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Day 1 Grand Canyon Hermit – South Kaibab

Hermit Trailhead to Hermit Creek

Distance 15.6 km, 1323 m elevation loss, 6 hrs 30 min

We got up after a good sleep. While making breakfast and packing, I got a phone call on my cell. I often do not answer calls to my cell, but my thought was “Who could be calling me?” It was the Calgary Airport calling: they had blue duffel bag with no luggage tags, but personal identification tag with my name and number. They asked if I wanted the bag sent to me. As we were only minutes from actually leaving our room to start the hike, I asked them to have our airline hold onto the duffel bag, and we would pick it up when we got home. It was good to know that we hadn’t lost our equipment. But it was time to start the hike with the bits and pieces we had cobbled together.

Making breakfast

We parked the car at the Backcountry Visitor Centre and headed off to catch the shuttle to Hermit’s Rest. On the bus just after 8am.

On the bus

After a short but pleasant bus ride, we arrived at Hermit’s Rest. We took a moment to read the information boards at the trailhead. Always a fun source of information, plus a warning that the trail is unmaintained and can be challenging for inexperienced hikers. While I felt confident in our abilities, I was curious how we would handle the challenges ahead.

A warning
Yay, We are here, but we have to get there, and it’s a long way

We hit the trail about 9am, not bad, considering we had to allow for the bus ride. The trail is actually pretty straightforward, no route-finding necessary. After a brief walk towards the inner canyon, with tantalizing views, you turn 180 degrees and walk back towards the head of Hermit Canyon. We passed a large group; they looked like they were part of geology class offered by one of the local universities or the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Something I will definitely do at some point in the future.

The beginning
The view is Grand, but we have a long way to go

Well-defined switchbacks had us constantly dropping in elevation as we traversed first the cliffs of the Kaibab Limestone and the Coconino Sandstone. After about 1hr 10min we arrived at Santa Maria Springs, a distance of 3.5km and an elevation loss of 500m or about 142m/km. We had lost more than 37% of the elevation in a just 22% of the distance for the day. While the trail had been a nice steady gradient for descending, it would be a tough climb out. Santa Maria Springs is a nice little stop. Emily took her time investigating the little building and some items left by fellow hikers.

The cliffs are towering above us
Emily found a building
Interesting items left by other hikers
Santa Maira Spring

The trail now headed along the Supai rock formation, a series of cliffs and slopes in quick succession. Lengthy traverses were punctuated by steep switchbacks, making for a fun and interesting hike. Adding to the excitement were some rock falls which covered the trail, requiring a bit of scrambling. Always good to pause to make sure that you’re still on the trail after clearing the rockfall.

Life is resilient, in the rubble of a rockfall a flower blooms
Traversing under the big wall of Coconino, now in the Supai
Its a long way down
Emily sizing up what is in front of us
The views are expanding
Panoramic view of the inner canyon

We stopped for lunch at Lookout Point, a beautiful spot that juts out into the canyon, allowing for panoramic views up and down the inner canyon.

Lunch

It took another 1hr to get to Breezy Point. After the big initial elevation loss, the section from Santa Maria to Breezy Point covered 5.3km but only 170m of elevation loss.

Clambering over some rock fall
Me coming over the rocks, like our matching hats
IF you look carefully, you can see the trail cutting across the slopes and a small blue figure in the centre

Next we came to the top of the Cathedral Stairs. Getting down the Redwall Limestone is always a challenge in the Grand Canyon. The Cathedral Stairs are a series of steep switchbacks which took us down the Redwall quickly. There was some exposure. If you’re careful where you put your feet and take your time, the stairs are no problem. We stopped for a quick photo, then headed down the stairs. Including a lunch break, it took us 1hr 50min to get to Cathedral Stairs after leaving Santa Maria Springs.

Have to find away down through the cliffs
Coming up to the Cathedral Stairs, you can see the trail running along the slope in the distance
All ready to descend the stairs

After the Cathedral Stairs, a long traverse followed. A quick descent and we arrived at the junction with the Tonto Trail, about 4hrs 50min after we left the trailhead. Since Breezy Point, we had only travelled 1.5km, but lost 369m of elevation or 246m/km, and very steep pitch.

You can see the trail cutting across the Bright Angel Shale on the Tonto Plateau
Signage, we will come back by this spot tomorrow

When hiking big distances through the Grand Canyon, it’s easy to be focussed on getting to your destination. It’s a good idea to stop occasionally and take in all the scenery the canyon has to offer. Since it was spring, brightly coloured flowers and cacti were everywhere.

