A famous hike in the Grand Canyon with long vistas, sandy beaches, and solitude beside the Colorado River. An opportunity to take historical looks back into the development of the Canyon. Traversing the Tonto Plateau offers incredible views into the bowels of the Inner Gorge and many side canyons to check out.

Type of Trip:  Backpacking/Camping
Dates:  Year Round
Number of Days: 3 – 4 Days
Total Miles:  30 (4 Days)
Elevation Gain Loss: 4200ft
Difficultly: Strenuous 
Orientation Time:  4pm the day before
Orientation Location:  Flagstaff – at our store (1051 S. Milton Ave - Suite F)
Trip Departure: 6am
Trip Return:  4pm

(B) = Breakfast   (L) = Lunch   (D) = Dinner

Cost:
3 Day - $755 per person
4 Day - $975 per person

** This trip can be customized around different starting point and times**

THE MIGHTY COLORADO RIVER and SOLITUDE!! "One of the most scenic hikes in the Southwest." - Backpacker Magazine. Constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1912, the Hermit Trail is one of the more adventuresome trails in the park. The hike will take us through the pinion - juniper woodlands of the rim down past Santa Maria Spring, located in the Hermit Basin (a well shaded rest spot). From here we continue our hike down to Hermit Creek and Hermit Rapids, where we will setup camp. This campsite offers a crystal clear creek to cool off in, as well as plenty of hidden treasures waiting to be explored. Some highlights include the Redwall Narrows, Colorado River, Granite Rapids, Monument Creek, and ruins from the late 1800’s

Itinerary - The final itinerary may change due to weather or any unforeseen circumstance(s).Loop Hike – Bright Angel to Hermit

Day 1:
Depart Flagstaff between 5 and 6:00 am for a drive to the Hermit Trailhead on the South Rim. Your hike will take you 8.0 miles down to a small and quaint campsite nestled in the Tapeats Sandstone along Hermit Creek. Once in camp you will begin to enjoy the peace and quiet, while your guide sets everything up. If there is sunlight and energy left in your legs, one can explore the Redwall Narrows. (L) (D)

Day 2:
After breakfast we will start a full day of exploration!! The question remains; should we hike the drainage to Hermit Rapids or across the Tonto to Monument Creek and Granite Rapids or all of it. No matter what you choose it will be a fun-filled day of exploring the Colorado River and splashing around in creeks in the bottom of the Grand Canyon! (B) (L) (D)

Day 3:
Following breakfast and packing up camp early, we will catch first light in the Cathedral Stairs. This section of trail offers a great view of the Colorado, Cope Butte, Tower of Set and Hermit Drainage. As you work your way towards the rim through the Kaibab Limestone keep an eye out for fossils dating back 250 million years ago. 8 miles total to the rim. (B) (L) 


4-day itineraries offer a lot of exploring opportunities in the itinerary. This allows one to see Hermit and Granite Rapids…some of the biggest on the Colorado. Lots to see and do out on the Tonto Plateau.