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      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

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      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

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      A Journey to Dripping Springs

      October 9, 2018

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      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

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      Campsites of Northen Arizona – Prescott Pines…

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      May 26, 2018

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      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

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      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

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      June 20, 2018

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      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

      Story & Song

      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

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      September 4, 2018

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    Backpacking the Boucher Trail

    written by Samantha Axford

    According to the National Park Service’s trail description, the Boucher Trail is one of the most difficult on the South Rim, with “knee-destroying descents” and areas of “exposed hand and toe climbing”. Despite this, I opted to join my friends and embark on my first ever backpacking trip.

    “The Boucher Trail was the creation of Louis D. Boucher, the “hermit” of the Hermit Creek basin. Boucher maintained seasonal residences at Dripping Spring and near Boucher Creek and lived in the area for 20 years. Labeled a hermit because he lived alone, Boucher was in fact well known and socially active within the South Rim community during the latter part of the 19th century.” – From the National Park Service trail description, which you can read in full here.

    The route that we took began at the Hermit Trailhead, and connected with the start of the Boucher Trail shortly after Dripping Springs. The total route to the river this way is 10.8 miles.  We began our hike at night, making it just over five miles to camp at Yuma Point. The wind was intense, and the trail is very exposed. A bat flew overhead. We could see the lights of shuttle buses off in the distance, carrying park guests along Hermit Road. We set up our campsite in the dark, feeling relieved to have finally made it, and excited for the next leg of our journey to come.

    I had a rough time sleeping, having found the hike thus far frightening and challenging, and not yet being used to camping.  But upon awaking to see our campsite in the morning light, and noting that it was the most beautiful place I had been in my life, I felt renewed and ready to see more.

    Day two was a hike the rest of the way to the Colorado River, and back up to camp by nightfall. We put our hands on the basement layer of rock, the Vishnu Schist, and appreciated its age. We walked along Boucher Creek, which seemed to take forever to meet the river. We saw a group of people on rafts, cheering them on as they entered Boucher Rapids. We dipped our toes in the river, so cold that we could only do so for a moment at a time. Soon, a storm began to roll in, so we made our way back to camp.

    It rained all night, depriving us of sleep, and causing us to wake with a substantial pool of water under our tent. It had seemed that it would rain forever, but when we finally gathered the courage to go outside, the sky began to clear. Clouds had formed just below us and floated upwards all around us. We sat in this surreal landscape, drinking our instant coffee and taking the experience in, before packing up and making our way back up out of the canyon.

    The last mile or so was so much more challenging than I could have imagined, so unaccustomed to carrying an extra thirty pounds on my back. Our pace was slow. The thrill of topping out was unmatched by any hike I’ve done before or since.

    No weekend in my life has ever been so full of genuine fear, laughter, awe, physical challenge, and love for my friends. As the trail description puts it, “The canyon always seems to compensate physical effort with spiritual rewards”, and I’d have to agree. I highly recommend it.

    Backpacking the Boucher Trail was last modified: August 9th, 2019 by Samantha Axford
    August 9, 2019 0 comment
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  • Entertainment & ToursEvents & CelebrationsHikingOutdoor ActivitiesUncategorized

    Mesa Verde National Park

    by John Begay December 9, 2017

    Mesa Verde National Park is a special place in Colorado that holds more than 4,000 archaeological sites including cliff dwellings, pithouses, pueblos,  masonry towers, and farming structures. The Ancestral Puebloan people built…

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    The Wave

    by John Begay December 9, 2017

    As a person who studied geology in college, I instantly geek out when I come in contact with cool rocks and rock formations. Living in Northern Arizona basically means I do almost everyday. I’m immediately figuring…

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  • Geology & HistoryStory & SongUncategorized

    The Grand Canyon Pink Rattlesnake

    by Ali Beam November 14, 2017

    The Southwest is full of rattlesnakes, and many of us fear them for their venomous bite. Many Grand Canyon visitors ask about their presence amongst hikers. Believe it or not, the Grand…

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  • FeaturedGeology & HistoryHikingOtherOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & ItinerariesUncategorized

    Hiking Arizona’s Highest Mountain, Humphrey’s Summit

    by John Begay October 2, 2017

    The San Francisco Peaks rise like an island in the desert as you approach Flagstaff, Arizona. The small range is in fact the remnant of a dormant volcano,  and home to trails that…

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  • FeaturedRoutes & ItinerariesUncategorized

    Five Best Things to Do at Grand Canyon

    by Sarah Neal September 29, 2017

    The first time I saw Grand Canyon was when I was 21 on a visit from Canada. I walked to the edge with a thousand tourists. Gasped at what I saw. Let…

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    Paria Canyon: Secret slot canyon of southern Utah

    by Katie Loffredo June 8, 2017

    WARNING BEFORE YOU READ THIS OR VISIT THIS SITE: Traversing canyons during the rainy season can be deadly. Flash floods occur with little to no warning. Check the weather in areas 200…

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  • FeaturedHikingOtherUncategorized

    Quiet Corners: Grandview trail to Cave of the Domes

    by Katie Loffredo May 19, 2017

     Upon arriving, most visitors will dip their toe into the canyon on the ever popular and heavily trafficked Bright Angel trail.  Further away from the village area though, on another likewise historic…

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  • FeaturedHikingUncategorized

    Hermit Trail to Granite Rapids

    by Emily Young May 17, 2017

    Hiking down to the Colorado River is one of the most rewarding things to do at the Grand Canyon; after all, the river is the whole reason for the Canyon’s existence.  Seeing…

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  • FeaturedHikingOutdoor ActivitiesUncategorized

    Sterling Pass Trail

    by Chuck Beaman May 11, 2017

    The Sterling Pass Trail starts in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon just north of Sedona. This out-and-back trail offers a plethora of amazing views without the exertion of a Grand Canyon…

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Recent Posts

  • Backpacking the Boucher Trail

    August 9, 2019
  • A Journey to Dripping Springs

    October 9, 2018
  • Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

    September 26, 2018
  • Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

    September 26, 2018
  • Bright Angel Trail Pictographs

    September 26, 2018

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This Website is Owned and Operated by Bright Angel Bicycles & Cafe | To contact the moderators, please contact BAB directly at www.bikegrandcanyon.com | Please note that you will visit the places mentioned in this blog, or you participate in activities described, that you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK! You should always consider nature a formidable force, and take all measures of safety necessary for safe travel and also mindfully conserve the wilderness that you are visiting for future visitors.


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