We headed out to Arizona for a 6 day backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon! We got to the South Rim of the canyon and headed out Hermit road to the Hermit's Rest trailhead. We descended down the trail from the rim stopping at both Dripping springs and Santa Maria springs. After that we continued down the trail dropping steeply through the "Rock Slides". Just below that we stopped and made the short climb out to 'Lookout point' before continuing down through the "Cathedral Stairs". The views over the Hermit gorge were really incredible the whole way as we dropped over 3600 feet from the rim all the way down to Hermit creek, where we made our first camp.
Group photo at the Hermits Rest trailhead
Getting dripped on at 'Dripping springs'
Views on the upper Hermit trail
Santa Maria springs
Looking back up at the south rim from the edge of the Hermit gorge
Lookout Point
Getting close to Hermit creek
Arriving at our camp by Hermit creek
Hermit creek
The next day we left our camp setup at Hermit creek and did a day hike down the creek through the Hermit canyon narrows carved through the Tapeats sandstone, eventually getting all the way down into the Vishnu Schist (the oldest formation in the bottom of the Grand canyon) and finally arriving at 'Hermit rapids' on the Colorado river! We hung out by the river for awhile and got to watch some rafters go through the rapids. That is always super exciting! Then we headed back up to our camp. We got back with enough time to do some swimming in the little pool in the creek by our camp and plenty of time just to relax and really take it all in. We had some dinner and I even made up a little popcorn to share with everyone before we headed to bed for the second night.
Starting down Hermit creek
Hiking through the incredible Tapeats sandstone
Arriving at the Colorado river
Hermit Rapids
Climbing on some giant chunks of Tapeats sandstone
Hiking back up through the Tapeats sandstone
The swimming hole by our camp
Back at camp after a fun day
Popcorn
The next morning we packed up our camp and started hiking east along the Tonto trail up onto the Tonto plateau around Cope Butte and then down to Monument creek which is named for a 130 foot pillar made of sandstone and granite that stands as the center piece of the upper canyon. From there we headed down the creek from the monument through another super cool narrow canyon all the way back down to the Colorado river at Granite rapids. We got down there just in time to see some more rafters go through the rapids! Then we found a nice beach to setup our camp. We swam in the river and relaxed on the beach, then later in the evening we were actually joined by another group of rafters who docked their boats just above the rapids and made their camp there on the same beach as us. We hung out with them and got to hear all their cool stories. So many cool people there. They had a full on kitchen with all kinds of food, fresh fruit and vegetables, sodas and beers, and they even baked a chocolate cake(which they were kind enough to share with us)! We had lots of fun talking with the rafters late into the night but eventually had to get to sleep so we were rested for the next day of our adventure.
Hiking along the Tonto trail
Views from the Tonto plateau
Views from the Tonto plateau
Cope Butte
Dropping into Monument creek
Me and the monument
Looking up canyon from the monument
Drying off after a swim in the Colorado river
Relaxing at camp
The rafters have arrived
Overlooking Granite rapids
Me at Granite rapids
The next morning we hung out with the rafters for a bit and took our time packing up camp so we could hang out long enough to see them go through the rapids before we took off. After waving goodbye to our rafter friends as they floated downriver, we hiked back up Monument creek and back on to the Tonto trail where we continued east passed Cedar springs, back up onto the Tonto platform for awhile, and then dropped into Salt creek where we set up our camp and spent the end of the day exploring down the narrow canyon below the creek as far as we could. That night we had a couple mice that were really pestering us while we made our dinner, but we were able to keep them at bay and keep our food safe for the night.
The rafters getting packed up in the morning
Watching the rafters head down river
Hiking back up Monument creek
Views from the Tonto plateau
Overlooking Granite rapids from the plateau
Passing Cedar Springs
Views of the river from the plateau
Arriving at Salt creek
Getting my tent setup at salt creek with the 'Inferno' and the 'Hopi Wall' towering above
Salt creek narrows
Exploring the narrows below Salt creek
Looking off the drop off at the end of the Salt creek narrows
Views from the bottom of the Salt creek narrows
Back at camp making dinner
On day 5 we left Salt creek and continued east on the Tonto trail. Back up onto the plateau around Dana Butte, down through Horn creek, and then back up onto the plateau again going around the 'Battleship', and eventually coming to Bright Angel creek and the Indian Gardens camp. We picked out a camp spot and got our tents setup and then made the hike from there out to Plateau Point, an excellent point on the plateau (hence the name) that had amazing views in every direction including views down to the river in the canyon bottom. We took lots of pictures there and then headed back to camp for our final night in the Grand Canyon.
Passing Horn creek on the Tonto trail
Views from the Tonto plateau
Arriving to the lushness of Indian Gardens
Views from Indian Gardens
Mule corrals at Indian Gardens
The trail to Plateau point
Arriving at Plateau point
Views from Plateau Point
Mom standing on Plateau point
Group photo on Plateau point
Looking down to the Colorado river from Plateau point
Sitting on the edge of Plateau point
And then I slipped and fell off the point never to be heard from again...
Just kidding!!
There I am, safe and sound.
