The Hermit Road was closed during my first season at the Grand Canyon, so the common Hermit-Tonto-Bright Angel Loop was at the top of the list of my hikes to tackle in 2009. With two days of hiking and one night on The Colorado River at Granite Rapid, this was my first overnight hike in the canyon since 2008, and it went as smoothly and perfectly as a Grand Canyon trip can be.

April 9-10, 2009

the upper reaches of the Hermit Trail

one of a few rockslides along the Supai traverse

Lookout Point

I climbed the small butte at Lookout Point. The summit is narrow and exposed, making it a worthwhile side trip.

Hermit Canyon as seen from the trail.

the top of the “Cathedral Stairs” descent through the Redwall

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