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Hey guys!

Has anyone done the trail down to Hermit Rapids? My friends and I applied for a permit and they sent a letter saying they are holding it, but that it's a difficult trail, etc. etc. They want us to tell them our experiences in the GC, what tent we're carrying, etc. Do they do this for all non-corridor trails? Is it really that difficult for an experienced hiker?

It kind of freaked me out that it may be too hard for us but we have some decent GC experience. We plan to hike down, stay 2 nights at the Rapids, then come up on the third day. As far as GC experience, we've done RTR (S Kaibab to Cottonwood- day 1, then Cottonwood to N Kaibab- day 2), Havasupai- about 22 miles, Bright Angel to Indian Gardens and Hermit Trail to Dripping Springs.

Any thoughts?
Mel C

In response to MelC's reply:

As long as it's not summertime you should be fine. I've done the Hermit twice, harder than Bright Angel or Kaibab, but not too difficult. There are a few rockslides to contour around. I would probably want to stay at the Hermite Creek campsite both days and just dayhike down to the rapids. I don't remember there being a great place to camp at the rapids.

There is a great little "swimming pool" just below Hermit Creek Camp along the creek. That was very refreshing in August last year.

Just give the BCO office a call and tell them the trails you've done and they shouldn't have a problem with it.

The form that the BCO sent you is pretty standard. They want to know everything about what you are bringing incase they have to rescue you. They are not implying that you shouldn't go; they just want to know what to look for incase something goes wrong.
I have been going to the GC quite often over the last few months. My friend that applies for the permits always gets that form even though he's been backpacking in the GC dozens of times.
The hike down to Hermit Rapids is not too difficult. If you have experience in the GC, I would not put too much stock in the descriptions that you read. Most of them are over dramatized to keep inexperienced people from killing themselves out there.

The GCBO issued me a permit for March (we got our third choice of routes, but first of dates) on the New Hance/Grandview Loop. Our 2nd choice would have been Hermit/Boucher Loop. They didn't inquire about our experience at all. Maybe it's the time of year, or other factors (such that or mailing address is at an elevation of over 7,000 feet.

I'm not too worried about the difficulty, but I hadn't heard of that kind of scrutiny in most national parks (excluding Denali climbs) before.

Thanks everyone for your responses!

I ended up calling the office and actually got through on my first try on a MONDAY!!! Anyway, the lady said, "yep those forms freak everybody out." haha

Anyway, she couldn't change our campsite because Hermit Creek was full but Hermit Rapids actually sounds really neat- there are only 2 campsites down there and it's on the beach beside the river. It's a longer hike but ah well!

so, I faxed her my shoe brand, shoe type of sole, backpack brand, backpack color and all the other goodies they ask for! I'm looking forward to seeing what this trail is all about!

Mel

I have camped at Hermit Rapids. I thought it was great because there were no other campers there and because of being by the river. As far as I know there is only one really good campsite, but I could be wrong. This campsite has shade trees and all!

In response to MelC's reply:

Just leave out very early from the Hermit Trailhead. Like right after sun-up. It'll be a long day but do-able. You'll be tired when you come down off the zig zag talus slope off Breezy Point when it connects with the Tonto Trail Jcn (See it on Google Earth). I'd probably take a nice hour-long break there if you still can see the sun, it's not too hot and you have water to suck down. Get the boots off there and cool the feet. Then mosey down the Tonto westward for about a half mile to the river trail jcn. It's well marked. You'll make that final push down to the river on the trail alonside the Hermit Creek. Nice walk! Will take about an hour or so from the Tonto Trail Jcn. to get to the river. Was a lot of water there (in creek) last April ('05). Don't know about this year. Be mindful to check for new water reports at BCO regarding Hermit Creek!