HikeArizona.COM

Pondering a long day hike in late October and want to check out the Hermit Trail area. The NPS only has the shuttle bus schedule posted until September.

Anyone know what is the earliest time I can access the Hermit Trail in October and when does the last shuttle leave the area? Trying to figure out the logistics of what I can fit in around the shuttle schedule.

@SpiderLegs Until this year the Hermit shuttle started at 4am during the summer season, and 5am in spring and fall (which is when your planned trip would occur). But the 2024 schedule begins at 8am from March 1 to November 30.

The original posting has been updated (possibly because it was a historical "checklist" item for the web team to update the hours when they changed for the longer summer season?) but when the spring hours were posted earlier this year, it listed these hours as relevant for the full year of shuttle ops.
See: https://web.archive.org/web/20240404084 ... -route.htm

@SpiderLegs
If you're willing to add a mile or two and have a HCV, I'd suggest starting from Waldron TH. No shuttle bus required, less crowded, and the trail is in great shape.

Or make it an overnight and get the code to drive to Hermit TH ...

@SpiderLegs Call the Backcountry Ranger office and see if they will give you the gate code for a day hike. They might. For years and years it was the same code, and we used to just go out there whenever we wanted. I don't know the code anymore. Also ask them what date do they start leaving the gate open for winter.

@SpiderLegs
I had the same problem in March wanting to do the Boucher Loop. The shuttle to Hermits is not hiker friendly at all. First shuttle is 8am with a 45 minute trip to Hermits Rest. I contacted the NPS about my issue because there used to be a 5:30 am shuttle to Hermits which I always used to start early.
They told me the reason why there wasn't an early shuttle was they couldn't fill the early morning shuttle position. They gave me three options. One- grab the first shuttle at 8am. Two- apply for an overnight permit and I could get a gate code and drive directly to Hermits. Three- Start at the Waldron trail.
I ended up choosing the third option. Which turned out to be really great. If you decide starting at Waldron keep in mind you need a high clearance vehicle to get to the trail head. If you want more info, PM me and I can give you more details because it's tricky to get to the trailhead.

@azbackpackr
I called and they said absolutely no. The only way I could have the gate code was to obtain a backcountry permit. I felt it unfair for me to do so and kill the dreams of backbackers, so I started my hike (Boucher loop)via Waldron trail which turned out to be a very long day, 25 miles but we'll worth it. This was March 2024.

@mntncrvr
Well that's good to know. Thanks for getting back to me about that. I'm sure it'll be useful information for others as well.