Topic
Tonto Trail Questions
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Campfire › Member Trip Reports › Tonto Trail Questions
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Apr 18, 2011 at 9:29 am #1272445
Last week I was putting together a backcountry permit request for a trip to the Grand Canyon with my girlfriend when I stumbled across the Tonto Trail on the NPS website. Since I'm not looking to come back from Arizona a single man I decided that the 70-miles of trail are probably best reserved for a guy trip and am looking to do just that in September.
Has anyone ever thru-hiked the Tonto? My biggest questions surround logistics. While I would be more than happy to go out-and-back my job probably won't permit it, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to tackle this beast. Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 18, 2011 at 10:18 am #1726066I've hiked almost all of the Tonto in various parts. A thru-hike would be a very cool project, though the drive out to the South Bass TH is long and slow. I imagine you could find a company to do that shuttle, and I imagine it would not be cheap.
Easier logistically would be going from the Hermit or Boucher to Grandview or New Hance. Going down New Hance and up Hermit would probably be my choice, and you could easily spend a week on such a route.
Beware, the quality of the trail and ease of walking varies quite a lot. The stretch between the Bright Angel and Hermit is very nice and by Grand Canyon standards pretty easy. Other parts, such as Grapevine and Cremation canyons, are much harder than they look on paper (and descending New Hance is tough, to say nothing of going up it). Add to that variable water sources and the fact that September can still be very hot and you'd have a potentially character building trip. In a good way, of course.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.