Hermit to Monument Creek
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
Backpacking Gear Included
|Fresh Meals Prepared Daily
|Professional Wilderness Guides
Hermit to Monument Creek
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
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Cost:
$1697 (4 Day)
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Type:
Backpacking
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Length:
4 days
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Difficulty:
Moderate – Advanced
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Mileage:
20 – 25+ miles
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Elevation change:
4000 – 6000 Ft.
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Season:
Year Round
*IMPORTANT* – Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Grand Canyon, this tour should be booked no less that 5+ months out to obtain permits. We accept and encourage bookings less than five months out but permit availability may be limited.
Adventure Details
Our Hermit Creek/Monument Creek hike is the perfect hike if you have backpacked before or are already in great shape and want to experience the canyon in solitude. This 4 day backpacking tour goes in and out on the Hermits Rest trail staying at either or both the Hermit Creek Campground and/or the Monument Creek Campground. This hike will consist of 20-25 miles and will take you to some of the best lookout points and secluded campsites that the canyon has to offer.
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: South Rim to Hermit Creek or Monument Creek
Daily Mileage: 8.2–9.3 miles
Elevation Loss: Approximately 3,700 feet
Experience: A demanding first-day descent featuring historic trail construction, expansive canyon views, rugged terrain, and a transition from the South Rim into the remote inner canyon.
Your Grand Canyon backpacking adventure begins at the historic Hermit Trailhead on the South Rim. Originally constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1911, the Hermit Trail follows a rugged route deep into one of the canyon’s quieter and less-traveled corridors.
The day begins with a substantial descent through the canyon’s upper rock layers, with increasingly dramatic views into Hermit Canyon as we work our way below the rim. The trail traverses above the towering Redwall Limestone before descending toward the broad Tonto Platform. Along the way, occasional openings provide your first glimpses of the Colorado River far below and a preview of the terrain we will explore over the coming days.
Once we reach the Tonto Platform, the hiking becomes considerably more gradual as we make our way toward camp at either Hermit Creek or Monument Creek, depending on permit availability. After descending approximately 3,700 vertical feet, arriving at flowing water and settling into camp offers a welcome opportunity to relax, cool off, and recover from our first big day below the rim.
Route Options:
Hermit Trailhead to Hermit Creek: 8.2 miles
Hermit Trailhead to Monument Creek: 9.3 miles
Camp: Hermit Creek or Monument Creek
Highlights: Descend the historic Hermit Trail, Sweeping views into Hermit Canyon, Traverse above the Redwall Limestone, First glimpses of the Colorado River, Camp beside one of the canyon’s remote creek corridors
Day 2: Hermit or Monument Creek to Granite Rapids
Daily Mileage: 1.6–4.6 miles
Elevation Loss:
Experience: A shorter day that transitions from the open Tonto Platform into the enclosed Monument Creek drainage before reaching the Colorado River and the powerful Granite Rapids.
After a more relaxed morning in camp, we continue deeper into the Grand Canyon toward the Colorado River. If starting from Hermit Creek, our route crosses the open Tonto Platform toward Monument Creek, passing broad views across the canyon and the impressive sandstone formation known simply as the Monument, which rises roughly 160 feet above the surrounding landscape.
We eventually descend into the dry drainage of Monument Creek. Compared with the major elevation loss of our first day, today’s descent feels relatively gentle. As the canyon walls begin closing in around us, intermittent water gradually returns to the creek bed and the environment changes from exposed plateau hiking to a narrow inner-canyon drainage.
Before long, the distant roar of Granite Rapids begins echoing through the canyon. Following Monument Creek toward the river, we arrive at the Colorado and one of the most dramatic settings of the trip. Our camp near Granite Rapids provides an opportunity to experience the river up close while surrounded by towering canyon walls.
Route Options:
Hermit Creek to Granite Rapids: approximately 4.6 miles
Monument Creek to Granite Rapids: approximately 1.6 miles
Camp: Granite Rapids
Highlights: Views across the Tonto Platform, Pass the 160-foot Monument formation, Hike through the Monument Creek drainage, Reach the Colorado River, Experience the roar of Granite Rapids, Camp deep within the inner canyon
Day 3: Granite Rapids to Hermit Creek or Monument Creek
Daily Mileage: 1.6–4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 700–1,600 feet
Experience: A moderate climbing day designed to break the journey back to the South Rim into two manageable stages while allowing plenty of time to enjoy the inner canyon.
