Grand Canyon Trip Report – Hermit Rest Trail  (April 20 - 22, 1990) by Larry Walker

Attendees: Deb Bowser, Barry Delue, Faith Delue, Marty Pietz, Larry Walker

Day 1, April 20, 1990: We left about 10:30 from Hermits Rest trailhead. The trail is very steep with a lot of switchbacks. After about 1.5 miles, the trail levels off to a moderate decline offering spectacular views of the Hermit Creek Canyon, Tower of Ra, Colorado River, Tonto Plateau, and many other ridges, canyons, peaks, and outcroppings. Thunder showers plagued us periodically all the way down the trail. At the 1.5 mile mark is Dripping Spring (dry). At ~ 2.3 mile, we came to Santa Maria Spring (perennial). At Santa Maria Spring, we stopped for lunch, water, and their lu (sp?) with a view (2, 2 seaters (holers)). From there we proceeded up and down slight grades, in and out washes and across many rock slides. At the 4.9 mile mark we came to the Cathedral Stairs, a sharp descent. From Santa Maria Spring to the Cathedral Stairs, the views are incredible. The Colorado can be seen from some spots. Also, Hermits Creek, the trail (later), and many beautiful formations are seen here. Once down the Cathedral Stairs, which are quite steep, a steep downhill grade proceeds for approximately 2 miles down to the Tonto Plateau. Approximately 1 mile from here, over slight ridges and gullies, is the Ranger Station at Hermits Camp: an old tourist camp. Approximately 0.3 miles from here, which is also the trail split to go down to the Colorado (a relatively easy 2 mile round trip), is the actual Hermits Creek Camp. This is a sight specific camp (D/S), i.e., you have to sleep in designated campsites. The creek here was nice to swim in and not too horrible to get "pilled" water from. This was a grueling trip down to the creek. It was ~ 7.2 miles down steep hills. We were exhausted upon arrival at the creek and ate and "crashed" about 20:30. We arrived at the creek at ~ 17:30, so it took approximately 7 hours to get there. We ate spaghetti and sausage, which we had too much and over ate till we were stuffed. Then we filled up on water for day 2.

Day 2, April 21, 1990: Sarah's 2nd birthday. We hiked down to the Colorado today. It was an easy 45 minute (full pack) hike down a beautiful canyon trail. This creek is very nice - better (prettier) than Clear Creek I think. We left around 09:15 and arrived at around 10:00. Hermits Rapids and the river were spectacular. We immediately ran to the river to watch the rapids and soak our feet. We hiked up (east) the side of the Colorado to ~ 150 yards within 94 Mile Creek. This was an excellent beach combing, rock climbing hike. We saw 4 bologna barges go over the rapids while we were there. We then went back up the creek for a swim - the river was far too cold! After this, we came back for supper: spam / rice / veggie delight (had way too much). Afterwards, we retired and watched the bat show and shooting stars until about 20:00. We camped on the beach next to the Colorado.

Day 3, April 22, 1990: We arose at ~ 05:30 so we could be at the rim by around 12:00. We departed at 07:10. The entire day was spent hiking. The first mile was cake, from the river. The second mile was also easy up to the Tonto Trail branch. From here we had a steady climb, strenuous, up to the Cathedral Stairs. We were sure that once we mounted the stairs, all the hard work was done - wrong. The stairs were cake compared to that steady climb we just had. From here (Cathedral Stairs) to the Santa Maria Spring we stopped for lunch and a Mormon trailside service - unique. From here to Dripping Spring was again fairly strenuous. But from Dripping Spring the top, what a haul!! I didn't think we were ever going to be out. This 1.5 mile trek was all steep uphill terrain. The problem was that at every switchback the trail kept going up and up with no end in sight. After leap-frogging the same parties several times, we finally got out. We jogged out into the parking lot and did some calisthenics for the crowds - what a laugh. We got out at about 13:30 so the whole trip took about 6 hours 20 minutes - better time than going in. We had a blast. This is a strenuous hike. Go any time you can and are able.