How much water for Grand canyon rim to river

[Ben C]

I am planning Boucher-Hermit loop in the grand canyon in early October with my family. How much water do I need to carry up and down? I usually backpack SE Appalachia and hate carrying extra water. Give me advice, friends in the southwest.

[Ben C]

Buhler.…

[John S.]

Variables include

1. distance
2. how long on trail
3. ambient temperatures
4. personal physiology (conditioning, etc)

In November from south kaibab to bright angel campground (20's-30's at top, 60's at bottom), I'd carry 2 to 3 liters.

[Steve Thompson]

Are you hiking the entire Boucher, either to creek or the river in one day? To the creek is about 10 miles. Figure about 6 hours hiking. So minimum 3 liters each and if you sweat alot, more. If going only partway down, plan 5 liters each since you'll dry camp the first night.

Boucher Creek runs years round so you can refill there.

About 5 miles to Hermit Creek. Figure 3-4 hours, so minimum 2 liters.

And then 7 miles to the rim. Figure another 6 hours and 3 liters minimum.

[Ben C]

Thanks, Steven. 3 liters is not too bad at all. I am just used to eastern backpacking where I carry no water most of the time. We plan to do the Boucher/Hermit loop in 3 days with a Side trip to Monument Creek. I will make sure we all have at least 3 liters.

[Ben C]

And thanks to John too. Sounds like 3 liter capacity will be just about right. I usually carry no to little water in areas I go, so this helps a lot.

[Steve Thompson]

If you are doing the side trip to Monument as part of the day you hike from Boucher to Hermit, from Hermit Creek, one liter of water is more than enough to get you there.

Distance to Hermit Rest from Monument is just a bit more than distance from Hermit Creek, so if you go first thing in the morning on your 3rd day and hike out from there, then carry one liter over to Monument, and then tank up and carry 3 liters out from there.

[Steve Thompson]

Also on the hike out up the Hermit Trail, there is the Santa Maria spring, so maybe could get by with 2 liters to there, and then tanks with 1 liter for the final push to the rim.

I've never bothered, but it is available if you choose to use it.

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