Grand Canyon - Hermit to Bright Angel

Our first day is a long, and at times traversing trail, down through the Supai Formation and over 7.5 miles to Hermit Creek Camp. At 2,980 feet in elevation, Hermit Creek Camp is just below the Bright Angel Shale of the Tonto Plateau and in perfect position for a walk across the Plateau the following day. We get an early start in anticipation of a shorter hike, only 5.7 miles, and also with thoughts of our next camp at Granite Rapids along the banks of the Colorado River. Rafters and Kayakers can often be seen running this impressive rapid that seems to slam into the Vishnu Schist and Zoroaster Granite on the Northern Bank of the River. Day three is another day at the beach! Camp at Monument Creek for this evening is only two miles up the wash and leaves us plenty of time to enjoy ourselves and reflect on the enormity of the Grand Canyon. Another World Class campsite at Monument Creek and again at the base of the Tonto Plateau poised for a meandering walkabout that will cover over 10 miles on the Tonto Trail the following day! Day four is an early start to get a jump on our longest day of the trip. With only 805 feet of levation gain for the day, it is a pleasurable hike with time to ponder the trip thus far and anticipating a Southwestern style dinner in the cool trees of Indian Gardens Campground. With the South Rim in site we head out the morning of day five for our final day of the trip which will take us through the forgiving switchbacks of the Bright Angel trail as it assists us through the 3,000 feet of elevation gain to our final destination.