Grand Canyon Backpacking

South Rim: Grandview Itinerary:

• Day 1 New Hance Trailhead to Hance Rapids Camp

  Meet your guides and the other group members inside Grand Canyon National Park at South Rim Market Plaza in front of the General Store at 8am sharp. There will be a brief orientation, gear distribution, and pack check before we caravan to the New Hance trailhead. New Hance Trail is named for a very colorful character and legendary storyteller, John Hance. Be mentally prepared for an adventurous and long day of hiking. The New Hance trail descends through Red Canyon. The trail is not maintained, and we will encounter several sections of scrambling and short down climbs during our all-day hike to the river and our amazing campsite alongside Hance Rapids. From the rim, Hance Trail passes to the east of Coronado Butte towards Red Canyon Overlook at the top of the Redwall limestone. From here, we are rewarded with one of the best, close-up views of the ancient Grand Canyon Supergroup layers. The Supergroup represents a billion years of Earth history that has been eroded away in most parts of the canyon. Here along Hance Trail below the Red Wall, however, the deep reds and rich oranges of the Hakatai Shale are on brilliant display. During the last few miles of our hike today, we will travel along a dry creek bed over gravel and around enormous boulders. After a delicious meal prepared by your guides, we'll exchange stories under a canopy of stars and turn in for the night with the sound of the rapids lulling us to sleep.
  
  Backpacking: 8.2 miles Elevation Start: 7,020 ft Elevation End: 2,650 ft.

• Day 2 Day Hike from Hance Rapids Camp and Back

  Today we will have the opportunity to don lighter packs as we leave our established campsite and gear behind for a day of exploring. Today, we will navigate the area up-river along a "dotted-line" trail called the Escalante Route to Seventy-five Mile Creek which cuts a a narrow slot canyon and access to the river at Nevills Rapids where we will have lunch. Extraordinary terrain with dramatic river views are the highlights of our hike today, and our trail will lead us along the Colorado with several brief climbs away from and then back down towards the river. Another great meal at our Hance Rapids camp will end our day, as we turn in early to prepare for our long hike on Saturday.
  
  Backpacking: 6.0 miles Elevation Start: 2,650 ft Elevation End: 2,650 ft.

• Day 3 Hance Rapids Camp to Cottonwood Creek Camp

  From Hance Rapids, we ascend a tall sand dune which marks the beginning of the famous Tonto Trail. The Tonto is the main east/west trail and the longest trail in the canyon continuing for over 90 miles. The trail ascends along the contours of the Supergroup with several overlooks providing amazing views both down and up river. The Tonto Trail continues to rise until we reach the mid-canyon plateau better known as the Tonto Platform. We traverse the drainages of Mineral and Hance Creeks, making a short detour to a favorite lookout above Sockdolager Rapids, as we approach the impressive Redwall cliffs of Horseshoe Mesa. Continuing on the Tonto Trail around the north side of the Mesa, we arrive at Cottonwood Creek, our home for the night. The shifting colors of dusk and the croak of tree frogs will be our backdrop for dinner as the stars begin to appear for one last night of star gazing.
  
  Hance Rapids to Cottonwood Creek: 10.9 Elevation Start: 2,650 ft Elevation End: 3,900 ft.

• Day 4 Cotton Wood Creek Camp to Grandview Point/Canyon Rim

  Today, we hike a steep 4.5 mile ascent to the canyon rim, climbing 3,700 feet to exit at Grandview Point. We'll linger today to absorb the now-familiar grandeur of the canyon and to explore the remnants of the Last Chance copper mine. We take Grandview Trail from Horseshoe Mesa, and a 1,400 feet climb brings us to a perfect lunch stop at the Coconino Saddle with views dropping away on both sides of the trail. Another 900 vertical feet earns us the top of Grandview Point to end our loop hike. We'll say our goodbyes from there. See detailed travel information below to plan your trip home.
  
  Backpacking: 4.5 miles Elevation Start: 3,900 ft Elevation End: 7,400 ft.

