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Length: Given its demanding vertical nature, be forewarned that trail mileages in GC can be misleading, because hiking times here are consistently longer than most terrain found elsewhere.  As with many GC trails, the different guide sources available report the length of this trail anywhere between 9.5 and 11 miles.  We think it’s closer to 10.5 miles from Hermit’s Rest to The River.

Water: There is perennial water at Dripping Springs, which should only be necessary during an ascent and can be reached by a short spur trail near the southwest end of Hermit Canyon.   Boucher Creek and The River are also perennial sources.   We have found that after spring and winter storms the potholes below Yuma Point can be reliable for days, but we never counted on it as a certainty when preparing to camp there.

Campsites: Descending Boucher Trail, there is no camping until beyond the Dripping Springs Trail junction. From there camping is at-large. There are several campsites along the traverse to the Supai descent, but none compare to the overlooks below Yuma Point, which is a great place to split the trail into two days. There are additional campsites at Whites Butte Saddle, Boucher Creek at both of the West Tonto junctions, and at The River.

Reflections and Attractions: This trail is a rugged, yet rewarding GC experience. The traverse along the west side of Hermit Canyon often skirts deceptively close to Redwall cliff drop-offs. The views from the overlooks below Yuma Point will render you speechless, but if you camp in the vicinity be prepared for the potential of extreme winds. Boucher Creek and the surrounding environs offer excellent lounging, ruin viewing, and exploration possibilities. The stroll downstream to Boucher Rapids is an impressive sight and worth the time.

Warnings and Musings: Do not take Boucher Trail lightly. Aside from a few welcome exceptions, the slope of this trail can be relentless. Have enough prior GC experiences and be physically and mentally prepared before attempting this one. We once encountered an outmatched foursome attempting to hike out from the creek in one day, starting late and moving slow. They spent the night somewhere near the Supai ascent waiting out a freak windstorm complete with rain and snow. Being overdue hikers, Rangers assisted them out the following day.