KACTUS Saturday KICKERS APS Hiking Club April 17, 2004 Hermit - Tonto - Bright Angel, Grand Canyon

Approximately 220 Miles and 4 Hours from Central Phoenix

Type: DH Maj IE Rating/Points:6 / 2 Elev. Change: 4200' Length: 23.8 miles

Start Time: 4:15 AM Duration: 10 - 14 hours Max No. of Part:N/A Last Scouted: 4/17/1993 Check all that apply Contact Information (give details in Desc.) Coordinator Alternate Major Hike: Name Fred Pfeifer Cross-country: Work Ph (602) 250-2024 Exploratory: Station 8860 Individual Effort: Home Ph (602) 978-1854 (602) 920-3542 (mobile) Options : Email [email protected] [email protected] (home) Pass/Fees Rqd: Description: This major hike will descend into the Grand Canyon for 6.5 miles via the Hermit Trail. Although not actively maintained since 1931, the Hermit Trail is passable and offers some fine views. However, the Hermit Trail is very steep and rugged in several sections that require a slow pace to avoid injury. This is most evident in the initial descent, the Cathedral Stairs section, and the final switchbacks before reaching the Tonto Trail. We will then take the Tonto Trail east for about 12.7 miles to Indian Garden (the one and only potable water supply on the hike). The Tonto Trail offers some excellent views in the canyon so be sure to bring a camera. One of the highlights will be Monument Canyon with its beautifully sculpted cliffs and pinnacles. From Indian Garden, we will ascend the Bright Angel Trail for 4.6 miles to the South Rim and Bright Angel Lodge. This hike will be an excellent way to test your conditioning and equipment for the Grand Canyon Day Hikes on the Memorial Day weekend. Equipment: Bring lunch, trail snacks, and 4 - 6 quarts of water per person (depending on the temperature and how much you drink when hiking); remember it’s about 19.2 miles from Hermits Rest to Indian Garden. Bring a small flashlight or headlamp, first aid kit, foot care kit including moleskin, toilet kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, ibuprophen, light weight top layers, t-shirt, rain shell/parka, convertible pants/shorts, sun hat, ear band, light gloves, extra socks (can be used as mittens), electrolyte replacement drink, 2-way radio (channel 6), extra batteries, trekking poles, knee braces, comfortable boots or good trail runner/jogging shoes, camera. Travel light - no more than 25 lbs. total. You should be wearing all of your clothing (including your rain shell) starting out on the rim and still feel a little chilly at 25ºF. Within 45 minutes from starting out, you’ll warm up and begin shedding layers. Weather: Likely to be cool to cold on the rim, and warm to hot in the inner canyon (a temperature range of 25ºF to 90ºF is not uncommon). Rain and possibly snow are not unusual during this time of year. Start Time: Meet at the West Rim Drive shuttle bus stop just west of the Bright Angel Lodge at 4:15 AM. The shuttle bus leaves at 4:30 AM and arrives at Hermits Rest (the Hermit Trail trailhead) about ½ hour later. The hike will start around 5 AM. The entire hike should take 10 - 14 hours. Reservations: For hike reservations and/or information, please contact the Coordinator. You will need to make your own lodging reservations for Friday night and optionally for Saturday night on the South Rim. Contact Xanterra Parks and Resorts at (888) 297-2757 or on-line at www.xanterra.com. You will be charged for your first night’s stay, but you may cancel the reservation at any time up to 48 hours prior to your check-in date. There is a $20 fee at the Grand Canyon National Park entrance station. Optionally, you may purchase a Grand Canyon National Park annual pass for $40. Conditioning: Should be capable of hiking Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak) 4 times in 4½ hours. If you are unsure about your hiking ability, try this. Note that the hike coordinator may require any participant to demonstrate their hiking ability and/or equipment adequacy as a prerequisite to this hike. If you have medical condition(s) or are taking medication that might cause problems during this hike, check with your physician before committing to this hike (make sure that he/she understands the magnitude of the hike that you are about to attempt). Special Note: Due to the nature of this hike, it is considered an individual effort rather than a group function; however, we will start out as a group. It is strongly recommended that you hike with at least one other person (you must make your own arrangements). Although this hike is on fairly easy to follow secondary trails; some route finding ability may be required, especially on the Tonto Trail crossing the side canyons. It’s helpful to find where the trail exits the side canyons before starting your descent into the drainages. If you are inexperienced or have trouble with route finding, please make your own arrangements to hike with someone who is good at this. Driving Directions: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to I-40. Take I-40 west to SR-64. Take SR-64 north to the Grand Canyon National Park entrance. Please contact the Coordinator if you are unsure on how to get to the West Rim Drive shuttle stop west of the Bright Angel Trail. If you arrive at the Grand Canyon late on Friday night, the entrance station might be closed, in which case you will not be able to receive a park map.