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.  Make this a loop hike and never see the same thing twice.  Traversing the Tonto Plateau offers incredible views into the bowels of the Inner Gorge and many side canyons to check out.   World Class Vistas!    

Type of Trip:  Backpacking/Camping
Dates:  Year Round
Number of Days: 3 – 6 Days
Total Miles:  30 (4 Days)
Elevation Gain Loss: 4200ft
Difficultly:  Moderate to 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 - $755per person
4 Day - $955 per person
5 Day - $1225 per person
6 Day - $1399 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: Loop Hike - Bright Angel to Hermit
Depart Flagstaff at 6:00 am for a drive to the Bright Angel Trailhead on the South Rim.  We will hike 4.5 miles down to Indian Garden Campground (sometimes Horn Creek) where we will stay for the first night.  After dinner you can enjoy a 3-mile roundtrip hike out to one of the best places in the world to see a sunset, Plateau Point. From here the Colorado River is 1400ft directly below.   (L) (D)

Day 2:
After breakfast we will hike 7.0 miles over to Salt Creek, stopping to explore Horn Creek/Lost Orphan Mine along the way.  Have your camera handy because this is where the canyon begins to unfold in front of your eyes and if that isn’t enough?  There is great side hiking in the Salt Creek Narrows and it’s not to far from the cave that houses one of few California Condors born in the wild.  (B) (L) (D) 

Day 3:
Today’s stretch of trail is considered some of the finest hiking on the Tonto.  This segment offers some unbelievable views of the Colorado River, Isis Temple, the Buddha and Tower of Ra.  The morning will be spent hiking through the Inferno and around the Alligator. The afternoon brings you to Monument Creek.  After playing in the Granite Narrows, we are off to our last camp, Hermit Creek.  A total of 10 miles this day. (B) (L) (D) 

Day 4:
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)
 

5 and 6-day itineraries offer a lot of flexibility in the itinerary. This allows one to see Hermit and Granite Rapids…some of the biggest on the Colorado.  Lots to see and check out on the Tonto.