Park. With your gear, meals, local transportation, permits, and fees taken care of for you, you can travel light and focus 100% on enjoying the hiking experience, while the guide company takes care of everything else. Also, by going with local experts you’ll enjoy a greater level of safety and gain a much better understanding of the history, ecology and uniqueness of the region. Read more about a guided Grand Canyon backpacking trips.

When to Hike and Seasonal Considerations

The Grandview Trail is best in the spring and fall. In the winter the trail can be icy and may require the use of hiking crampons . If in doubt, have them with you because you don’t want to turn your hike around early when you hit unexpected ice. Also, the top of this trail has a very exposed section that some people will not want to brave if there’s any ice or snow on the trail. In the summer the temperatures can be extremely hot, so it’s critical to get a very early start. We recommend being on the trail by 6 AM from June through mid September. Also, in the summer it’s important carry extra water and snacks.  Check the weather before starting any hike in Grand Canyon National Park.

Necessary Permits

Day Hike Permits

There are no required permits to do any day hiking in Grand Canyon National Park.

Backpacking Permits

All overnight stays inside the Grand Canyon are required to have overnight camping permits. Grand Canyon’s permit system is a lottery that begins 4 months before the month you’d like to hike on the first of the month. For example, on January 1 submissions are made for all May dates; on February 1 submissions are made for all June dates; on March 1 submissions are made for all July dates…etc. See more information on Grand Canyon’s permit system.

Suggested Packing List

Day Hike Packing List

• 3-6 liters of water (more in summer)
• broken-in hiking boots
• salty, calorie-rich snacks
• lunch
• backpack
• trekking poles
• crampons (in winter)
• wide-brimmed hat
• sunscreen, sunglasses
• non-cotton t-shirt
• rain jacket
• warm non-cotton layer
• 1st-aid kit

Backpacking Packing List

• all items listed for day hikes PLUS
• multi-day backpack
• 3-season tent
• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad
• headlamp
• backpacking stove and fuel
• backpacking meals
• 3 pairs wool socks
• extra t-shirts
• water filter or water treatment tablets
• large dromedary to carry extra water

Please Respect Our National Parks – Leave No Trace

We strongly recommend abiding by all Leave No Trace ethics guidelines and practices so that our national parks and public lands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and for the people and animals who call these places home. Simple things like packing out your trash, obeying national park rules, and respecting the peace and quiet of our national park trails is a great start. If you’re going on a backpacking trip, you can read about more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

The post Grandview Trail appeared first on Wildland Trekking.

The South Kaibab Trail is a stunning Grand Canyon hiking trail that descends an exposed ridge all the way to the Colorado River. It’s one of the best trails to hike for views, adventure, and to gain a tremendous appreciation for the size and grandeur of the Canyon.

Getting to the South Kaibab Trailhead

The South Kaibab Trailhead is located east of the South Rim Village and very near Yaki Point. There is no parking allowed at South Kaibab Trailhead unless you have backpacking permits. The best way to reach the trailhead is to park at the Backcountry Information Center and catch the Hikers Shuttle to the trailhead. Read more about the Hikers Shuttle.

History of the South Kaibab Trail

Up until the construction of the South Kaibab Trail, the primary pathway to gain access to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River was via the Bright Angel Trail, which was privately controlled by businessman, Ralph Cameron. Mr. Cameron charged a fee to everyone who wanted to hike on his trail, which he controlled through mining claims. The National Park Service wanted to a trail that was open to the public and that they could have complete control of.

There were only a handful of moderate descents into the Canyon, where natural faults had created breaks in the cliffs where trails could be built. The Bright Angel Fault line, where the Bright Angel Trail was built, was the most obvious of these. There was also the Hermit Trail, the Grandview Trail, the Tanner Trail, and the Boucher Trail, but those were much farther from Grand Canyon Village, and not as accessible. So the park service decided on the South Kaibab Trail and began construction (using lots of dynamite) in 1924. The trail was completed and dedicated on June 25, 1925.

3 Best Day Hikes on the South Kaibab Trail

South Kaibab offers some amazing options for day hikes! It is one of the best trails for day hikes in the Grand Canyon because of its stunning, panoramic views. It’s also a popular start or finish to the famous rim to rim hike that thousands of people undertake every year.

Below are the primary options for day hiking the South Kaibab Trail:

1. South Kaibab to Skeleton Point

This hike is an out and back day hike with moderate hiking (by Grand Canyon standards!) and exceptional views. Ooh Aah Point is a bit less than a mile down and offers jaw-dropping views for relatively little effort. Cedar Ridge is roughly 1.5 miles down and takes you across the most dramatic sections of the South Kaibab Trail by dizzying drop-offs and phenomenal panoramic views. Skeleton Point is roughly 6 miles round trip and  sits at the top of the Red Wall, where you can see the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon. To get back, simply turn around and hike back out.

2. South Kaibab – Tonto Trail – Bright Angel Trail

This loop hike goes down South Kaibab, across the Tonto Trail and out Bright Angel Trail. It is considered strenuous and should only be undertaken by fit, experienced hikers not during summer months. The South Kaibab-Tonto Trail-Bright Angel Trail loop does not go to the Colorado River, but is a fantastic day hike that has a little bit of everything: huge views, views of Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River, solitude on the Tonto Trail, and shade and water at Havasupai Garden.

