Dean and I leave Grand Canyon Village at 7 AM for our three night trip.  We are going down the Waldron and Hermit Trails to Hermit Creek for one night, over to Boucher Creek for two nights, and then out the Boucher Trail the next day.  This is actually a work patrol for Dean, one of the Park Rangers, with whom I’m fortunately able to tag along!  We take the pleasant drive through the forest on the old boundary road to a locked gate and park the car.  Dean tells me that years ago the Park Service used to let you drive all the way to the Waldron trailhead.  Grand Canyon National Park is closed to the public due to coronavirus concerns, so there is no one else to be seen.

We set off hiking at 7.45 AM after Dean makes a call to Park dispatch.  It is less than a mile from the parking area and locked gate until we reach the actual trailhead.

Then the trail begins a very easy walk through the forest on the rim passing a bone dry Horse Thief Tank before we begin descending.  As far as Grand Canyon hiking goes, descending the Waldron Trail is very moderate.  There is plenty of shade and the grade is not too steep.  We reach the junction with the Hermit Trail at 9 AM and stop for a break, enjoying all the pretty spring flowers.

Spring flowers	Agaves starting to form flower stalks	Beautiful Cliff Rose

We continue on the Hermit Trail past Santa Maria Spring, and descending further, we pass some Red Bud Trees in bloom. The Hermit trail is well constructed and maintained, and in my limited experience, it is one of the easiest trails down into the Canyon.
 

	Flowering Red Bud Tree
Bianca on the Hermit Trail	Sage in bloom	Dean ahead of me on the Hermit Trail
Mohave Daisy	Century Plant and magnificent views	Brittle Bush and Globe Mallow

We pass Lookout Point, Breezy Point, descend the Cathedral Stairs, and make our way down the steep section by Cope Butte.  As we reach the Tonto platform, it’s turning into a very hot day.  We stop in the shade of a large boulder not far from Hermit Creek for another break around noon.  We see some cute hummingbirds hovering around the Globe Mallows.

More flowers and views on the Tonto	A break just before Hermit Creek	Small waterfall near Hermit Creek

Dean is photographing the trail signs for work, as the Park Service is considering replacing all of them.  We stop for a few moments at the turn off to Granite Rapids to photograph the sign, and shortly after arrive at Hermit Creek.  It’s still early in the afternoon and it’s hot.  I feel very fortunate to stay here during the park closure and have the place completely to ourselves.  To be honest, it would be tricky with many people around as there is so little shade.  We set up camp under the one overhang in the campground to have lunch and rest for a while.  We spend the rest of the afternoon cooling off and relaxing by a large pool in the creek. 

Our overhang camp spot	One of the many frogs we see

Around dusk, some tiny bats start flitting by very close to us as we settle in under the overhang.  We sleep out under the stars, enjoying the interesting silhouettes of the Canyon against the night sky.

	The evening view from my sleeping pad

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