21 April 2024
Boucher Creek to Hermit’s Rest
(9 miles, +4,700/-800 feet).

Here’s what the National Park Service has to say about our route out of the canyon today:

The Boucher Trail (pronounced Boo-shay) offers access to a charming and secluded part of the Grand Canyon, but the beauty has a price. The Boucher challenges even experienced canyon hikers. The trail consists of tough, tedious traverses linked together by knee-destroying descents, with a section of exposed hand and toe climbing thrown in for good measure.

Spot on! Except we are going up instead of down, so delete “knee” and insert “glut” 😛.

To beat the heat we packed up and were ready to leave camp at 10 to 6.

Our food bags were empty, but we were not expecting to find water, so I loaded up with 3.5 liters for the day ahead.

The trail goes straight up a rocky ravine below White’s Butte. There was plenty of hand and toe climbing, but it was Class 2. None of it was exposed. All work and no fear.

There is a saddle at 4500 feet where we entered upper Travertine Canyon for a “tough, tedious , traverse.”

We were definitely above the Tonto and well into the Redwall Limestone layer of the Grand Canyon.

After a mile of traverse, the trail starts climbing again up a ravine in upper Travertine Canyon. It then switches back to prepare you for the toughest climb.

And then, the crux!

Pictures never quite to these moments justice, but here I am in the middle of an exposed 30 foot section. You don’t want to let go here!

It only took about 5 minutes of focused hand-holds, but I would definitely describe it as class 3. Adrenaline seared my mouth at the top.

There are many wonderful places to camp around Yuma Point. There are even some potholes that hold water a few days after storms. I will have to come back here!

By 11:30am we made it to the intersection where the Boucher Trail and Hermit Trail merge.

The Hermit Trail was a completely different beast. So manicured after our desert adventure!

It was a little jarring to wade through the crowd at Hermit’s Rest. But we made it to the shuttle and had a nice conversation with a family that was curious about our trip.

Soon we were back at the car.

I foolishly thought we might want to drive back to San Diego tonight, so I did not book a hotel. But we were wiped, and the Yavapai Lodge had rooms.

Soon we were dining on salads and drinking the nectar of the Gods.