3. South Kaibab to the North Rim (“Rim to Rim”)

This hike is of course the most famous hike in the Grand Canyon, and one that tens of thousands of people undertake every year. You can hike North to South, or South to North. Either way, you’ll need to figure out what you’re going to do once you get to the other side, stay in a hotel and hike back, get picked up or book a shuttle back to your starting point on Transcanyon Shuttle.

Maximize Your Visit to the Grand Canyon on a Hiking Tour

Guided day hike tours and multi-day hiking packages allow visitors the opportunity to make the most of their time in Grand Canyon National Park and to do it hassle-free. Guided tours include gear (backpack, trekking poles, crampons in winter), meals, accommodations on multi-day tours, local transportation, and a professional Grand Canyon hiking guide. Through their knowledge, stories, and personal passion, guides can bring a place to life in a way that’s much more difficult to do on your own. Read more about Grand Canyon Hiking Tours.

3 South Kaibab Backpacking Trips

As a central entry point into the Grand Canyon, you can essentially hike anywhere from the South Kaibab Trail. We have detailed 3 of the best and most worthwhile backpacking routes.

1. South Kaibab – Bright Angel Loop Backpacking Trip (2-4 days)

This loop is exactly the same as the South Kaibab-Colorado River-Bright Angel day hike loop, except you can do it as a 2-day, 3-day, or even 4-day, overnight backpacking trip. It is, by Grand Canyon’s standards, a moderate trip but by any other standards, it’s moderate-strenuous. First stop is at Bright Angel Campground, then if you plan on a 3-day or 4-day trip, Havasupai Garden Campground is the second stop.

2. South Kaibab – North Rim “Rim to Rim” Backpacking Trip (3-4 days)

This thru-hike backpacking trip can be done South to North, or North to South. Stops are Bright Angel Campground and Cottonwood Campground. If you’d like to do a 4-day trip, you can do a layover day at either campground. Some people hike Bright Angel Trail as part of their Rim to Rim experience, which is a longer option but with a campground half-way (Havasupai Garden), plus more shade and water. The North Rim is closed early-mid November through May 14, so seasonality is also a factor with this trip.

3. South Kaibab – Bright Angel Creek – Clear Creek (4-5 days)

This out-and-back backpacking trip is a wonderful spring trip as it visits the tallest waterfall in the Canyon, Cheyava Falls, which is over 800 feet high! Descend South Kaibab to Bright Angel Campground, and spend the first night at Bright Angel. Then hike north on the North Kaibab Trail and after approximately 1/2 mile take the Clear Creek Trail heading west (right). It takes you up to the top of the Tapeats Sandstone layer and across the Tonto Plateau on the north side of the Colorado River. After 8 miles you’ll reach Clear Creek. Spend two nights here, one day hiking up canyon to Cheyava Falls. Return to Bright Angel, and then out either South Kaibab or Bright Angel Trail.

Join a Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip

Joining a Grand Canyon backpacking tour is a worry-free, adventurous way to experience the Canyon. With your gear, meals, local transportation, permits, and fees taken care of for you, you can travel light and focus 100% on enjoying the canyon, while the guide company takes care of everything else. Also, by going with local experts you’ll enjoy a greater level of safety and gain a much better understanding of the incredible geology and history you’re hiking through. Read more about a guided Grand Canyon backpacking trip.

When to Hike and Seasonal Considerations

The South Kaibab Trail is fantastic year-round, but is best in the spring and fall. In the winter the trail can be icy and may require the use of hiking crampons (recommended brand). If in doubt, have them with you because you don’t want to turn your hike around early when you hit unexpected ice. In the summer the temperatures can be extremely hot, so it’s critical to get a very early start. We recommend being on the trail by 6 AM from June through mid September. Also, in the summer it’s important carry extra water and snacks.

Necessary Permits

Day Hike Permits

There are no required permits to do any day hiking in Grand Canyon National Park.

Backpacking Permits

All overnight stays inside the Grand Canyon are required to have overnight camping permits. Grand Canyon’s permit system is a lottery that begins 4 months before the month you’d like to hike on the first of the month. For example, on January 1 submissions are made for all May dates; on February 1 submissions are made for all June dates; on March 1 submissions are made for all July dates…etc. For more information on Grand Canyon’s permit system, click here.

Suggested Packing List

Day Hike Packing List

• 3-6 liters of water (more in summer)
• Salty, calorie-rich snacks
• lunch
• backpack
• trekking poles
• crampons (in winter)
• wide-brimmed hat
• sunscreen, sunglasses
• cotton t-shirt (spring-fall)
• non-cotton t-shirt (winter)
• rain jacket
• warm non-cotton layer
• 1st-aid kit

Backpacking Packing List

• all items listed for day hikes PLUS
• multi-day backpack
• 3-season tent
• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad
• backpacking stove and fuel
• backpacking meals
• 3 pairs wool socks
• extra t-shirts

Please Respect Our National Parks – Leave No Trace

We strongly recommend abiding by all Leave No Trace ethics guidelines and practices so that our national parks and public lands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and for the people and animals who call these places home. Simple things like packing out your trash, obeying national park rules, and respecting the peace and quiet of our national park trails is a great start. If you’re going on a backpacking trip, you can read about more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

The post South Kaibab Trail appeared first on Wildland Trekking.