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Trip Leader:
Email the leader to confirm. 4 hikers only. A rated hike. Please confirm your participation ASAP. As we approach the trip date, we will coordinate carpooling. Make sure to bring all necessary equipment and food for a 4 day backpacking trip in remote areas of the Grand Canyon. All water must be filtered. Bring a water filtration system. Also suggest bringing a rat bag to keep varmints from stealing your food. Micro spikes may also be needed. Should you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, feel free to email me. |
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I am excited to inform you about another great backpacking trip in Grand Canyon National Park. Total trip length is 4 days. Day 1, we will be hiking down the Bright Angel trail which is a main corridor trail and camp the first night at Havasupai Gardens Campground, a lush oasis with flowing water and shade. Havasupai Gardens is 4.8 miles down the Bright Angel trail at an elevation of 3,760 ft. Day 2, we will hike west on the Tonto Trail to Monument Creek Campground. Day 3, we will continue west on the Tonto Trail to Hermit Creek Campground. We should reach Hermit Creek in time to set up camp and then hike down to Hermit Rapids on the Colorado River. Then on Day 4 we hike up to trailhead at Hermit's Rest on the rim. Come prepared to have a great time. The Grand Canyon is beautiful in winter. There will be restroom facilities at each campground/campsite. Potable water will be available at Havasupai Gardens campground. Water will be available at Monument Campground and Hermit Creek campground, but will need to be filtered. Bring your water filter. This trip will be during the winter time, so be prepared for cold weather. The upper part of the Bright Angel and Hermit trail may have ice and snow. Microspikes will be required. Morning temperature at the rim will be in the 20s or colder. Campground low temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s. High temperatures should be in the 50s to low 60s. The cool weather will be perfect for hiking. You will be responsible for bringing appropriate backpacking gear for winter (backpack, hiking poles, boots & microspikes, tent & ground cloth, warm sleeping bag & pad, warm clothes, etc.). You will need to bring your own food for the entire trip. This is an A rated backpack trip. Hikers must have the required experience and ability to do this backpack trip, and must have the trip leader approval to sign up for the trip. Please see the trip description below. Note the following trail ratings key. These ratings will be used in the trip description. Trail Ratings: E - Easy (minimal grades) M - Moderate (medium grades, rough surfaces) D - Difficult (steep, rocky with sustained grades) Day 1, Thursday February 19: Drive to the Bright Angel Trailhead where we will meet at 8:30am. We will need to set up a shuttle and leave one vehicle at the Hermit Trailhead. The bus service out to Hermit's Rest does not operate in winter until March 1. Carpooling options can be discussed at a later time. This day we will hike down the Bright Angel Trail to Havasupai Gardens Campground. This is a steep downhill hike of 4.8 miles. The upper part of the trail is rated D (very steep in places). Day 2, Friday February 20: Pack up camp and hike west on the Tonto Trail to Monument Creek Campground. We should have beautiful views of the Tonto Platform and the Granite Gorge/Colorado River. The hiking miles will be 10.7 with trail ratings of mostly E with a little bit of M. Day 3, Saturday February 21: After breakfast and packing our gear, we set out towards our next campsite at Hermit Creek. The distance to Hermit Creek is only 3.5 miles. (E and M ratings). This should allow us enough time to set up camp, eat lunch and day hike down to Hermit Rapids on the Colorado River. Round trip to Hermit Rapids is 3 miles. Hermit Rapids contains some of the most towering waves in the entire canyon. Day 4, Sunday February 22: Pack up and hike out the Hermit Trail to the rim. The total milage will be 8.2 miles with an elevation gain of 3,700 ft. This trail is all M and D ratings (very steep in places). The upper part of the trail may have new ice and snow, requiring microspikes. The plan will be to drive back to the valley after reaching our vehicles. The upper parts of the Bright Angel and Hermit trail could have snow and ice. Be prepared to bring micro spikes. Cost per person (permit): $45 plus park entrance fee for a second vehicle. The trip leader has a NPS pass for one vehicle. |
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| Updated on January 17, 2026 |