Grand Canyon: Hermit, Tonto, Bright Ange l Loop

“Here is a link to pictures of my trip to the Grand Canyon.
http://community.webshots.com/album/380176310nrnESk
This was a solo trip, went over 48 hours without seeing another hiker. Hermit trail has lots of rockslides to work through. Tonto trail was brutally hot as soon as the sun was up.”

“Whisky,
Thinkbubelz & I hiked part of Hermit Trail in 2001-- Recent rains had washed the trail out and we accidentally went on the Dripping Springs Trail and never got to see the Santa Maria Springs.... (Ended up going 3 miles in the wrong direction!) It was quite the adventure... We learned never to hike a trail without a proper topo map and to make sure that we leave word with our family about where we are going!)

I'm so jealous that you have pictures! unbeknownst to us, our camera malfunctioned on that trip and I had taken 14 rolls of film that never went through the camera.... On top of that, we got home on Sept, 9th... 9/11 happened 2 days later and when I went to the store to pick up my pictures on 9/13, (hoping for something to bring a little spark of happiness into the dark days...) I was devastated to find no pictures.....

At the bottom of the hill, I remember there being a fork-- one leading to Dripping Springs and the other to Santa Maria Springs--- There was a huge rock where the rubble had washed onto the path (the rock was curved and basically had a drop into the canyon.) That was where we lost the Santa Maria Springs trail and headed the wrong way-- I wonder if they finally cleaned up the trail so that it is now more noticable?”

“Some additional questions:

How much water is on Tonto Trail? Does it go to the bottom of the Canyon? and how hot was it when you were there? How long did it take you to hike to the bottom?

Did you see lots of scorpions?

We hope to go back soon-- how long in advance did you need permits to camp in the back-country?”

“Great pictures! I was there with my family last Summer. Definately want to get back there, and do some backpacking.”

“I would like to get out there for Xmas break again.”

“pinkbubelz,
There was a sign posted at the fork of Hermit and Boucher trails, Boucher goes to Dripping Springs, Hermit to Santa Maria.
I take several one time use cameras on my hikes, so my pictures may not be the greatest but if one does screw up at least I'll have pictures from the others.
There are a lot of rockslides on the Hermit to work through. Some places the original trail is burried and you have to climb up, over, or down the rubble to continue. There were small cairns to follow.
The Tonto had water at Hermit Creek my 1st campsite, Mounument Creek my 2nd camp, Salt Creek had water, but just a small trickle. Horn Creek had water but I didn't use it because it is radio active from the old Orphan Mine. The rangers that I talked with at the back country office said that Cedar Springs was flowing, but I didn't need water at that point so I never went to see for myself. My 3rd camp was Indian Gardens and there was water from a spigot there.
The Tonto does not go to the Colorado River. You would have to follow the Hermit Rapids trail or the Granite Rapids trial to get there.
It was very hot, I didn't have a thermometer but I'd say near 100 day time temps.
Did not see any scorpions, but I did see a small Rattle Snake in some rocks on the Tonto Trail between Salt Creek and Horn Creek. He buzzed like a very mad loud bee and I walked around him at a safe distance.
I applied for my permit several months in advance, 4 month if I remember right.
I had a great time, allthough a real test for me this trip was. I did get lonely after not seeing anyone for over 48 hours. There was nobody at my first 2 campsites.
Hope you all enjoyed the pics.
:)”