Grand Canyon NP:Tonto Trail

SOUTHWEST
Grand Canyon NP: Tonto Trail
PRINT & GO
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Trip ID 1211905
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1
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South Bass Trailhead
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Do it
Descend into the Grand Canyon and explore deep side canyons, know as The Jewels, contour around spires and buttes, and witness the
power of the Colorado River on a multi-day trek along the Tonto Trail.
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0
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UTM (ZONE 12S)
Begin at the South Bass trailhead, and descend 1,600 feet in 4.5 miles into Bass Canyon.
0376221E 4005219N
4.6
Bear right onto the Tonto Trail; the route follows this trail for the next 29 miles.
0378269E 4008923N
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6.9
Look down onto the Serpentine Rapids. Next: Trail turns southwest into Serpentine Canyon.
0379918E 4007914N
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14.3
Hike south across the Le Conte and Shaler Plateaus over the next 3.5 miles.
0381500E 4004796N
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19
Drop into Turquoise Canyon (tip: it’s likely you’ll find running water here).
0381013E 4000630N
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21.8
The trail wraps around Sapphire and Agate Canyons; look for seasonal water.
0383017E 3999764N
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25.8
Viewpoint: Look down onto Willies Necktie Rapids. Geikie Peak rises directly to the south.
0386068E 4000366N
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28.6
Cross Slate Creek, one of the more reliable water sources. Look for campsites nearby.
0385661E 3998430N
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31.1
Contour around Marsh Butte before descending into Topaz Canyon.
0388302E 3999159N
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33.7
Turn right onto Boucher Trail. Switchback up west side of Whites Butte into Travertine Canyon.
0388671E 3996260N
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39
Turn left (east) at the T. In one mile, keep straight on Hermit Trail for final climb to Hermits Rest.
0388635E 3991324N
Elevation Profile
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6,642 ft
2,664 ft
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4
3
10 mi
MAP DATUM WGS84
5
20 mi
6
7
9
8
30 mi
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11
40 mi
Total miles: 41.6
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MAP PROVIDERS: MYTOPO AND GOOGLE MAPS. TEXT BY ELI BOSCHETTO. PHOTO BY ELIAS BUTLER
DIRECTIONS
MILE
Grand Canyon NP: Tonto Trail
Plan it
Multi-day gear list
MAPS USGS Quads: Havasupai Point, Grand Canyon
($8, store.usgs.gov). Or custom make your own—see GPS
Data below.
GUIDEBOOK Hiking Grand Canyon National Park, by Rod
Adkison ($19, falcon.com)
PERMITS Required for overnight camping below rim. $10 per
permit, plus $5 per person/night. Additional fees may apply
for South Bass Trail access. nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/
backcountry-permit.htm
SEASON Spring months offer more reliable water sources
and cooler temps. For trail conditions contact the
Backcountry Information Center at (928) 638-7875.
CAMPSITES Side canyons, such as Ruby, Turquoise, and
Sapphire Canyons are good places to set up camp. Caution:
Water sources are not dependable.
GPS DATA Download GPS tracks and waypoints, order
waterproof topos, get detailed route information, and view
photos of this hike at backpacker.com/hikes/1211905.
Wear
 Synthetic pants
 Synthetic T-shirt
 Synthetic undies
 Wool/synthetic socks
 Hiking boots
 Sunglasses
 Wide-brim hat
 Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
Pack
 Backpack
 Three-season tent
 Down bag, sleeping pad
 Gas stove and fuel
 Cookset, bowl, insulated
mug, eating utensils
 32 oz. water bottle (4)
South Bass trailhead
12S 0376221E 4005219N
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Water treatment
Compass, map, GPS unit
Lighter and matches
Multitool/knife
Headlamp, batteries
Trekking poles
Fleece and down jackets
W
aterproof/breathable
jacket and pants
Midweight baselayers
Extra T-shirt
Extra socks & undies
Hat and gloves
Camp footwear
TP and trowel
First-aid kit
Bandana
Stuffsacks/zip-top bags
Babbitt’s General Store
Canyon Village Marketplace
Grand Canyon, AZ
(928) 638-2262
Hermits Rest trailhead
12S 0391000E 3991515N
We Cook Pizza & Pasta
Highway 64
Tusayan, AZ
(928) 638-2278
Bright Angel Lodge
219-221 Village Loop Dr.
Grand Canyon, AZ
(928) 638-2631
Valle Travel Stop
313 S. State Route 64
Williams, AZ
(928) 635-2008
Restaurant/bar
Gear Shop
Gas station
Aspen Sports
15 N. San Francisco St.
Flagstaff, AZ
(928) 779-1935
flagstaffsportinggoods.com
New Frontiers Natural Marketplace
320 S. Cambridge Lane
Flagstaff, AZ
(928) 774-5747
Grocery store
Trailhead
Start drive
Driving Directions from Flagstaff, AZ (100 miles; 3 hours)
1) Drive northwest on US 180/Fort Valley Ranch Rd. for 49 miles; turn right onto US 180/AZ 64, and go 27 miles to Grand Canyon Village.
2) Drive through village on Village Loop Dr.; merge onto West Rim Dr.; park shuttle car at Hermits Rest trailhead (end of road).
3) Backtrack to 3-way junction with West Rim Dr. and unnamed road; turn right on unnamed road, and go 400 ft.
4) Turn right onto another unnamed road; follow it 19.5 miles to South Bass trailhead.
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