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| Hermit to Bright Angel, AZ | |
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| | Hermit to Bright Angel, AZ | | | |
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Hermit to Bright Angel, AZ
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| Backpack | 32.93 Miles |
6,372 AEG |
| | Backpack | 32.93 Miles | 1 Day 20 Hrs 57 Mns | | |
| 6,372 ft AEG | | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| Partners |
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none
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| no partners | | The 1st of 3 Grand Canyon backpacking trips for 2023.
Day 1
We began the drive to the BIC parking lot quite late in the day due to an afternoon remote work meeting leading to a mile long line at the main gate. In the parking lot, I debated on whether or not to bring my NPS Stamp Passport book since I did not know if there would be an updated stamp at Havasupai Gardens from Indian Gardens due to the recent vote in November 2022. The shuttle ride to Hermit's rest grew my excitement, but also my skepticism of reaching Monument Creek by sunset. I stopped into Hermit's Rest to get their stamp and oddly it was blue and not green(???). We started down the canyon at 3 PM with 8 miles ahead of us, but soon realized that we would not make it anywhere near camp before sunset due to our late start and my hiking partner's slow pace. We enjoyed a relaxing break at the Santa Maria spring shelter and continued by 5:30 PM. We noticed lots of prickly pear cacti with pink blossoms. I carried my partners pack to aid in them navigating the various rock slides disrupting the trail. We made it atop Cathedral Stairs around 9 PM under the starlight. We observed the prominent landmark of the Monument by the light of our headlamps around 1 AM. We quickly ate our meals, setup camp, and went to bed to prepare for the Tonto Trail and the traverse to Havasupai Gardens.
Day 2
The canyon began to fill with daylight and the mighty monument overlooking the creek and camping area. We filtered water from the creek and begin up the climb to Tonto around 8 AM. We made it to Salt Creek around 11:30 AM and found a welcoming shade spot under a large boulder next to the seeping creek. We continued down Tonto, observing lots of cacti blossoms and a thunderstorm system approaching from the distance. We made it to the base of Dana Butte when a quick rain shower occurred and the rumble of thunder raced across the canyon nearby. Right after sunset, we crossed onto Bright Angel Trail and quickly scurried up to the camping area to find an unoccupied campsite. We ate dinner and setup camp in the dark. Around 1 AM, we were abruptly awoken by the droning sound of a helicopter landing at the nearby helipad, leading to my partner realizing that their freestanding tent collapsed.
Day 3
The time has come to wonder over to the day use area and finally check if the park service updated the stamp Luckily they did and I stamped my passport! We passed the helipad around 6 AM where we learned an ill hiker was rescued a few hours earlier. This was my 3rd time ascending Bright Angel Trail, but this time I carried my partners pack to reduce their burden. We made it to the trailhead before noon. I would return again in July and November. |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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