Hermit to South Bass Backpacking: Deep Canyon Exploration
One this epic, ten-day backpacking traverse of the western Tonto Trail discover hidden and lesser-known reaches of Grand Canyon. The Tonto Trail is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Grand Canyon’s natural and cultural wonders. PC: Rich Rudow
- Dates: March 23–April 1, 2025
- Difficulty: Expert
- Trip Length: 10 Days
- Cost: $1,900
- Group size: 9
Trip Highlights
- Explore side canyons above and below the Tonto formation
- Visit seeps and springs of the Monument and Hermit creeks
- See mining remnants of Boucher Creek and the Bass Trail areas
- Learn about tribal communities of the region: Hopi, Navajo, Pai and Paiute
- Explore quaternary geology of caves in Grand Canyon
- Learn about aquatic and riparian ecology, rapids and hydrology, flora and fauna, and geology of Grand Canyon
- Learn about the history of settlement, mining, and development in Grand Canyon
What's included
Price for the class includes:
Education from expert instructors
Comprehensive gear list
Food and menu planning ideas
Receive a comprehensive 60-day workout schedule from GCCFI, with mobility, strength, and cardio exercises
Expedition First Aid kits
Rat sacks
Group water filter
Satellite phone
Backcountry permits for backpacking into Grand Canyon
What's not included
You are responsible for:
Your backpacking equipment and gear
Food
Transportation to and from the canyon
Lodging in the park before or after your trip
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation 15-20% of trip cost, read this article to receive more guidance)
Walking along Tonto Trail
William Bass hauling cabin makings on burros down his trail. Just below the esplanade. Circa 1906.
Itinerary
This is an expert only class designed for people who have extensive previous backpacking experience. Please submit an inquiry with your phone number and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your previous experience.
Please note that itinerary details are subject to change. Specific trails and distances traveled may be adjusted due to weather, trail maintenance or closures, or other factors outside our control. We will communicate any adjustments to the itinerary details during orientation.
Meet your Grand Canyon experts
Christa Sadler
Christa has worked with the Field Institute since its inception in 1993. She is a geologist, educator and naturalist with a serious addiction to rivers, deserts and mountains. She has pursued research in archaeology, geology and paleontology across much of the globe, including searching for dinosaurs in Montana, fighting off dust storms and overly curious camels in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia and steering clear of annoyed marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. Christa teaches geology and guides in the canyons and on the rivers of the Southwest in the spring and fall, and escapes to Alaska in the summers. She also runs This Earth, a small business that takes geology and fossil programs to children around the country, and designs Earth science exercises, programs and field trips for students in grades K–12. Christa’s writing and photographs have appeared in Plateau Journal, Sedona Magazine and Earth Magazine, and she is the author of Life in Stone and The Colorado, as well as the editor of the anthology There’s This River … Grand Canyon Boatman Stories.
Lisa Kearsley
MSLisa Kearsley came to love the Grand Canyon while spending her childhood summers on the North Rim as her father studied Kaibab squirrels. She moved to Arizona in the 1980s to earn a master’s degree in biology at Northern Arizona University and, like many who have come to Arizona, she never left. She has worked for the National Park Service at Grand Canyon as an interpretive park ranger and as a researcher, studying the effects of Glen Canyon Dam on the river, and she wrote and published a river guide book, the San Juan River Guide. She eventually found that introducing people to the Southwest is her true calling. She now focuses on helping people experience the Grand Canyon by getting them prepared for Grand Canyon river trips and by leading hikes and backpack trips into the canyon. She also is a natural science illustrator, working with pen and ink and watercolor.
Additional notes
Recent comparable backpacking experience is a prerequisite
Age Restrictions: Participants must be 17+ years older for this backpacking program
Cancellation Policy
Please notify our office as soon as possible should you need to cancel your registration. If you cancel or leave a trip for any reason:
- 60+ days of program start date: full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee will be issued
- 59 - 45 days prior start date: 50% refund will be issued
- Less than 45 days to start date, or once trip has begun: we will retain your entire program fee with no exceptions.
Reserved spots are non-transferable to different programs. However, you may substitute members of your party, specific to the trip date with GCCFI approval, with no penalty, up to 30 days prior to departure date.
GCCFI reserves the right to cancel all, or a portion, of a trip for circumstance beyond our control. Circumstances might include, but are not limited to—public land closures, road closures, weather events, fires, or other natural events. Refunds are not offered in these situations. A full trip credit will be issued, minus any non-refundable expenses occurred by GCCFI if the program is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. GCCFI staff will work to change itinerary to another trail or move hiking locations to a safer area.
We reserve the right to cancel any trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically feasible for us to operate. In this event, we will give a full refund of the trip price.
GCCFI is not responsible for: air tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear, medical expenses, clothing, and any expenses occurred while preparing for this trip.
We HIGHLY encourage the purchase of trip insurance to help offset any costs incurred if cancellation occurs
Testimonials
The Zelkovic Family
“Our day with the Field Institute exceeded all our expectations and we came away with a great respect for the canyon and for the work of the Conservancy. It was such a wonderful experience from beginning to end and hope we can return in the not so distant future to participate in one of your multi-day programs.”
The Jankowskis
“Our family’s experience was nothing short of amazing! Slim (our guide) provided a perspective we would have never been able to get on our own and we learned so much. Her passion for the canyon and what she does came through too, which made our time something we’ll never forget!”
Amy Waits
“The guides were awesome – so educational and patient!!! Encouraging & helpful in every way. Such an amazing first visit to the canyon – Life changing to have experienced the GC up close & personal… Thank you so much!”
Joe Sweeney
“I've brought many school groups to the Field Institute and the quality of instruction provides them with an understanding of Indigenous cultures, diverse ecology, and geologic history. Students leave with a stronger sense of self-confidence, an intimate connection to nature, and memories that will last a lifetime.”
Andy M.
“Top to bottom, the Field Institute exceeded all of my expectations .... they ensured we packed wisely for our trip and saved me from lugging around 5 lbs. of junk I didn't need. Overall, it's packed with value that I don't think commercial outfitters would provide and delivered a deeply rich experience.”