Hiking along one of the Grand Canyon’s more interesting trails.
Grand Canyon National Park has many trails that go down below the rim. However, the trail to Dripping Springs is a bit different than most. Instead of heading down towards the Colorado River, the trail to Dripping Springs follows the canyon walls to a unique oasis in the desert.
The hike begins on the Hermit Trail. Most people hike down to the river from this trail, but I had other plans.
The Hermit Trail is much different than the more popular Bright Angel and South Kaibab. It was originally built in the late 19th century by horse thieves but later improved by the railroad to compete with the Bright Angel which was run by another company.
The trail obviously is no longer maintained.
I found a ton of these little guys sunning themselves on the rocks.
A very picturesque prickly pear cactus growing out of the trail.
As you come down the trail, you enter the very green Hermit Basin.
The Hermit Basin is super green. It is kind of surprising how green this trail was.
Finally reaching the Hermit Basin.
The trail splits at the end of the basin. I took the highroad which had fabulous views.
Of course, the highroad had the trail really close to the edge.
And it was a very long way down.
The views sort of made up for being terrifying.
Almost there to Dripping Springs.
Dripping Springs is also located in a very green basin, but this basin was even greener because of the spring.
Getting very close now. I’m only about 1,000 or so ft down below the rim at this point, but I have to go down again to the Hermit Basin on the way back and climb out of that.
I made it to Dripping Springs! There is actually water dripping from the top. In this dry environment, this little spring does wonders.
The hike to Dripping Springs is long and tiring, a round trip of about 7 mi. The first 6 mi aren’t bad. It’s the last mi back up the Hermit Trail that is strenuous. But I somehow made it back up to the top of the canyon after a long day hike to a very seldom seen area of the park.
Check out my next update where I explore where the dead are buried at Grand Canyon National Park!
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Check out all my other posts on the great state of Arizona!
