Overview
This adventure is a challenging multi-day backpacking
trip that gives us a glimpse of what the vast expanse of the Grand Canyon is
all about. Endless vistas, gorgeous narrow canyons, slickrock expanses, towering
waterfalls, turbulent streams, solitude, and outstanding camping. The Thunder
River Trail is the most exciting and breathtaking adventure in the Grand
Canyon. A trip is so short a time to absorb the sheer magnitude of it, but the
experience and thrill of the trip are worth a lifetime! Backpackers would be
rewarded with amazing panoramas of the canyon, the Esplanade’s mushroom rocks,
the rumbling waterfalls, the personal fulfillment of seeing the Colorado River
up close, and the rockslides that are so immense it changes the course of the
river. The scenery just gets better and better the further the trip goes.
Access Route
Get on the FSR 22 (Forest Service Road). The FSR 22, can be accessed from either Highway 67 a couple of miles north of the North Rim
entrance station or from Highway 89A a couple of miles east of Fredonia. From FSR 22, get to the junction of FSR 425. To get to the Bill Hall trail at Monument
Point, take FSR 425 to FSR 292 then to FSR 292A. For the Indian Hollow trailhead, take
FSR 425 to FSR 232. Be reminded that Winter and Spring months access is
unreliable. Prior to leaving home, get a North Kaibab National Forest Road map
at Kaibab National
Forest Service.
The Trip
There are two options in getting to the trailhead of the Thunder
River. One, is from Indian hollow that starts directly down the Thunder River
trail. This section of the trail was originally intended for stock animals hence
it is more gradual in grade. Two, is to start on the Bill Hall Trail at
Monument Point. This section is steep and tougher, but it trims offs 2.5 miles,
so many backpackers choose this route.
A backpacking trip from the North rim to the Colorado
River would take hikers to spectacular sceneries of the canyon. Go past ancient
fossil remains, roaring flowing waterfalls, and steep rocky trails. The breathtaking
contours of the canyon wall would lead hikers to an amazing campsite
overlooking the inner canyon. These spectacular formations are billions of years
of geological history.
Take an opportunity to explore one of the most remote and
pristine parts of the region and cool off in its sparkling pools in the magical
Thunder River area. Discover more of the trail further by hiking to Deer Creek,
considered to be the most beautiful spot in the canyon. Experienced hikers
would reveal the physical demands of this trip, exhausted but exhilarated.
3 Thunder River Backpacking Trips
A backpacker’s dream is to spend a night below the rim on a backpacking
trip at Deer Creek or Tapeats Creek. This is the best trail for
backpacking in the entire Grand Canyon. And getting to spend multiple days
soaking in the magic of the canyon is an experience you will never forget in a
lifetime.
Listed below are the best backpacking locations along the
Thunder River trail.
|
Route |
Miles |
Difficulty |
Campgrounds |
|
|
Tapeats Creek |
22.8 mi |
Strenuous |
Use Area
AY9 |
|
|
Deer Creek |
19 mi |
Strenuous |
Use Area AY9 |
|
|
Tapeats Creek/ Deer Creek Loop |
21.5 mi |
Strenuous |
Use Area AY9 |
1. The Tapeats Creek Trail
Begin at either the Indian Hollow trailhead or skip the
first 2.5 miles and begin at the steeper Bill Hall trail at Monument Point. Each takes you to the Thunder River trail. After the junction of the Bill Hall and
Thunder River trails, hike 2 more miles to the Esplanade. Here, you can camp
for the night, sleeping beneath the stars, and amongst the mushroom-shaped
boulders.
The next morning, you will make your way to Redwalls and at
this point, you can look down into the guts of what’s yet to come. Descend to
Surprise Valley and follow the cairns for Bonita Creek– which has dried up. It
is infamously hot in Surprise Canyon, so try to hike this in the early morning.
Look for a large cairn that marks a fork in the trail and take the trail east to
Thunder River and Tapeats Creek. This will lead you to Thunder River, where you
can swim, filter water, etc. When ready to leave Thunder River, the trail will
weave along Tapeats Creek to a designated campsite at the Colorado River. On the third morning, wake early, and begin your uphill hike back to the trailhead. Camp
at either Surprise Valley or back at the Esplanade if you need one more night
in the canyon.
2. Deer Creek (3 Days)
Again, begin at either trailhead; both will take you to the
Thunder River trail. It is 4.5 steeply descended miles to the Esplanade, which
is a great spot to camp the first night. Wake early the second morning, as you
will be hiking through the infamously hot Surprise Valley. Be alert for a large
cairn that marks the junction for the Deer Creek trail. The trail to Deer Creek
is rocky, loose, and exposed as you hike around to the arm of the creek. Deer
Spring provides a lovely break, and you can rejoice that you are only 20
minutes from camp.
Leave your pack at camp, and head downstream, through “The
Patio” to the Narrows. Carved through the tough Tapeats Sandstone, the Narrows
are truly mesmerizing and lead to the Colorado River and the most impressive
waterfall in the canyon. Spend as much time in this enchanting place as you can
before heading back to camp for the night. The last morning, wake early and try
to beat the heat as you make your way back up to the trailhead.
3. Tapeats Creek/ Deer Creek Loop (4 Days)
To truly experience it all on the Thunder River trail, you
can combine Tapeats Creek and Deer Creek. Read the above description for how to
get to Tapeats Creek. On the third morning, follow the path that traverses the
Colorado River north to Deer Creek. The trail goes up and down, from beach to
cliff, and after 3 strenuous miles, you will reach Deer Creek. Let yourself be
engulfed in the majesty and wonder of the creek, the narrows, and the waterfall
here. Camp at the designated campsite under the Cottonwood trees. On the fourth
morning, wake early, and start your way back to the junction at Surprise Valley
where you will take the Thunder River trail back to the trailhead.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
A. DAY HIKE PACKING LIST
- 3-6 liters of water (more
in summer)
- Salty,
calorie-rich snacks
- lunch
- backpack
- trekking
poles
- crampons
(in winter)
- wide-brimmed
hat
- sunscreen,
sunglasses
- non-cotton
t-shirt (winter)
- rain
jacket
- warm
non-cotton layer (women/men's)
- 1st-aid
kit
B. BACKPACKING PACKING LIST
- all
items listed for day hikes PLUS
- multi-day
backpack
- 3-season
tent
- sleeping
bag
- sleeping
pad
- water
filter
- backpacking stove and fuel
- backpacking
meals
- 3
pairs of wool socks
- extra
t-shirts
PLEASE RESPECT OUR NATIONAL PARKS – LEAVE NO TRACE
We strongly recommend abiding by all Leave No Trace ethics guidelines and practices so that our national parks and public lands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations and for the people and animals who call these places home. Simple things like packing out your trash, obeying national park rules, and respecting the peace and quiet of our national park trails are a great start. If you’re going on a backpacking trip, you can read about more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
If you are looking for adventure and want to be impressed by
the beauty of the Grand Canyon, this is the trail for you.
