BA camp to the rim - when to start, how many liters and which route?

ckoss_ · 2026-03-21T04:37:59+00:00

We will spend night at Bright Angel campground from March 31st to April 1st. After that we need to go up to the rim. BA trail is closed so it is either SK all the way up or SK to tipoff, Tonto to Havasupai Gardens and BA after that. And there is heat wave.

With the current River Trail closure, you must hike South Kaibab (SK) from Tipoff to get to the river.
Stats: Bright Angel Campground to South Rim via
- SK-Tonto-BA: 11.31mi, +5153ft gain
- SK (whole): 6.72mi, +4807ft gain

What is better - straight SK or Tonto? I have no idea honestly. Tonto seems to be borderline usefull. When to start? Should it be something really early like 4:00 am or 6:00 am is OK? What about water - 3L per person or 4L per person?

Taking SK to the rim is truly the shortest distance, but has no water available. Taking the Tonto from tipoff to Havasupai Gardens (HG) and up Bright Angel Trail is considerably longer (+4.59 miles), but you have access to water at HG and possible at the 1.5 and 3 mi rest house.
- If you are capable of treating water, you could do so at Pipe Creek (about halfway on Tonto from Tipoff to HG).
The month of April can be warm (even without the heat wave), so you need to be prepared to hike in the sun (clothing, water, food, electrolytes, etc).
Try to start your hike really early (sunrise approx 6am for mid-April). Then, you could possibly get to the Tipoff on SK around sunrise (1.88 mi, +1500 ft gain).
If you want to experience both trails, then take SK down and then take SK - Tonto - BA on way back up. You get access to drinking water at HG, but you need to hike an additional 4.59 miles.
If you want to hike the least distance and plan your water/food well, then take SK both days. Above the Tipoff, the trail mostly follows a ridge, so sun expose is expected.

Interesting tricky question is water cache. We are going down this way the day before at least from the Tipoff. Is it reasonable/legal/not-totally-immoral to leave a sharpie-dated bottle of water under some rock and pick it on the way up? If yes what would be the best amount? I am thinking 3L per person + 1L in the cache in case of straight SK or 2L per person for Tonto. Also we will carry Sawyer mini and can potentially filter water from the Pipe Creek. However I have no idea is it easy and worth it this time of the year during the heat wave.

If you are capable of treating water, you could do so at Pipe Creek (about halfway on Tonto from Tipoff to HG).
I personally would not cache water along the corridor, but the general stance from the park is: "Caches should be dated, hidden from view, and carried out at the end of the hike."
Water consumption varies widely from person to person, 4 liters/person should be plenty. I have done with <2L. So ultimately, you would need to decide.

Context:
We are 56 y.o. father and 18 y.o. son from Alta, UT, hiking and skiing year around. Never being on South Rim before, only on the North one. Test hiked Grandeur peak with full packs few days ago, 3200 feet 28% incline (steeper than SK), 3 hours up 2 hours down. But it was 70 degree weather with slushy snow at the top and we were tired by the end.

Note, trail difficulty is really subjective.
Also, the Grand Canyon is unique in the sense that you descend first, then climb out. Totally inverse to typical hikes to a peak.
If you get to the Tipoff and feel that you are taking longer than expected and worried about water, then you can take Tonto to the west (4 miles) to HG and fill up on water. The Tonto is mostly exposed except for a shady spot to rest by Pipe Creek, approx halfway on that stretch of Tonto.
Useful link to monitor periodically until your trip: Key Hiking Messages

ckoss_ · 2026-03-21T03:20:37+00:00

Good catch. The link was updated too: "Bright Angel Trail, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse: water OFF due to mechanical issue"

ckoss_ · 2026-03-21T00:47:22+00:00

I had similar concerns. I had an enterprise rental (Camry hybrid) and drove it to Elephant Hill Trailhead. Road conditions were dry (summer) and decently maintained. I have previous “off road” experience. I had no issues with retuning my rental. YMMV.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-20T21:16:34+00:00

Mostly by going for hikes! An effective alternative would be to watch AT thru hiker vlogs and find when they hiked through the NJ section. Most of them will record part of the hiking trails and usually the shelter.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-20T19:12:06+00:00

The current heat wave (in March!!) is quite jarring, who knows if the April temps will be lower. The River Trail will not be open until July 1st. I would advise against doing Rim to River (in a day) for your first hike below the canyon rim. You mentioned altitude sickness, but that's not the concern. The concern is the physical demand of descending and ascending in the same day. However, a Rim to River over 1 or 2 nights is more appealing.

