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Yuma Point, 2003
Grand Canyon National Park |
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Map
October 9, 2003
For this visit to the Grand Canyon, our plan was to hike down the Hermit Trail to the Boucher Trail and follow it to a
spectacular view at Yuma Point. After riding the free shuttle bus along the West Rim Drive to Hermits Rest, we started down
the trail at 8:30am on a beautiful, sunny day. The Hermit Trail starts out innocently enough, but steepens considerably before
levelling out in Waldron Basin, 1400' below the rim. At this point, we had descended as far down into the Canyon that we
were going to on this day. Ahead of us was a 3+ mile, generally level traverse along the edge of Hermit Canyon.
In Waldron Basin, we left the Hermit Trail and took the Dripping Springs Trail across the head of Hermit Canyon, crossing from
the east side to the west. We then picked up the Boucher Trail and followed it along the western edge of Hermit Canyon.
This portion of the Boucher Trail contours along the edge of Hermit Canyon and maintains a general steady elevation on its
way to Yuma Point before diving steeply down on a meandering course toward the river. Being a secondary trail, we saw
almost no traffic (2 persons) and we walked along in blissful solitude.
Hermit Trailhead |
Dripping Springs Jct. |
Head of Hermit Canyon |
Along the Boucher Trail |
A look back |
More Boucher views |
Five miles from our start at the Hermit Trailhead, we arrived at Yuma Point and plopped down to enjoy the view. It was a
magnificent day and the spectacular view was as good as any that we had seen in the Canyon. We relaxed, snacked and
napped in the warm October sun, enjoying the splendor of the magnificent Grand Canyon. It was a beautiful location and we
had time to relax. After 1-1/2 hours, we left our little corner of paradise and headed back the way we came.
Approaching Yuma Point |
Us at Yuma Point |
On the edge |
Yuma Point view east |
View west, Whites Butte |
Head back |
We traversed back along the edge of Hermit Canyon, then crossed over and met the Hermit Trail once more In Waldron Basin.
The bulk of the climb to the rim lay ahead of us and the Hermit Trail proved challenging, especially for the first half mile of climbing.
Leaving Waldron Basin, the steep grade is often constucted of stones arranged as sort of a cobblestone. We knew that the climb
would be difficult, but also knew that it wasn't extensively long. Within an hour after leaving Waldron Basin, we had climbed back
up to the rim and finished our trip at Hermit Trailhead where we had started.
Head of Hermit Canyon |
Up the steep Hermit Trail |
Hermit Trail cobblestone |
Upper Hermit Trail |
Finish at Hermit TH |