South Rim: Hermit's Rest Itinerary:

• Day 1 Hermits Rest Trailhead to Hermit Rapids

  Your trip begins today in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Meet your guides and the other group members at South Rim General Store, inside Grand Canyon National Park by 8:00a.m. There will be a trip orientation, gear distribution, and pack checks before we caravan to the trailhead at Hermits Rest. This historic trail descends to the Colorado River on a trail originally constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a state of the art rim-to-river trail leading to a luxury campsite near Hermit Creek. Gone are the tramway from the rim, the automobile for transportation within the campground, and the Fred Harvey chef. Time and erosion have taken their due toll on the trail although the grandeur of this area remains. We'll stop at Santa Maria Springs and several breathtaking lookouts before descending Cathedral Stairs to reach Hermit Creek. After a dip in the swimming hole there, we have a final push of 1.4 miles along the creek to reach our campsite on a sandy bluff overlooking the Colorado River at Hermit Rapids. A delicious meal with stunning views of the canyon and starry night are our rewards today for the long journey. Tonight, our tired bodies will be lulled to sleep by the sound of the passing river. Dinner included.
  
  Backpacking: 9.5 miles. Elevation Start: 6,650 ft. Elevation End: 2,300 ft.

• Day 2 Hermit Rapids to Monument Creek

  After a hearty breakfast, we head back up the creek to Hermits Camp where we pick up the Tonto Trail and head east to our 2nd night's camp at Monument Creek which gets its name from a 130-foot pillar of Tapeats Sandstone and Zoroaster Granite that have managed to stand vertical in resistance to the creek as it carved away the canyon around it. From camp, we can explore a beautiful set of narrows directly below the monument or hike an additional 1.6 miles (about 45 minutes) to the river at Granite Rapids. Breakfast and dinner provided.
  
  Backpacking: 5 miles. Elevation Start: 2,300 ft. Tonto Trail Elevation: 3,210 ft. Elevation End: 2,995 ft.

• Day 3 Monument Creek to Hermit Creek

  Today, we begin the first portion of our hike back towards the rim. We will leave Monument Creek and head back west along the Tonto Trail retracing our route to our camp at Hermit Creek. Our hiking distance today with packs is very short which will provide us the opportunity to explore the upper reaches of Hermit Creek and its waterfalls and opportunities to cool off in the water. Today's elevation changes also are more slight which will allow us the opportunity to soak up the sublime scenery. Another opportunity is a day hike west along the Tonto Trail to Travertine Canyon. The hike offers expansive views of the Colorado from atop the Tapeats sandstone layer of the canyon that forms the Tonto Platform, 1,200 feet above the Colorado River. The canyon is a continual kaleidoscope with new colors arising as the traverse of the sun brings different combinations of light, cloud, and shadow. The shifting colors of dusk will be our backdrop for dinner as the constellations again begin to appear above us. Breakfast and dinner provided.
  
  Backpacking: 3.5 miles. Elevation Start: 2,995 ft. Elevation End: 2,900 ft.

• Day 4 Ascent to Canyon Rim

  We'll rise early for the hike everyone has been anticipating since day 1. We depart Hermit Creek ahead of the sun to make use of the shade as long as possible during our upward journey out of the canyon. We climb 3,750 vertical feet on the Hermit Trail with a brief side trip out to Lookout Point. After enjoying lunch at Santa Maria Springs(5,000 ft), another 1,600 feet push will return us to the Hermits Rest trailhead. Congratulations are in order for our completion of a quintessential, American hiking adventure. We'll begin to say our goodbyes from there taking with us lifelong memories to share about our experience on foot in the Grand Canyon. To plan your trip home, see the detailed travel information below. Breakfast included.
  
  Backpacking: 8 miles. Elevation Start: 2,900 ft. Elevation End: 6,650 ft.

North Rim Itinerary:

• Day 1 Bill Hall to Esplanade

  Rise early and be sure to eat breakfast before meeting with your group at the Kaibab Lodge at 8am. There will be an orientation and backpack check before we caravan/carpool to the trailhead. Have plenty of gasoline for the 32 mile drive along forest service (gravel) roads that pass beautiful spans of Aspen trees nestled among tall evergreens. With a few final adjustments we leave the trailhead, named in honor of park ranger Bill Hall, to hike about 1/2 mile over a few small hills along the rim before dropping into the canyon towards Monument Point. Fossils can be found in the Kaibab Limestone as the trail then contours northwest to the descent through the Coconino layer west of Monument Point. The next portion of the hike is affectionately known as the "50 switchbacks." There are a few minor scrambles along this steep section until we reach the junction with the Thunder River Trail 2.5 miles from our starting point. The long, flat traverse across the Esplanade will lead us to uniquely beautiful rock formations that provide shade and shelter, serving as the location of our first night's camp.
  
  Backpacking approx. 3 miles; 2100 ft elevation loss.