After enjoying another relaxing morning along the Colorado River, we begin climbing away from Granite Rapids. Rather than attempting the entire ascent to the South Rim in a single day, today allows us to gain elevation gradually and position ourselves for the final climb tomorrow.
We retrace our route through Monument Creek, leaving the sound of the Colorado River behind as the canyon opens back toward the Tonto Platform. Depending on our permitted campsite, we will either stop at Monument Creek or continue farther along the Tonto Trail toward Hermit Creek.
Although today involves considerably less mileage than our first day, the uphill hiking provides a noticeable change of pace. The gradual climb is an excellent opportunity to take in the landscape from a new perspective and appreciate just how far below the rim we have traveled.
Once at camp, we have the remainder of the afternoon to relax, replenish our energy, and prepare for tomorrow’s climb back to the South Rim.
Route Options:
Granite Rapids to Monument Creek: approximately 1.6 miles with 700 feet of elevation gain
Granite Rapids to Hermit Creek: approximately 4.6 miles with up to 1,600 feet of elevation gain
Camp: Monument Creek or Hermit Creek
Highlights: Morning at the Colorado River, Climb through Monument Creek, Return to the Tonto Platform, Expansive inner-canyon views, Shorter hiking day with time to relax at camp
Day 4: Hermit Creek or Monument Creek to the South Rim
Daily Mileage: Approximately 8.2–9.3 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,700 feet
Experience: The most sustained climbing day of the trip, ascending nearly 3,700 vertical feet from the inner canyon to the South Rim along the rugged and historic Hermit Trail.
We get an early start on our final morning, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and morning shade as we begin the sustained climb toward the South Rim.
The Hermit Trail provides a noticeably different experience on the ascent. Rock layers and landmarks that seemed to pass quickly during our descent now become markers of our progress toward the rim. Much of the lower trail offers periods of shade, while higher sections gradually become more exposed as we climb through the canyon’s upper formations.
Unlike some of the Grand Canyon’s more heavily traveled corridor trails, Hermit Trail typically sees fewer hikers. Its quiet, rugged character makes the final ascent feel remote even as we approach the South Rim. After several days of hiking and adjusting to life on the trail, many hikers are surprised by how steadily they are able to climb.
Reaching the Hermit Trailhead marks the completion of approximately four days traveling through one of the Grand Canyon’s classic backcountry routes, from the South Rim to the Colorado River and back again.
Route Options:
Hermit Creek to Hermit Trailhead: approximately 8.2 miles
Monument Creek to Hermit Trailhead: approximately 9.3 miles
Highlights: Early morning climb in cooler temperatures, Ascend through the Grand Canyon’s major rock layers, Remote hiking on the less-traveled Hermit Trail Approximately 3,700 feet of elevation gain Return to the South Rim and complete the journey
Important Itinerary Note
Due to Grand Canyon National Park backcountry permit availability, campsite assignments, daily mileage, and the specific route may vary from the itinerary described above. Trips may utilize either Hermit Creek or Monument Creek campsites, which will affect daily mileage and elevation totals.
Pickup Locations
Our Grand Canyon Hermit Creek hike and guided backpacking tours start and end in Phoenix, AZ; saving you travel time and money on your travel expenses compared to leaving from Flagstaff, AZ. Transportation from our Phoenix Hotel Partner is included in the cost of the tour. We do not pickup in Flagstaff, AZ as orientation is mandatory and takes place in Phoenix, AZ the night prior to the hike.
What to Bring
Our camping and hiking trips include all pro-quality gear, meals required for your adventure. This includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking supplies, trekking poles, and daypacks and/or backpacks. We are happy to accommodate food allergies and most dietary restrictions. Please include your preferences in your Registration Form so that we can prepare accordingly.
Gear Included
Discovery Treks tours are all inclusive tours which include:- All meals from lunch day 1 through lunch day 4
- An experienced Wilderness First Responder Certified Grand Canyon Backpacking Guide
- Transportation From Phoenix
- Necessary pro-quality backpacking gear including 65 - 75L Osprey backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, double occupancy tent (Single tent upgrade available for $50)
- All permits and fees
December
January
February
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April
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June
July
Don't see a tour date that works for you?
We may still be able to schedule additional tour dates that fall within your travel window.
Please call our office to inquire at 480-247-9266.