Hermit Canyon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hermit Canyon
Hermit Canyon (Pima Point-(bottom-left), (forested)-Eremita Mesa-(center))
Hermit_Canyon Location in Arizona
Floor elevation	4,928 ft (1,502 m)
Length	~6.0 mi southwest-northeast
Width	~4.0 mi
Geography
Location	(west)-Grand Canyon, (northern)-Arizona, United States
Borders on	Eremita Mesa, South Rim (Pima Point)
Topo map	Grand Canyon, USGS
Rivers	Hermit Creek

Hermit Canyon is a cool canyon located in the western part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. It stretches for about 6 miles (10 km) and is found below the South Rim. This canyon gets its name from a famous person named Louis D. Boucher. He was known as "the Hermit" because he built a camp called Hermit Camp right by the Colorado River at the end of the canyon.

On the east side of Hermit Canyon, you'll find Pima Point, which is part of the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Pima Point is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of Grand Canyon Village. It's also where the West Rim Road ends, marking the start of the western Grand Canyon area.

Hermit Canyon is home to the Hermit Basin at its southern end. This area includes Dripping Springs, which has its own trail. The famous Hermit Trail goes all the way down the east side of Hermit Canyon to the Colorado River. There, it meets the Tonto Trail near a place called Cope Butte. At the very end of Hermit Creek and the canyon, you'll find the exciting Hermit Rapids in the Colorado River. The historic Hermit Camp was located right at the end of the Hermit Trail, close to the river.

The Hermit Basin and Its Water Sources

Hermit Basin, postcard (c 1908)

The Hermit Basin is located at the southern start of Hermit Canyon. It collects water from the South Rim, especially from a spot called Horsethief Tank. The southwest part of Hermit Canyon gets its water from Eremita Mesa and Dripping Springs.

The Dripping Springs Trail is a short path, about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. It branches off from the Hermit Trail. This trail is important because it leads to historic camping spots and a reliable source of water at Dripping Springs.

Close to Dripping Springs, at the base of Eremita Mesa, another historic path begins. This is the Boucher Trail. It travels west through Upper Travertine Canyon, then goes over to Lower Boucher Canyon, eventually reaching the Tonto Trail near the Colorado River.

Exploring Hermit Canyon: Five Famous Trails

(Upper)-Hermit Canyon, Hermit Basin, Waldron Trail to Horsethief Tank, on South Rim.

There are several amazing trails that let you explore Hermit Canyon.

The main Hermit Trail starts near the Hermits Rest area at Pima Point on the South Rim. This trail is about 8.9 miles (14.3 km) long. It goes down into the Hermit Basin, then along the east side of Hermit Canyon. It passes by Cathedral Stairs and goes down to the base of Cope Butte. Finally, it meets the Tonto Trail at the end of Hermit Canyon, near Hermit Creek and the Colorado River.

Three other trails also begin in the upper part of Hermit Canyon:

• The Dripping Springs Trail is a short path, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. It leads to Dripping Springs, which was a historic camping spot and a source of water.
• Near the start of the Dripping Springs Trail, you'll find the longer Boucher Trail. This trail goes below the cliffs of Eremita Mesa. It crosses a saddle below Yuma Point, then goes west across Upper Travertine Canyon. It continues over another saddle to the nearby Lower Boucher Canyon, eventually reaching the Tonto Trail next to the Colorado River.
• The final trail starts about 1 mile (1.6 km) down the South Rim cliffs from the Hermit Trail. This path, called the Waldron Trail, goes south and climbs up into the Hermit Basin. It then rises to Horsethief Tank, which is located on the South Rim.

Ancient Footprints: Fossil Trackways

Fossil trackways, public display on Hermit Trail

If you hike on the Upper Hermit Trail, you might spot something really cool: fossil animal tracks! These ancient footprints are on display for everyone to see, showing us what creatures walked here long, long ago.

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