A large cactus
Lovely pink colour
Yellow flowers

A quick 20 minutes of hiking took us to the junction of the Tonto with the trail to Hermit Rapids.

The canyon to the river is just to our right

We followed Hermit Creek down the rapids through a canyon. It is absolutely impressive how such a trickle of water can be the root cause of such a large canyon. The initial descent into the canyon is down well-graded trail with a little wall beside it, a nice touch as there is some exposure. Once we hit the canyon, hiking to the river was a simple matter of following the canyon down to where Hermit Creek empties into the Colorado River.

Looking back up Hermit Canyon
More signage
The wall

It was interesting to see the rock change from the Bright Angel Shale, through the cliffs of the Tapeats Sandstone, to the Vishnu Schist of the Inner Gorge. The contact point from the Tapeats to the Vishnu represents a time span of approximately 1.2 billion years between the creation of the two rock layers. This represents more than 25 percent of Earth’s history. We had walked 2.5km from when we had left the Tonto Trail, down 184m, in about 1hr 15min (we stopped a lot to enjoy the canyon).

Descending into the canyon
The transition from the Tapeats Sandstone to the Vishnu Schist, a 1.2 billion year gap
Vishnu Shcist, not layered like the rocks above

Once arriving at the river, we dumped our packs and explored. There is a small beach and we found a snake in the grass! After setting up camp (the REI Half Dome 2 tent that we purchased set up easily) and eating dinner, we explored the area. A young couple arrived as darkness started to settle, but we never saw them again. We hung our Ratsack metal food cache bag from an old tree. We treated ourselves to a movie off the my tablet, I think it was Monsters Inc.

Our campsite
A well earned rest at the river
A view upstream on the Colorado River
Our REI Half Dome 2
Filling water bottles from the stream through a bandana
Emily making dinner
A snake

After a brilliant day on the trail, it was time to head to bed, lying on our foam pads and sharing the sleeping bag as a duvet.

The Ratsack
Hermit Creek
Emily enjoying a bit of scrambling in the evening
The campsite
Hermit Rapids
The sun sets on the high walls of the Inner Gorge
Cool rocks
Frosty Paws would like to wish everyone a good night from Hermit Rapids

Day 2 Grand Canyon Hermit – South Kaibab

Grand Canyon Hermit – South Kaibab Home

bootwreckers

View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the South Kaibab Trail.

This April will be our 10 year anniversary of our first trip to the Grand Canyon.

It is truly one of my happy places, have visited five times and camped below the rim three times.

Looking to get back sometime soon, but good things are worth the wait.

#nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #100yearsofgrand #100yearsofbeauty #100yearsofgrandcanyon
Sunday morning sunrise! There are perks for getti Sunday morning sunrise!

There are perks for getting up early on a Sunday to go grocery shopping, and the mountain sunrises are one of them.

Shot off my phone from the parking in downtown Canmore.

#sunrise #sunrisephotography #sunrise_sunset_photogroup #earth #outside #outdoors #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #sky #skyphotography #sky_brilliance
No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has sta No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has started out a little rough.

Just like hiking, if we keep going we will see beauty in amongst the prickles, but we need to stay on the trail.

Here's to good times ahead.

From our hike last year Emily hiking among the cactii towards the feature we affectionately named the Thumb, Passage 16 on the Arizona Trail

#teamzpacks #zpacks #zpacksduplex #aztassociation #aztrail #aztrails #hike #loveazt #desertphotography #desert #hikingadventures #hikes #backpacking #camping #getoutside #familytime #traillife #aztassociation , #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside  #rightnow #goparks #aztrails #aztrail #loveazt  #azt #arizonatrailassociation
Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP with @sio.mellors 

Lots of waterfalls to see in the park, Laughing Falls is a fun and loud falls right off the main trail located surprisingly, next to Laughing Falls CG.

We stopped by on our way to Twin Falls CG after spending the day hiking the Iceline Trail

Like this photo of Siobhan getting close to the falls for her own picture. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #waterfall #waterfallphotography #waterfallsofinstagram
Haiduk Lake, Banff NP. Haiduk Lake is just beyond Haiduk Lake, Banff NP.

Haiduk Lake is just beyond Whistling Pass as you hike from Egypt Lake to Balls Pass Junction.

Very pretty Lake. We were lucky enough to pass by early in the morning as we hiked from Egypt Lake to Floe Lake during our #gdt hike this summer.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewan Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewanka in Banff NP.

Sadly it did not come right out to play,  but was obviously a lot of light coming from th North East.

Always fun to be outside in a dark place to see th glory of the night sky.

