21 Miles: Hiking the Hermit Trail, Grand Canyon, Ariz.

A strenuous trail for experienced Grand Canyon hikers, I hiked the Hermit Trail from Hermit's Rest to Granite Rapids and back.

*There's another part to my story, someone who was in the background, but the reason behind my successful solo hike.

Eric Stanley, a supervisor at the Grand Canyon General Store and top-notch in wilderness and adventure sports, advised me -- especially on how much water was needed for a trail like this. He loaned me some of his gear, saving me on costly rentals. He believed in me.

Sadly, he died while hiking late night in the Canyon, eight months after I hiked Hermit's Trail.

Stanley is one of the biggest influences in my life. I use the knowledge that he gave me in so many aspects of my life.

He is missed....

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Hermit
• Trail
• Grand
• Canyon
• Arizona
• Ariz.
• AZ
• Granite
• Rapids
• Hiking
• Hikes
• Trails
• Difficult
• Strenuous
• Hard

[Ekulytes]

Great Vid.! I would like to one day backpack the Grand Canyon. Congrats on being able to hike 21 miles of the canyon! Alone! I will be subscribing. Check out my channel and vids.

[jo1annak]

@Ekulytes @canyonmikehill52 @Chiyo1967 et al. Thank you all for the very kind comments!

I've hiked Death Valley, the Badlands, Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Mount Washington in New Hampshire and Mount Magazine and Petit Jean in Arkansas, within the last few years -- all solo except Death Valley. Too, I have video of my time running in the Running of the Bulls/San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain.

The videos have just been sitting around on my laptop ... hope to put something together soon.

[Chiyo1967]

The footage of the landscape was breathtaking - what stark beauty!

Your journey was nothing less than amazing. I'm glad you were able find water. And, I'm glad you were able to really enjoy your pilgrimage... That's how I see your travels here. More than just a "hike" but a soul-stirring pilgrimage. :o)

Thanks for sharing.

[1019drummer]

fab vidio.

[TheGrandcanyonhyker]

U GO GIRL!!

[muffinman514]

Nice work. Cute too.



[DennyRec]

A great video. The beauty that Heavenly Father has given us, if only take the time to see it. Not long ago, I drove through the Rocky Mtns. Going to be on a 15 day adventure, back packing there, then to Bryce and Zion Canyon in Utah. If all goes good, the to the Grand Canyon next year. Take care and thanks for sharing.

[LacosTacosPacos]

shouldnt hike the grandcanyon during the summer. bad idea. but good video. Hiked it in the winter a couple years back, much nicer and cooler. I brought 2 canteens and a camelback and only drank the camelback.

[broakland2]

Wow, I tip my hat to you, solo trekking in such a place takes a lot of strength on many levels—here's to you—the brave and beautiful.

With admiration from Berkeley, CA

[lucidskies]

I'm very glad you posted this. A lot of the time journeys like this are kept stored in the mind... but you shared it. Thank you. Btw you're good looking too. Lmao

[neogeek79]

I'm doing the Hermit Trail this weekend to Hermit Rapids. I had heard that it was an easy trail, but some of the reading that I'm doing now is making me question that. The hike down and the hike up are both about 7.5 miles. I'm planning on bringing my 3 litre bladder and an empty 1 litre bottle so that I have some extra water for the hike back up. I've never drained my 3 litre, but it's supposed to be about 80F on Sunday for the beginning of my hike back up. Guess I'd better start early!

[YoureAlwaysRight]

Wow! Great video, thanks for sharing it with us.

[paulinaz87]

i think Grand Canyon is the most beautiful place in the world, I hope Ii will see it as soon as possible