The Most Unique Hike in the Grand Canyon

[@paulsolomon1396]

We did this in Oct 2023. You did an amazing job documenting it and I think it will be super helpful for others to visualize what they are getting themselves into. A couple things I would add for anyone doing research. There is a spring to the right (standing in front of the helipad and looking at the LCR) down a little embankment. You can filter it, it is still very brackish and won't really quench your thirst, but good to cook with so you can save the water you bring down. The water isn't always the blue/green color. If it has rained, chances are it will be running brown. If you look hard, you can see from the trailhead the color before you make your descent. You can also spend a day hiking down to the confluence (with the Colorado River) or to the Emerald Pool. Your comment about camping midway is exactly what we did and then day hiked down and back. We also started back up in the dark which was huge. Glad you did it and enjoyed it. We are heading back to do the confluence hike now that we have a little more experience on the "trail"

[@trailandtravel]

thank you! I filmed the way I did to accurately show what this hike is like. Many other videos online don't quite show the difficulty of this hike. That is great info. Im sure that could help people in a pinch. Thank you for your added experience. I think that someday I would also like to hike down to the confluence of the emerald pool. It's amazing how much better you feel about a trail even doing it once. Im glad you had a great time! Thanks of watching!

[@ricardotorres8771]

Amazing hike. Thanks for posting

[@joelee5493]

Thank you for sharing!!! I completely enjoyed this!

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you for watching!

[@ervinslens]

This was gorgeous presentation, such a unique and inspiring presentation! Area looks amazing!

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you so much! It was a beautiful hike!

[@jeffseng6385]

At the Phantom ranch I’ve seen a 20 degree difference between in and out of the sun. I love the canyon and I’ve never done your trip so thanks so much for sharing. You earned this one! 😊

[@trailandtravel]

I believe it! It gets so dang hot in the Grand Canyon! It was a beautiful trip.

[@rblnvg2478]

Awesome!!! ❤

[@trailandtravel]

It was! Such a beautiful place!

[@Dr_Cole]

The color contrast of the blue water and green bushes & grass along the shore, especially just before and after sunset, was remarkable. Watching the hike down, I was surprised at how many spots you left the camera behind to film the hike, knowing you had to go back to get it… I felt the extra effort with you! We need smart drone technology built into cameras so they can just return to you in their own!

[@trailandtravel]

It was so beautiful! Yeah filming definitely adds more effort to every hike, but I really enjoy doing it so it's worth it to me!

[@Dr_Cole]

And to us! I love getting to see how you hike it. The one scene where you were figuring out how to give over a very high passage between big rocks on a slightly smaller rock was intense.

[@trailandtravel]

Luckily I am pretty flexible and athletic so that helps my hiking significantly! This is when I thank my background in Gymnastics!

[@humptydumpty6527]

I have made this loop in May this year. The hike out was the hardest day of my life 😂

[@trailandtravel]

It is incredibly difficult! But such a cool spot!

[@seraj3158]

Admirable!

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you! It was a great hike!

[@jgcasw]

Excellent video. I did this as a day trip once, 2.5 hours down and about 3.5 back up, and I calculated the (one-way) distance as 3 miles, elevation change 2,740 feet. And I found the spring water just fine for drinking, via a filter. I also went down canyon a way, and upstream to the waterfall in Big Canyon

[@trailandtravel]

good to know about the spring water, that would have saved me a lot of weight! Sounds like an incredible day trip. Id love to go back and explore more of it one day!

[@trex6142]

Love that blue water. That was a very rough trail. Thanks for taking us along

[@trailandtravel]

The water was amazing! Thanks for watching!

[@overthehillhiker3338]

So impressed! New hike for my bucket list!

[@trailandtravel]

I was so beautiful! I had a great time!

[@Justoltj1358]

Awesome video, Erica! Truly shows how rugged and gorges this "route" is. I was looking at taking this trail for a buddy's bachelor party but based off your video, I think I might recommend we do something better established and more groomed haha. Happy trails!

