Hermit Trail Surprise

 

"We didn't get the permits."

Dani's proclamation was no surprise. Arizona's Rim to Rim Trail in the Grand Canyon is one of the nation's most popular. Dani, in case you didn't know, is my Arizona hiking friend/tour guide whom I met three years ago in Washington. As fate would have it, she lives less than an hour away from where my Dad just moved. So needless to say, Arizona is my new destination spot for hiking. This is a godsend, considering the worst months for hiking here in Washington are the best months there. Or at least that's what I thought.

I didn't mind not getting the desired permits--I was game for any ol' trail with the beautiful Arizona sun giving me some much needed vitamin D. Being as I was game for whatever my" tour guide" had planned, I didn't give any thought to this "other" permit that was obtained. Hermit Creek, she says? Sounds great...as long as there is some water, we are all good. I mean, I may need to cool down in it, right?

Thankfully, Dani set me straight before I left Washington with a screenshot of the weather forecast. A possible low of 15 degrees?!? And snow?!? With an estimated 2-4 inches, at least I knew I wouldn't need to pack my snowshoes, but all the other cold weather gear went into the pack...along with my vitamin D supplements :(

What I didn't expect was to be going into the Grand Canyon! Turns out Hermit Creek is just another trail down--who knew? It's just an eight mile in, eight mile out situation, so we thought we'd do what is one of my favorite hiking scenarios: Day One) Hike in and set up camp. Day Two) Explore area with a day pack and Day Three) Pack up and head out. 

It's a LONG drive from where we were, so day one was actually just getting there and setting camp in one of the free (my favorite!) campgrounds just outside of the National Park. As the snow started to fall, we decided getting a warm meal and finding any other way to stay indoors was a good plan. So for your information: 1) The Yavapai Lodge has reasonably priced food and their elk chili is pretty good. (Though expect to feel a little guilty as you see all the cute elk roaming around.) 2) The IMAX theater is everything you remember from the 80's and is great trip down memory lane, but a bit pricey at $12 for a half hour show. (Though some great information about the Grand Canyon.)

I was very confused when I put "Hermit Creek Trailhead" into my GPS and it said there was no route available, but I knew Dani had our backs. Turns out when you get the permit (sorry, but I have no info on how that's done...but I will say it does not sound easy) you get the special code to get through the gate that is otherwise closed to the public. (Except by means of public transport.) I must admit, I do so love being VIP! ;)

Sorry, but you are delicious

The views were AMAZING as we drove the restricted road, but as we pulled into the hiker's lot, we were not feeling so special. Sideways snow will tend to make you feel like you are more possibly an idiot for being there then anything special. Though we fully accept we are both hiking fools...so away we went. 

Back when I was envisioning Hermit Creek as a sunny meandering trail amidst the Arizona hills, I could accept Dani's estimation of a four hour hike out on day three. Four hours for eight miles is kind of maximum speed for me, but it's not totally unreasonable. But as we plummeted 1600 feet in the first two miles, we started to discuss our plan of getting out and back to my Dad's by 6 pm on day three. (Which was a necessity for me.) Six hours later and finally getting to camp (and let me remind you, this is going down) we agreed staying that extra day was a hard no. The crazy weather (hail hitting you hard in the face for example) made the call pretty easy.

My "hikery" shot ;)

Dani taught me another important hiking lesson (sorry that I don't number them anymore) when we finally rolled into camp: if there is any question about the weather, get that tent up ASAP. All I wanted to do was eat (another lesson...don't forget to have snacks super accessible! There are often times you just don't want to stop, even though you really should) but getting caught in a deluge is far worse than hunger. And wouldn't you know, the SECOND we got in our tents, it struck--HARD. I have never been so thankful to be safe in my tent. 

I will say that Dani's guess at four hours out was not ridiculous...for her. And as we hiked together and she always stayed within sight, I kind of forgot we are on different planets when it comes to speed. But that last hard mile up, she cut the apron strings. "I'll see you at the car. I'll wait an hour before I come looking for you." And sure enough, I was right on time. (An hour AFTER she got there, to be clear...and that was just one mile.) I'm so extremely thankful she puts up with me. May you find a hiking tour guide who is just as wonderful. Happy "unexpected but amazing" trails!

My Arizona Angel