• Day 2 Surprise Valley to 135 Mile Rapids

  After breakfast, we'll continue along the esplanade another 3 miles to a sweeping view of Surprise Valley. We drop through a break in the Redwall and make a steep descent for 1/2 mile to the rolling hills into Surprise Valley. The stunning Tapeats Amphitheater will loom into view as we find a place to camp on the eastern edge of the valley near the descent to Thunder River Falls. Here we find one of the most amazing sights in the canyon. A river gushes from Thunder Cave at the base of the Redwall cliff. Thunder River is one of the steepest and shortest rivers in the world, a thrilling site among its desert surroundings. After exploring the falls area, we continue to the confluence of Thunder River and Tapeats Creek, and then continue along Tapeats Creek for 3 miles, with several stream crossings, to the Colorado River. This is a great spot for lunch and for cooling off with a dip in the Colorado. The last mile of today's route rises over a granite outcropping that cuts across our beach trail. After crossing Bonita Creek drainage, we make camp near 135 Mile Rapids on the beaches overlooking the river.
  
  Backpacking 7.7 miles; 3300 ft elevation loss.

• Day 3 Cogswell Butte to Deer Creek Falls

  Another hearty breakfast will prepare us for the remaining 2.3 mile hike to Deer Creek. The trail rises above the river, and the gains in elevation provide unbelievable views of the canyon and river below. The elevation continues to increase as we hike away from the river and towards the Cogswell Butte saddle. Once over the saddle, we descend to Deer Creek with another opportunity to cool off in the water. After lunch we'll safely store our food and packs and explore what some consider the most beautiful spot in the entire canyon, Deer Creek Narrows and the spectacular 90' Deer Creek Falls. Our last night of camping will be spent on the western edge of Surprise Valley enjoying another tasty meal cooked up by your guides.
  
  Backpacking 5 miles; 1600 ft elevation gain.

• Day 4 Ascent to Canyon Rim

  Today, we rise early to get a head start on the rigorous ascent out of the canyon back to the trailhead. We continue to follow the Deer Creek Trail to a strenuous climb rising through the Redwall to arrive back on the Esplanade. A nice break for lunch prepares us for launching up the 50 switchbacks through the Coconino. There is still more climbing to do as we near the end of our trip, each step bringing us upwards through the Toroweap and Kaibab layers and back to our vehicles at the trailhead.
  
  Backpacking: 8 miles; 3800 ft elevation gain.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. This trip is operated rain or shine.

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Professional instruction and guiding; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; 2-person tents; group cooking gear; group first aid kit, water filter; campsite and backcountry permit fees.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees ($25 per private vehicle or present your National Parks pass); insurance of any kind; 3 lunches; snacks and energy food; energy drinks; alcoholic beverages (please do not bring); soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

SOUTH RIM
Major: Phoenix Sky Harbor, Phoenix, 230 miles, 4 hours
Smaller: Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, AZ, 80 miles, 1.5 hours

NORTH RIM
Major: Las Vegas International Airport, 200 miles, 3.5 hours

This trip is rated Strenuous [5].  Participants will be carrying their own backpacks with weights of 30-45 lbs over steep and rocky terrain with constant and dramatic elevation gain and/or loss exceeding 3,700 feet per day on most days of this trip.  Day hiking with 30-45 lbs in the pack you intend to hike with on the trip and making sure your hiking boots are broken in before your trip is key.  This is not a beginning backpacking trip.  Previous experience is highly recommended and a physician’s release is required prior to participating in this course.

Bring your own variety of quick foods to be eaten as lunch and grazed on constantly throughout the day each day. Energy bars, trail mix, bagels, salami, and salty snacks are all good choices. Staying adequately hydrated requires a mix of water and electrolyte replacement. You will need to be able to carry a minimum of 4 liters of water.

Daytime temperatures usually range between 60^o - 90^o F but can sometime climb even higher.  Evening temperatures drop into the 40s - 50s or even lower.  While rain in general is rare, there is always the possibility of rain, so adequate raingear is important, even in this arid landscape. The Grand Canyon is a very unique environment, and it is important to note that the temperature on the rim of the Grand Canyon is significantly colder than at the bottom of the canyon, due to a difference in elevation of over 4,000 vertical feet.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Daytime temperatures usually range between 60° - 90° F but can sometimes climb even higher. Evening temperatures drop into the 40s - 50s or even lower.  While rain in general is rare, there is always the possibility of precipitation, so adequate raingear is important to have along.

Gear Checklist