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you for watching! Yes I would agree with you. I’d recommend doing another trail. This one might be a bit too dangerous for a bachelor party! 😅

[@jcogan12]

I’m gonna take a bachelor party crew to do this hike next week - challenge accepted!! 😆

[@trailandtravel]

lol please let me know how it goes!

[@lisamonalisahikes]

Wow! Beautiful! The Dessert can be brutal for those that aren’t use to it (or that haven’t plan properly)

[@trailandtravel]

I live in the desert so I definitely knew what I was getting into, and I was well prepared. Maybe a bit too much! (I had at least 2L of water that I didn’t use when I returned to the rim of canyon. It was an incredible trip! Thanks for watching!

[@ulfarosalina]

Always enjoying your hiking vlog. Stay safe out there ❤

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you! 🔥

[@eddie_alvarez]

We did this in May....not sure what was worse., going up or down. We also did an early start back up. Well worth it. Great video.

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you!Both up and down was difficult, I was so relieved to hike during the night though. It helped SO much! It's such a beautiful hike.

[@mamamel113]

Amazing video! So impressed! ❤️

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you! I’ve was incredible!

[@reneharkamp4309]

Amsterdam, calling 📞 Wauw young Lady, All my respect 🙏, you're a tough Cookie 🍪

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you! It was such a beautiful time!

[@climbnride58]

Congratulations. I am surprised that you didn't see any snakes. I actually know two people who have been where you were.

[@trailandtravel]

I’m surprised I didn’t see any snakes either! I wonder if it was just too hot for them? It’s a beautiful canyon!

[@olenmorgan6215]

I’m so dyslexic I glanced at the thumbnail and thought it said hospital trail 😅

[@trailandtravel]

😂 close, but not quite! Sorry to disappoint! Lol

[@casarezbunch8985]

@@trailandtravel hi. You are amazing. We just hiked out yesterday.

[@trailandtravel]

@@casarezbunch8985 thank you. how did it go?

[@casarezbunch8985]

Wow! This is a great video. So we just hiked out yesterday and it did not go as planned. I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind.

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you! I hope it went well, I’m sure it was blazing hot. Yes I’d love to answer any questions you have!

[@casarezbunch8985]

@@trailandtravelthank you. 🙏🏼do you have an email or FB? Can we talk? I’m really trying to see where we went wrong.

[@casarezbunch8985]

Unfortunately we never made it to the LCR

[@trailandtravel]

Awe man that’s unfortunate. You certainly chose a hot time of year to do it. I’m sure that played a big part in your experience.

[@uncannytraveler88]

This is awesome! Would love to do this sometime. Are you worried at all about mountain lions? I think that's my one misgiving about going alone down in the canyon.

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you! Honestly I've lived in the desert for so long and they are always a possibility. But in my experience they mostly keep to themselves, I've never had an issue with them.

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

When I did this trail in 2017, as we descended down, I spotted a grouping of rocks that looked like a cave. I immediately thought of mountain lion lair & sure enough inside it had bones of a carcass -- long dead, no smell -- & I was on high alert the entire time 😳😅! I have yet to encounter one personally, either up close or at a far distance & much like bears, I'm just grateful & I hope never to lol!

[@trailandtravel]

They are definitely out there! I’m lucky to have never ran into one!

[@marcocesaroni5932]

Whed did you go there? Its better in july or october? Thanks

[@trailandtravel]

I’d say October would be much better! Not as hot!

[@didrikfalinski8600]

Wich month did you hike this? And how hot was it?

[@trailandtravel]

I hiked it on June 14th. It was easily in the high 90s. For the average hiker I wouldn't recommend doing this hike in this type of heat!

