To read the trip report from these photos click here.

To read the trip report from these photos click here.

Length:

Water: Perennial sources along or near the West Tonto Trail include Indian Garden, Monument Creek, Hermit Creek, Boucher Creek, Slate Creek, and the Colorado River. Seasonal water sources along or near this trail include Horn Creek, Salt Creek, Cedar Spring, Sapphire Canyon, Turquoise Canyon, Ruby Canyon, Serpentine Canyon, and Bass Canyon. Always check with the Backcountry Information Center prior to a trek for water reports.

Campsites: There is no camping between Horn Creek and Indian Garden. Proceeding west there is only designated camping at Horn Creek, Salt Creek, Cedar Spring, Monument Creek, Granite Rapids, Hermit Creek, and Hermit Rapids. West of Hermit Canyon all the way to Bass Canyon is designated at-large camping.  Here you will find camps in nearly every side-canyon and along the Tonto platform in between side-canyons.

Reflections and Attractions: There is so much to do and see along this trail it’s hard to know where to start.  All of the highlights certainly can’t be experienced in just one trip. Views along the entire length are spectacular, especially along the platforms between side-canyons. Every side-canyon has great opportunities for exploration, and many supply access to The River (which can be handy in an emergency). A few of our favorite haunts along this trek include Monument Creek, Hermit Creek, Boucher Creek, Sapphire Canyon, and Ruby Canyon.

Warnings and Musings: The section of this trail between Boucher Creek and Bass Canyon is rugged and remote. Keep this in mind as any rescue or evacuation you may need could take a long time. The trail is also indistinct in places, so much so that you will almost certainly lose the trail at least briefly a couple times, but if you have the proper GC routefinding experience it shouldn’t be a problem. This trail can be deadly during the hot season, so plan and hike accordingly. Part of this trail falls outside the “no fly zone” and you may be treated to an annoying procession of helicopters throughout the day.

Length:

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.