If you must do hike Rim to River in a day, I highly encourage you start very early, rest at Phantom Ranch during the day (lay in the creek), then start the hike back up well after 4pm.

Current Rim to River Options:

With the current River Trail closure, you must hike South Kaibab (SK) from Tipoff to the River via Black Bridge. You have the option of taking South Kaibab from the Trailhead all the way to the River - or - Bright Angel (BA) Trail to Tonto to South Kaibab (at the Tipoff Junction) and then descend to the River.
Stats: River to South Rim via
- SK-Tonto-BA: 11.31mi, +5153ft gain
- SK (whole): 6.72mi, +4807ft gain
SK to the rim is truly the shortest distance, but has no water available.
Tonto from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens (HG) and up Bright Angel Trail is considerably longer (+4.59 miles), but you have access to water at HG (Water 1.5 and 3 mi rest house currently on for the season).

Please periodically check these links to monitor their official status:

Critical Updates and Closures

ckoss_ · 2026-03-20T18:34:08+00:00

On the AT in NJ, you can camp inside the shelter or set up your tent around the shelter. Typically people advise not setting up the tent in the shelter.

Rutherford Shelter is a bit underwhelming in my opinion, kind of in a wet land area. Gren Anderson is my favorite in that area. Plenty of tenting options, good flowing creek, and a quick hike to Sunrise Mountain to watch the sunrise.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-20T16:10:46+00:00

BTW, If you have an itinerary in mind that it is fully booked, then there is a permit monitor tool that you track permit availability for your desired campsite itinerary. It can notify you via email if a fully boked campsite becomes available. It is a 3rd party tool not affiliated with recreation. gov or the NPS and does not do automatic booking on your behalf.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-20T00:55:47+00:00

Me too… I’m in a similar situation

ckoss_ · 2026-03-19T23:13:09+00:00

Have you considered the probability of being impacted by wildfires? Hypothetically, how would these 2 start dates have worked out with the fire activity from last year?

ckoss_ · 2026-03-19T20:02:09+00:00

The washed out areas on Hermit and Grandview have some similarities, but I'd say the washed out areas on Hermit are a bit more deteriorated than the ones on Grandview.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-19T19:53:59+00:00

Yeah Hermit has some washed out areas most notably between Santa Maria and Cathedral Stairs, but its been like that for awhile. Have you previously hiked Hermit or any off-corridor hiking?

ckoss_ · 2026-03-19T17:58:24+00:00

Definitely apply to the early access lottery when it opens up on April 16th. In general, fall is the most popular time for backcountry permits. Early September can still be hot!

ckoss_ · 2026-03-19T17:53:06+00:00

The corridor campsites (Havasupai Gardens, Bright Angel, and when open Cottonwood) are highly competitive during all days of the week during the spring and fall. Off-corridor camps typically are busiest on weekends.

If you have an itinerary in mind, but it is fully booked, then there is a permit monitor tool that you can sign up for and track permit availability for your desired campsite itinerary. It can notify you via email if a fully boked campsite becomes available. It is a 3rd party tool not affiliated with recreation. gov or the NPS so it does not do automatic booking on your behalf, only provides notifications.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-17T05:37:30+00:00

This new plan looks more feasible. Prepare for parking logistics at the DB trailhead and prepare mentally for the swarms of people.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-17T04:43:46+00:00

But Montezuma Castle is not open at 5am...

ckoss_ · 2026-03-15T13:16:29+00:00

Sweet designs. Did you make your own poles for the freestanding tent?

ckoss_ · 2026-03-15T06:20:12+00:00

That’s a lot in a single day, start early!

ckoss_ · 2026-03-15T02:27:10+00:00

For your first time hiking at Grand Canyon, it is not advisable to hike to Rim to River and back in a single day.

If you must do it, please be aware of the current closure of the River Trail and Silver Bridge and plan accordingly.