[@malcolm20091000]

Amazing trip. I think this is the first video of yours I have watched, and it took me to the end to finally settle down and agree with you that you weren't out of your mind! I have hiked many GC trails, but not this one, and not in the heat of June. (I will not bore you with "exploits" like jimbeard.) And I don't mind your "b-roll" filming as it really "sets the scene" more than just holding the camera in front of you. Despite the extra work. One point - to my knowledge none of the water sources down there are potable, or maybe barely potable. I assume you started your hike with all the water you needed? I hope folks wont try this hike thinking there is copious drinking water at the bottom. Thanks for sharing your adventures! Please hike carefully!

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you! I didn't say that I wasn't crazy! 🤪 but I do have lots of experience hiking, especially in the desert. lol I knew what I was getting into, I knew the conditions and the difficulty of the trail. I brought 8L of water with me to ensure I was prepared and I ended up hiking out with about 2L still in my pack. I was being pretty conservative with water just in case. It's recommended to not drink any of the water down there as it is very mineral rich and most likely salty. I do mention this in the video, hopefully people will understand how much water to carry on this trail. Especially when doing it the hot months.

[@jimmyboy134]

Hi! I'm planning on doing this hike this weekend, i was planning on using the all trails to navigate but after your comment now I'm questioning the all trails map. Is there a separate map you used, or even a Strava link?

[@trailandtravel]

The AllTrails map is what I used to navigate. Just keep an eye on it towards the bottom, don’t go out to the lookout unless you want to, be sure to take the route that leads you down to the river. Honestly it’s pretty obvious, it’s on a section the levels out a little bit. I can also share my starve route as well if you want. You should be completely fine though!

[@trailandtravel]

strava.app.link/El4Dqt5GEMb strava.app.link/ctcyka3GEMb Both my strava hikes here

[@n0dedotorg]

The base map on Alltrails shows the "Salt Trail" and you can see where it splits off from the Alltrails route.

[@johnrdunbar]

You are so gorgeous, but I don't think I could hike in the dark. Very good video tho

[@trailandtravel]

hiking in the dark wasn't so bad, it definitely beat the heat. Thanks for watching!

[@thebluetarp]

The water actually looks a bit higher than normal. Probably why it was tough to find a camp spot

[@trailandtravel]

yeah could be, it was a pain in the butt to navigate the reed section at the bottom. I got tired of fighting them and just decided to set up near the water. I felt like I was going to get a lot of push back for doing that but I felt like it was the only option at the time!

[@mjwilds]

Howdy gal-- Great work! The comment from the jimbeard dude (and your tactful response) has been on my mind for weeks now. Young gals get heat that a solo dude filming himself wouldn't get. That guy was condescending with a side dish of creepy-old-dude-- the body comments to try and undermine you 🤢 Gross. Obviously that man loves the Big Ditch. Obviously he's dealing with his own grief for his youth in a place and time in the past. Valid feelings to explore with a professional vs dumping onto someone half a century younger than you. Keep being a lil badass in whatever ways feel right to you.

[@trailandtravel]

Thank you!! You are so kind, your support means a lot! I receive all kinds of comments, but ones like yours make such a lasting impact. I appreciate you and your kind words. Thank you for being here!

[@jimbeard8947]

Gotta say if nobody else will: very experienced hikers know not to try this in summer. Late fall, winter, and spring are best times for that. And it's cute to set your camera down, then walk away or towards it but everyone knows it takes extra time and effort just to appear like a movie. I don't think anyone expects that of a solo hiker in the Grand Canyon or anywhere, even on the moon. So, if I sound like a "cairn", oh er I mean Karen, excuse me. And yes, I've been to Little Colorado but from a river trip, 12 times, and hiked down Tanner to Beamer to LC, and hitched a ride on a commercial raft, overnite after Hance Rapid, hiked out. So kudos for doing it when hot, but geez...

