The Gems
Discover the hidden gems of the Grand Canyon on a high-solitude backpacking trek along the remote western Tonto Trail.
Grand Canyon South Rim
$2,795
Hermit to South Bass on the Western Tonto Trail
Our Grand Canyon Gems experience is a one-of-a-kind guided trek from Hermits Rest to the South Bass Trailhead through what many consider the Grand Canyon’s most remote and difficult-to-reach stretches of trail. We’ll descend on Louis Boucher’s historic trail, then follow the western Tonto through Sapphire, Turquoise, and Ruby canyons. Roughly two-thirds of the way down from the South Rim, the Tonto follows the path of least resistance, so elevation changes along the traverse are modest. Rough footing, scarce water, and stretches where the trail fades keep it challenging. After days of solitude and sweeping views into the Inner Gorge, we’ll camp beside the Colorado River near Bass Rapids before climbing out on William Wallace Bass’s historic trail.
The route is steeped in canyon lore. In the 1890s, Canadian-born prospector Louis Boucher, known as the “Hermit” of the Grand Canyon, built trails into the same quiet country we’ll walk today. Our climb out follows a route William Wallace Bass adapted in the 1880s from paths Indigenous people had long traveled.
New for 2027, The Gems is the seventh trek in our Grand Canyon Limited Edition series and follows the western Tonto Trail.
What’s included
- Transportation between Flagstaff, AZ area meeting point and trailhead
- Guided trek over 7 days to Grand Canyon South Rim and Tonto Trail West
- All meals and snacks while in the backcountry
- Backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad if needed
- Personalized pack-check prior to departure
- Group gear and equipment
- Flexible cancellation policy
- Inspiration for a lifetime
What’s not included
- Meals in the front-country
- Lodging in the front-country, pre- or post-trek
How it works
A $500 deposit per person is required with balance due 60 days prior to the event. Typical group size of 7, including one guide. Maximum group size of 11, including two guides. Trek dates may be adjusted +/- one day until permits are finalized 4 months in advance of departure (when Grand Canyon permits are issued). An additional 5% charge will be applied when your reservation is made to offset new fees mandated by the National Park Service. Private, family and modified itinerary trips available through TSX Pods. Book with confidence! Review our flexible cancellation policy.
Itinerary
Between Hermit and South Bass, the Tonto Trail winds through seldom-visited side canyons with sweeping views of the Colorado River’s Inner Gorge. Steep rim trails and the remote South Bass trailhead make access challenging. West of Boucher Creek, shade is scarce and the trail sometimes fades. November through April offers cooler hiking and better odds of finding water, though dry pools can mean long water carries. The payoff is days of solitude deep inside the Grand Canyon.
Please note mileage is not indicative of difficulty! Individual experience levels, group size, weather considerations, as well as permit allowances, will determine which direction we hike (east to west or west to east) as the trek approaches. While the exact distance, camp locations, and direction of each trek may vary, here is a representative itinerary.
Day 1 – Hermits Rest to Yuma Point (~5 miles)
On the morning of your trek start date, we’ll convene in the lobby of the Little America Hotel, Flagstaff. We’ll load gear and water and begin the adventure to our South Rim trailhead. Our hike descends the historic Hermit Trail, ultimately turning west after a mile and a half onto Canadian-born prospector Louis Boucher’s trail. We will pass one of his seasonal residences at Dripping Springs and continue on to a beautiful site on the Esplanade at Yuma Point.
Day 2 – Yuma Point to Slate Canyon (~9 miles)
After breakfast and coffee with a view, we’ll continue west towards Louis Boucher’s other residence at Boucher Creek. We will have some steep and challenging sandstone and limestone descents to negotiate along the way. We will gather water near the ruins of Boucher’s cabin and continue on to Slate Canyon.
Day 3 – Slate Canyon to Turquoise Canyon (~9 miles)
Continuing west with the river, this will be our first full day on the Tonto. Few trails offer the same level of canyon immersion. Surrounded by views on all sides, we’ll pass by the arms of Scorpion Ridge on the other side of the river as we make our way into Turquoise.
Day 4 – Turquoise Canyon to Serpentine Canyon (~11 miles)
From the mouth of Turquoise the river turns north, so we’ll follow it north, weaving in and out of side canyons on our walk to Serpentine. This is a full day with high solitude, and among the most challenging due to its duration, length and terrain.
Day 5 – Serpentine Canyon to Bass Rapids (~6 miles)
Today we’ll finally enter Bass Canyon. William Wallace Bass was an early Grand Canyon pioneer who constructed 50 miles of trails and 150 miles of roads, including cisterns and a ferry across the river. We’ll use his old trail to reach our only riverside camp of the trip.
Day 6 – Bass Rapids to Darwin Plateau (~5 miles)
After a leisurely morning, we’ll make our way up to the sweeping views of the Esplanade sandstone. This last night’s campsite likely has some of the best views of the trip, and also offers the opportunity for a short exit in the morning.
Day 7 – Darwin Plateau to South Bass Trailhead (~2.5 miles)
We’ll savor these last miles in Bass Canyon as we make our way back to the rim. The adventure isn’t over until we negotiate some rough forest roads on the way back to pavement and a celebratory meal.
Logistics
Trek date confirmation
We apply for Grand Canyon permits through a lottery system on the 1st of the month, four months in advance of our planned trek date. Permits are typically issued within two weeks of submission. You’ll receive an email from us as soon as the dates for your trek are confirmed. Once confirmed, you can start making plans for transportation and pre-trek/post-trek accommodations.
Pre and post trek accommodations
Secure a lodging reservation in Flagstaff, AZ as soon as your trek dates are confirmed. You can request a TSX “corporate rate” at Little America Hotel (flagstaff.littleamerica.com / 800.865.1401) in Flagstaff. We will be hosting our pre-trek orientation at the hotel and will depart from the hotel on the morning of our hike. The nearby hotels on Lucky Lane are also a popular option and within walking distance. If you plan on staying somewhere else, that is ok with us! Let us know where you end up and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Transportation
If traveling by air, Flagstaff is the preferred airport. There is a free hotel shuttle to Little America Hotel from the Flagstaff airport. If flying into Phoenix, consider taking a shuttle or bus to Flagstaff, or renting a car. Reserve your shuttle spot in advance with Groome Transportation (groometransportation.com or 928.350.8466), or book your Greyhound Bus seat from Phoenix to Flagstaff in advance. You may also be able arrange customized shuttle service with Uber or Lyft.
Arrival time
When scheduling flights or planning your drive, please allow enough time to arrive no later than 7pm the evening before your trek begins so that you can attend the pre-trek orientation (typically scheduled between 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Little America Hotel, Flagstaff lobby).
Departure time
We plan on exiting the trail between 12pm and 2pm on the last day of the trek. However, the last day is always uphill, and there can be some variability based on individual fitness and preparedness. Please plan your return transportation accordingly. If flying out of Flagstaff on the same day, we suggest scheduling flights for departure no earlier than 4:50pm. Staying one additional night on the South Rim or in Flagstaff, and departing the following day is also popular option.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Don’t own a backpack, tent or sleeping bag? We provide all major gear for those who request it at no additional charge. We also take care of all group items like stoves, food, water filters, first aid and more. Your guides will do the cooking and dishes. Just show up with your personal items ready to hike!
Related treks
-
6 days | 48 Miles | July
View trek dates
Select Date Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
7 days | 50 Miles | MAR, OCT
View trek dates
Select Date Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
5 days | 26 Miles | MAR, APR, MAY, SEPT, OCT, NOV
View trek dates
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
4 days | 19 Miles | July, Aug, Sept
View trek dates
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.