South West USA

The Hermit Trail

There are little bits of history along the Hermit Trail. It's much less famous and much less busy than the Bright Angel or South Kaibab trails into the canyon - but a very interesting and challenging trail. I understand the trail was well maintained in the early 20th centrury by the Santa Fe Railroad but hasn't had official maintenance since the 1930s. There are remains of a luxury camp at Hermit Creek, and signs trail engineering like these nails mid-way through the trail. The stonework on the cathedral stairs and near the top of the trail is definately unique and has aged well without maintenance.

I really wouldn't want to hike down the trail - up, I think, is much easier as there are some very steep section and climbs over rock slides. (The rock slides definiately remind me of the first to second lake segment of the famous Geraldine Lakes trail in Jasper.)

There is a description of the trail on the Grand Canyon National Park web site: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/Hermit_Trail.pdf

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