Howdy Folks!  I've just secured permits for 10 people to join me on an incredibly difficult, yet awesomely rewarding backpack from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, all the way down the mighty Colorado River!

This backpack is about 7 1/2 miles descending 4,350' ...  and 7 1/2 miles back up, ASCENDING 4,350'!!! It is for the experienced and fit backpacker ONLY!

Here's the flowery description: "This fine trip follows a trail constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1912 and leads to pleasant Hermit Creek campsites located below the ruins of the railroad's tourist camp alongside the perennial waters of Hermit Creek. A route that follows remnants of a constructed trail leads downcanyon to the beach camp at the Colorado River next to the foaming waves of Hermit Rapids."

Thursday 4/7/11: Arrive and car camp at Mather Campground on the South Rim (sites 3, 5, 6) ... I'll provide a welcome BBQ dinner at camp......Friday 4/8/11: Arise early, break camp, drive to Hermit's Rest trailhead, hike 5-6 hours downhill all the way to the Colorado River where we'll camp right on the beach at Hermit Rapids!!  Explore, Eat, Rest.....Saturday 4/9/11: Explore and absorb the majesty of the canyon and its river!; mid-afternoon, hike about an hour to new campsite at Hermit Creek, pitch camp, explore, eat, rest......Sunday 4/10/11: arise early, break camp, hike 6.5 miles and 4,350' of elevation gain back to South Rim, make camp back at Mather sites #3, 5, 6 ... head to lodge for dinner...... Monday 4/11/11: Arise at leisure, breakfast at cafe, travel back home!

Weather: At the South Rim in April is 60's daytime and 28F at night!!  Camping at the rim will be chilly!  Camping in the inner canyon, down by the river ... 82F daytime and 54F evenings ... AWESOME!

Details:  The fee for this trip is $90 and includes backcountry permits for 11 for two nights at two campsites, and camping for 11 people at the rim the night before and the night after our backpack ... I'll provide the BBQ welcome dinner!  Registration/Waiver and payment will be required long before the trip. 

I'm initially offering this trip only on Gay Outdoors and to a few of my cool, gay hiking buddies ... However, if the trip does not fill up, I reserve the option to offer it to other buddies and buddettes from Sierra Club.

 Directions from Los Angeles:  15N, 40E, AZ-64 North to Grand Canyon!