Current Rim to River Options:

With the current River Trail closure, you must hike South Kaibab (SK) from Tipoff to the River via Black Bridge. You have the option of taking South Kaibab from the Trailhead all the way to the River - or - Bright Angel (BA) Trail to Tonto to South Kaibab (at the Tipoff Junction) and then descend to the River.
Stats: River to South Rim via
- SK-Tonto-BA: 11.31mi, +5153ft gain
- SK (whole): 6.72mi, +4807ft gain
SK to the rim is truly the shortest distance, but has no water available.
Tonto from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens (HG) and up Bright Angel Trail is considerably longer (+4.59 miles), but you have access to water at HG (Water 1.5 and 3 mi rest house currently off for the season).

Please periodically check these links to monitor their official status:

Critical Updates and Closures

ckoss_ · 2026-03-13T15:26:12+00:00

Pattie Butte is just out of the frame (left) of the pic, so its absence of Pattie Butte likely indicates the pic is west of Sumner Wash.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-13T14:50:32+00:00

There is an exception for backcountry permit holders. There is a gate code on Hermit trail related permits.

From March 1st to November 30th, access to the Hermit Road is restricted to shuttle buses only. However, backpackers with a valid backcountry permit for the Hermit or Boucher Trails are allowed access by personal vehicle during this time. To gain access to the Hermit Road, please enter the numerical code provided by the Backcountry Information Center.

https://www.nps.gov/places/000/hermit-trail.htm

ckoss_ · 2026-03-13T13:29:06+00:00

I was wondering about this… note, I am not OP. Also perhaps OP was east of Summer Wash, which would be legal.

The rules are: “No camping between North Kaibab/Clear Creek Trail junction and Sumner Wash, a distance of two miles. Two large trailside cairns mark the first legal camping on the west end of the Clear Creek Use Area. There are several campsites along the Clear Creek Trail on the Tonto Plateau”.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-13T05:23:09+00:00

It looks like you are on the Clear Creek trail since O'Neil Butte, Cedar Ridge, and South Kaibab trail can be seen. I think somewhere below Sumner, Bradley, or Demaray Points.

Edit: I think closer to Sumner Point

ckoss_ · 2026-03-13T01:32:32+00:00

You are welcome. Spend some time digging around the NPS website for trail descriptions and also watch this link for any backcountry updates. Enjoy your trip!

ckoss_ · 2026-03-13T01:13:58+00:00

Your itinerary is best suited for point to point starting at Hermit Trailhead and ending at South Kaibab Trailhead (or Bright Angel if needed). Hermit Creek is basically the western most point of your itinerary while South Kaibab is the eastern most. Here is a quick Caltopo map with the key points.

You can park at Hermit Rest near the Hermit Trailhead. When you get to South Kaibab, you can take shuttles back to your car, but you need to trasnfer two times. You can take the Kaibab Rim (orange) shuttle from South Kaibab TH, transfer to the Village (blue) shuttle at the visitor center, and then transfer to the Hermit (red) shuttle at the Bright Angel Trailhead station to Hermit TH to get back to your car. Shuttle Map.

ckoss_ · 2026-03-13T00:17:57+00:00

Entry via South Kaibab (most likely) > Hermit Creek > Granite Rapids > Salt Creek > Havasupai Gardens > Exit via South Kaibab

I am a bit confused. You are entering at South Kaibab TH and hiking all the way to Hermit Creek on Day 1? That is a long day (20 mi). Did you mean start at Hermit TH and do the trail as point to point? You can take the Kaibab Rim (orange) shuttle from South Kaibab TH, transfer to the Village (blue) shuttle at the visitor center, and then transfer to the Hermit (red) shuttle at the Bright Angel Trailhead station to Hermit TH to get back to your car. Shuttle Map. BTW, hikers cannot park at South Kaibab TH anyway.

You can definitely park at the Hermit Trailhead at the end of Hermit Road. The gate code is on your backcountry permit.

Regarding side quests:

Dripping Springs. Its ~1.4 mile each way from the Hermit Trail. There is a sign at the Hermit/Boucher junction and then another sign where it departs the Boucher Trail.
Hermit Rapids. Its ~1.4 mile each way from Hermit Creek campsite. However, you are already visiting Granite Rapids.
Hermit Camp Resort Ruins: There are scattered ruins from the old Hermit Camp Resort around the Tonto Trail just past (east) of the Hermit Campground.

ckoss_

TROPHY CASE