[@trailandtravel]

I can hear the passion in you words, so I know you feel deeply about his. I am an experienced hiker and that is why I felt comfortable doing this hike in June. I knew what I was getting into and I knew that I was capable of it. I film many of the hikes that I do.. so I am used to setting down my camera to get a shot and going back for it. It's really not that much more effort. I truly love capturing my experience, no matter how it pans out. Ive hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim (26.1 miles) and rim to rim to rim (50 miles) before so this was honestly not that bad... Thank you for your input and for watching my "cute" video. 😅

[@jimbeard8947]

@@trailandtravel Well, I'm sorry to state that doing a R2R or R2R2R is just great but not with me. But I'm just another internet "cairn" so what do I know. When I was immersing myself in the GC, in the 70's thru late 80's less people were hiking in there and that was before so-called "bucket-lists." I would go down in there somewhere and stay for weeks sometimes, such as up in Phantom Creek and never see anyone. Never get a permit after my first few times. Or I stayed at Havasupai Campground right before spring break for NAU and I think only one or two other people came in there, so I could go down to Beaver Falls and have it to myself. Stayed until the Ranger urged me to leave because it was about to get full, so I left and immediately it snowed down there. I did one R2R with two friends but we took 3 days to do it, and it wasn't planned just spontaneous because a forest thinning job on north rim fell through so we just slimmed down our "stuff" and went for it. I zoomed into Clear Creek overnite and joined them on trek up Bright Angel to south rim. We launched on a river trip down there the day after Kenton Grua and friends started their speed run in a dory at night without a permit, and our trip's permit holder is mentioned in "Emerald Mile". That was late June so hot but we started our days early, did a short hike, then went downriver to next camp. Water was so high we zoomed thru and most rapids were covered over in water so limited scouting. Had a nasty encounter with Claire Quist who refused to share a late-day camp with us because he was basically an __________ (fill in the blank). So I know what I'm "complaining about" but use your own judgment. I'm just saying it's wiser to go in there in cooler months, especially when solo. But, yeah, nice bod woman.

[@trailandtravel]

@@jimbeard8947 Look I totally get it. You have spent a lot more time there especially when there were not many people there, and that's amazing. But I wasn't even alive then... Im simply enjoying the outdoors as much as possible in my day. and yes that is VERY different than during your day... It sounds like you had some amazing times there. And it seems silly to me that you would degrade my experience there, even though that place seems to have a special place in your heart. There is no need for disrespect here, if you don't like my content simply don't watch it.

[@jimbeard8947]

@@trailandtravel Can do.

[@trailandtravel]

@@jimbeard8947 I appreciate it.

[@eric_festinger]

💪🏻👏🏻

[@trailandtravel]

It was a tough hike, but so worth it! Thanks for watching!

[@eric_festinger]

@@trailandtravel It seems hard indeed, but for us watchers, it was superb 🤩

[@trailandtravel]

@@eric_festinger Thank you! It was amazing!

[@williamprokop]

this trail is not a trail. :)

[@trailandtravel]

Yeah. If you watch the video I explain that it’s more of a route than a trail!

[@williamprokop]

@@trailandtravel it was a great video. My friends and I did the hike last year. Pretty amazing you did it solo. My joke throughout our trip was that the Hopi Salt trail is not a trail. We were also surprised how much better it was going up than down. We expected the worse going up but cruises up no problem.

[@trailandtravel]

I felt the same way, I thought it was going to be much harder going up than down. But that wasn't the case! Its a really cool place to hike to but pretty tough going down, as you know!

[@Jamesgeeee]

I see you working. Keep showing the body and you will grow your channel quick. And start making that money. Very smart

[@trailandtravel]

Well I choose not to show much body too much on this channel because I don't want that to take away from the beautiful places I visit or the experiences I have. Filming myself in a bathing suit felt more like a side effect, rather than a priority.

[@Jamesgeeee]

Ok well unbelievable views of your locations. I traveled with my pug for a few months out there few years back. It was too difficult with her. But one day I plan on going back west. Enjoy your travels. Enjoyed all the views!!

[@trailandtravel]

That would be very difficult hiking with a pug! if you make it out this direction again, you should definitely check out this hike. Its amazing!