#outside, #hiking #camping, #backpacking,
#adventure, #adventureoutside, #nature, #landscapephotography, #nobaddays, #adventureholiday, #hikingadventures, #astrophotography, #milkyway #kootenaylife #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark #nationalparks
#parkscanada #northernlights #aurora #auroras #auroramax
Hiking the GDT Day 1. I was almost completely sa Hiking the GDT Day 1. 

I was almost completely satisfied with or trip on the Great Divide Trail when on Day 1 we finished the uphill to Turbine Canyon and popped out of the woods and saw this amazing alpine vista.

I remember remarking to Emily "this is why I hike"

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection of Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection off the mirror smooth waters.

Another amazing morning hiking the GDT.

Never get tired of Floe Lake, was my third visit and just a year after my previous visit.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography #mirrorphotography #lake
Golden hour! Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Golden hour!

Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Glacier and the Rockwall. 

Waking up at Tumbling Creek Campground during my Great Divide Hike this summer. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography
Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP. From la Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP.

From last summer's Great Divide Trail hike. At th top of Tumbling Pass on the Rockwall, treated to a visual feast of colour.

Awesome day, epic hike.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at the end of winter. The snow was just clearing from the trails, and flowers poking through to greet the warmth.

Heading out over Rockwall Pass, Kootenay NP, with @kbsymington  and @neil.real.deal .

Had some snowfields to cross, good day out on th trail

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia
Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho Natio Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho National Park.

As night fell I was able to take some long exposure shots of Twin Falls Creek as it tumbles through the campground.

Fun 3 day trip with @sio.mellors.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #longexposure #longexposurephotography #river
Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016 Guinn Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016

Guinns Pass connects the valley with Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Creek and the valley with Lillian Lake and Galetea Creek. Stunning views in all directions from the top of the pass.

There is also a scramble up the connecting ridge to the east up to Guinns Peak and onto Mt Kidd South.

Great two days hiking with @emilysjumpinginpuddles

#hikingwithdogs, #hiking, #hikingdogsofinstagram, #outside, #kananaskiscountry, #kananaskis, #spcacanmore, #spcarescue, #snowyowlsleddogtours, #snowyowldogsledtours, #retiredsleddog, #retiredhusky, #backpacking, #tongueouttuesday, #canmore, #canmorealberta, #adventure,
Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, b Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, but last weekend we were treated to quite a display near Taylor Lake in Banff NP

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada #larches #fall #autumn
Amazing sunset over Floe Lake. An early evening s Amazing sunset over Floe Lake.

An early evening storm and the setting sun shining up and reflecting off the clouds. Completely surreal. 

August 17th

Kootenay NP

Part of a 10 day hike along the Great Divide Trail, from Upper Kananaskis Lake to Field, BC

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 day adventure.

Lots of photos, but I will start with a picture of the adult wolf I saw just outside of Egypt Lake Campground.

I was luck to see probably the entire pack, 6 wolves, they were coming out of the woods and crossing the trail to Egypt Lake, and I just happened to be there with my camera.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #banffnationalpark #banffalberta 
 #egyptlake #wolf #wolves #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #wildwolf #wildwolves #gdt #greatdividetrail
Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean ad Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean adventure is near.

Leaving Tuesday for 15 days on the Great Divide Trail with daughter Emily. 

Hiking from Kananaskis Lakes to Saskatchewan River Crossing. 

1st stage is 7 days to Floe Lake, looking like th backpack will be around 45lbs, with tent, food and camera.

Should be a grand adventure.

#outside #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, 
#parkscanada #glaciernationalpark #bctourism #earthexperience
#sunrise #alpine #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography #alpinelake #amazingearth #morningmotivation #travelcanada #explorerockies
#travelcanada #mountainstories #explorecanada #theearthoutdoors #paradisecanada #gdt #greatdividetrail
Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volc Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volcano (@senioradventurepups)

Volcano is turning 13 the first week of August but still crushed the 12km from Laughing Falls CG to view Twin Falls and back to the car via the connector.

Volcano not a big fan of water falls, or me sticking the camera in her face, her expression says it all. But Twin Falls is beautiful and I caught a small rainbow at the bottom.

Had a blast with her, she is always keen to go, jst not as far as before.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #backpackingwithdogs #retiredhusky #retiredsleddog #alaskanhusky
Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP. Super happy to get the reflections on stars in the lake.

Amazing trip to Baker Lake. The resident porcupine chewed a small hole in the fly.

Got up at 2am to take photos of the stars. On the way back, the porcupine was guarding my tent, had to gently shoo it away.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
The light favours the early risers. The low angle The light favours the early risers.

The low angle morning rays from the sun makes a rainbow on Helmet Falls, Kootenay NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #helmetfalls
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