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Four days in the South Rim aren’t enough for you? Explore the rims and valleys of the iconic Hermit Trail and make your way down Monument Creek to the notorious Granite Rapid. As you navigate through the 1.6 billion-year-old schist narrows and (hopefully) meet a local bighorn sheep, you’ll marvel at the thundering power of the Colorado River. Now that you have made your way to the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River and Vishnu Basement Rocks, ascend the canyon walls via the historic Hermit Trail!
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Start your adventure with a 4.9-mile downhill hike to Indian Garden, a Havasupai spring site. Relax in the shade of the Cottonwood trees, dip your feet in Garden Creek’s ice-cold water, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Afterwards, reach a beautiful creekside camp where you’ll experience the total solitude of the Grand Canyon, as only one group is allowed there per night.
Hiking distance: 6.9 miles (11 km)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Elevation gain/loss: -3,060 ft (932 m)
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Get an early start and trek westward along the Tonto Plateau to Monument Creek. It’s a long trail, but relatively well-groomed and flat. You’ll encounter two massive drainages, Salt and Horn Creek, with awesome views of the Canyon, the inner gorge, and the Colorado River. Spend the night at Monument Creek, huddled in a cozy campsite beneath Redwall limestone cliffs.
Hiking distance: 8.9 miles (14.3 km)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Elevation gain/loss: +800 ft (243 m)
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After a relaxing morning, break camp and hike down Monument Creek to the Colorado River and Granite Rapids. Traverse schist narrows and (possibly) meet the local bighorn sheep before accessing the Granite Rapids. Marvel at the thundering power of the Colorado River before setting up camp on the beach and enjoying a sunset dinner with views of the rapids.
Hiking distance: 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Elevation gain/loss: -1000 ft (304 m)
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Get up early, eat, pack up, and set out for the charming desert oasis of Hermit Creek. If you’ve got the time and energy, set up camp and embark on a day hike to Hermit Rapid, an awesome whitewater section of the Colorado River. After the hike, return to camp to enjoy a final backcountry dinner and celebrate your last sunset in the Canyon.
Hiking distance: 4-8 miles (6.4 – 12.8 km)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Elevation gain/loss: 1,200-2,200 ft (365-670 m)
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Trek to the junction of the Tonto and Hermit trails, before ascending out the Canyon along the Hermit Trail. Switchback through the immense Redwall and contour some shelves above Hermit Creek. Enjoy the increasingly impressive views before reaching some beautifully constructed and hand-fitted rock slabs. A shuttle out the South Rim marks the end of your adventure.
Hiking distance: 8 miles (12.8 km)
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Elevation gain/loss: +3,400 ft (1,040 m)
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57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Grand Canyon, refer to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s requirements for air travel to the US and Grand Canyon National Park public health update.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
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What you get on this adventure:
- An experienced, certified hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- Two, four or five days of hiking depending on your chosen itinerary
- Transportation from your accommodation to the trailhead and back
- Campsite accommodations
- All meals, from breakfast on day one to lunch on the last day
- Tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and multi-day backpack
- Use of trekking poles and crampons if needed
- All emergency equipment
- All national park fees and permits
What’s not included:
- Transportation to your pre-trip accommodation
- Accommodation before the trip
- Personal hiking clothes and gear
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To participate in these adventures, strong fitness levels and some hiking experience are required. You will be hiking for 8-10 miles (13-16 km) a day for 4-5 days, with up to 3,400 ft (1,040 m) in daily elevation change. You will be hiking through moderately rugged terrain with moderate height exposure while carrying a 35-45 lb (15-20 kg) pack. You should also take into consideration that these tours may not be suitable for those with a fear of heights.
If you’re new to hiking, check out our beginner-friendly Grand Canyon tours.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
- Three water bottles (at least 1L capacity each)
- Sturdy hiking boots or shoes
- Wool or synthetic hiking socks — at least 3 pairs
- Hiking clothes
- Spare clothes for layering and 4-5 days of hiking
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sunhat
- Toiletries (hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Sleeping bag (can be provided by guide)
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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You can expect top-notch 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Anyone can be issued a single tent. Self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags are also provided.
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Group sizes and prices:
- For these adventures, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1, with a maximum of 9 guests per tour.
- It takes at least 4 guests for a tour to operate.
- The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 but older than 12 may be permitted to join the tours on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
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To get to Flagstaff, AZ, most people fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport which is 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, or somewhere in Flagstaff. You will meet your guide for an orientation meeting at 5:00 pm the evening before the trip.
Your guide recommends spending the night before the tour at the Little America Hotel. This is why they’ve prepared a 10-60% discount using this reservation page. The following morning, your guide will pick you up and take you to the trailhead (between 4 and 7 a.m.—depending on the weather and road conditions).
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