The dream of hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River came true! This was a 3 night, 4 day hike. Started at the Bill Hall Trailhead. This is a very strenuous hike. The first day we did three descents and camped at Upper Tapeets campground, an oasis in Thunder Canyon. Thunder Canyon is amazing - the sound of the rushing water and so much of it was "thunderous". Of course, all the descents had to be ascended again to get out of the canyon!
Notes: We cached water on the Esplanade for the trip back, but I didn't need mine and left it for future hikers. If you are scared of heights you might not like this hike. In order to get to the Colorado River, you need to be on a path that has some exposure (if you fell, it wouldn't be good.)
Notes: We cached water on the Esplanade for the trip back, but I didn't need mine and left it for future hikers. If you are scared of heights you might not like this hike. In order to get to the Colorado River, you need to be on a path that has some exposure (if you fell, it wouldn't be good.)
Highlights: experiencing the heat of Surprise Valley, watching the rafters row down the Colorado, scary path with exposure down to the Colorado.
Pictures (l to r): Thunder River, me sitting in shelter by the Colorado River, view of Colorado and Tapeets River converging, Surprise Valley at the end of the day
Map used: National Geographic Grand Canyon Trails Illustrated Map
Map used: National Geographic Grand Canyon Trails Illustrated Map