Our camp at Indian Gardens
Deer by our camp
So the next morning we woke up and packed up camp for the last time and began the over 3,000 foot climb up the Bright Angel trail back up to the South rim. I took my time climbing back through all the different geologic layers, the views were just awesome the whole climb. In what seemed like no time at all we were up on the Rim with all the tourists putting and end to our great adventure. We got some photos from the rim and then celebrated our accomplishment with some food and drinks before heading home.
Views from the Bright Angel trail
Getting close to the rim
Reaching the South rim on the Bright Angel trail
Views from the South Rim
Views from the South Rim
Back on the South Rim
Success!!
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gorgeous photos! truly a world wonder..
Thanks! It is quite the world wonder. The Grand Canyon is really amazing, probably the most amazing place I've ever been. Thanks for the comment, It's really good to see you back posting here on Steemit again!
Really beautiful pictures, I'd love to do a trek like that!
Thanks! It was a really fun trek, the Grand Canyon is amazing.
Once, many many years ago, I hitched a ride to San Francisco on a private plane. The pilot/owner asked if I'd ever seen the Grand Canyon. I said no so he corrected this shortfall in my life by detouring through the canyon. I was absolutely blown away by the sights.
I'm too old and decrepit now, but I've often wished I could actually see the Grand Canyon from the ground. Seeing your wonderful pictures and reading your travelogue is the closest I'll actually get.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Trust me, I'm a doctor.
This was an awesome trip!!! Thanks for taking us with you!!!
Wow, Grand Canyon is really something else - I got to give it that. I had only a chance of briefly checking this place out during my quite a small roadtrip within the US of A with my buddies, but I loved what I saw. Unfortunately I'm not from North America, so my options are kind of limited as far as traveling there goes - tickets from Europe are a little bit pricey, but yeah - I know for sure, that I will have to visit this wonderful place once again in my life and spend some proper time exploring it carefully. Great photos, thanks a lot for this post - I will definitely follow you. Cheers!
Amazing post and experience. Thank you so much for sharing beautiful story and inspiring photos with us!
My pleasure Dejan! I'm glad you enjoyed the adventure.
Mehn, how i wish am this Adventure trip with you...
If you would ever like to take a trip in the Grand Canyon I would be happy to be your guide.
i would love to, but am in Africa
Africa! Very cool. I want to go there and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro someday. That would be a dream for me.
Nature is so full of surprises, and Grand Canyon is one of the most awesome ones
I bet it was rather surprising for some of the early pioneers who were just traveling through the woods when all of a sudden they come upon this gigantic canyon in their way. Logistically devastating, yet so beautiful. It's crazy to think about that kinda stuff.
This adventure took way more energy than I'm willing to put out, so I'm glad I got to enjoy it vicariously. Good job on the post. Great job on the photography. I'm glad you guys had a good time. I'm glad I got to watch you do it. I'm glad I got to stay seated for the entire performance. It was unforgettable.
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Oooo! Thats so awesome. I'm honored that you enjoyed my post enough to share it in your top 7!! Followed you both, upvoted and resteemed the post. Thank you so much for your support!
Looks like an awesome trip - look forward to doing this trail someday!
It was a super awesome trip! I highly recommend doing some backpacking in the Grand Canyon. It's an experience you never forget. Hermit trail is a great intermediate trail, so it's a little bit more difficult then the main trails, but also not as touristy.
beautiful trip of advnature in canyon and i am not sure but i think i seen this place while bear gryles visited in man vs wild so isnt it?
I'm not sure if Bear Grylls did an episode in the Grand Canyon, but I wouldn't be surprised. I don't have a TV so I don't usually get to watch his show, but I have seen a few episodes.
Fabulous photos of your grand adventure! Most people only dream of that hike! #sreemitbloggers
Outstanding photos of an outstanding adventure! Wow!
Thanks!
awesome
Really cool adventure! Amazing experience. Thank you)
The grand canyon is on my bucket list.. looks absolutely amazing.. love your adventures
It really should be on everyones bucket list. At least to go to the rim. When you get that first view off the rim something happens in your brain, you get awe struck by the beauty and instantly humbled by its gigantic size. It's a masterpiece of nature. Truly a very special, very magical place. Thanks for all your support Dave, I like your posts too.
Yeah.. I just found out yesterday that I'm fixing to inherit a chunk of cash so I'm thinking I'll need at least a month to see it all... next summer
Hell ya. Do it man!
Whoa, cool adventure! Tempted to explore the Grand Canyon as well :)
It was a really cool adventure! The Grand Canyon is an incredible place to explore.
😎 and those are nice shots as well!
Thanks!
That was a great adventure. Loved seeing the pictures again.
It was awesome. Love you mom!
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Wonder! Wonder! Wonder! Awesome trip. Great job. Nice pictures. Cheers.
Thank you. The Grand Canyon truly is an awesome wonder. The pictures don't really do it justice, but I'm very glad that you enjoyed them. Cheers!
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Thanks! That is so cool.
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STOPFantastic!!! You may look into my travel serie named ''If We Look From the Viewpoint of Art History''. @atakanoz
Very nice trip with i think! 🙌 I hope you enjoy it @derekrichardson!
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