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| Hiking | 6.30 Miles |
1,900 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.30 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 1.58 mph |
| 1,900 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Hermit's Rest to Dripping Springs was the first and easiest hike on my list of hikes I really want to do.
I got to the bus stop at about 4:40, thinking the bus left at 4:45 - but in fact it didn't leave until 5:05 ... it was still too dark to see into the Canyon, so I just sat and waited with about 10 others ... was very glad that it wasn't too chilly, as I'd forgotten my jacket.
Saw my morning elk down by the railroad tracks just before the bus arrived.
Everyone on the bus except me was heading out to closer viewpoints for the sunrise photo op, so I was the only one on the bus for the last 20 mins or so ... talked with the bus driver, and though he couldn't tell me what rapids I was looking at from one viewpoint, he was a wealth of knowledge about the history and things to see along the East Rim ... will check out Lippan Point on his recommendation.
Arrived at Hermit's Rest just before 6am, temp. 60 degrees, nobody else around. 
I really liked this trail! The geography is varied and interesting, the views are pretty spectacular, and the trail itself is fun ... way better than the B.A. There are sections of the trail that are built with rocks that one of my books calls "riprapped ... both easy to walk and visually interesting" - which I enjoyed very much.
I am looking forward to doing the whole Hermit Trail down to the river and camping when it cools off down there.
Arriving at Dripping Springs, I was relieved to drop the pack, take off my boots, and fuel up. It took me two hours to reach the springs and I spent another hour there ... still without seeing another soul. Enjoyed watching some birds at the springs, treated some water, then filled the bottle again with untreated water to keep myself cool on the way out.
I do believe that the springs are misnamed - it was more of a steady trickle than a drip - filled my 750ml bottle in under two minutes.
Temp at the springs at 8am was 70 degrees.
Started back up the trail under a nice cover of clouds, which would last at least half way up.
Finally met a couple heading towards the springs, then another ... if not for the group of around 15 people - scouts, I guess - my total people met on the trail would have been 12.
Made it back to the TH in 3.5 hours from the springs, so from my first two hikes below the rim I guess that it takes me a little less than twice as long to hike up as down.
The bus back to the village was jam-packed, with people standing in the aisle.
Had a great time overall! |
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