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Bill Hall/Thunder River Trail- Grand Canyon
Starting at the trailhead on the north rim, the trail heads west from the parking lot at a slight uphill. It follows the rim of the canyon up through some scrubby trees for not quite a mile before dropping down into the canyon at Monument Point. Once the initial downhill starts it’s a steep one. It seems even steeper coming out of the canyon when this part is at the end of your hike. The trail circles around the southern edge of the formation. Once you get to the western side, the trail evens out a bit and follows several switchbacks down to the Esplanade. At one point you’ll encounter a drop of about ten feet which you will have to down climb. If you are hiking with others, have one person climb down then hand your backpacks down. If you are solo, lower your pack with a rope. A fall here with a pack on could end your trip reeal fast. The Esplanade is a large sandstone bench. As you reach the Esplanade, the Bill Hall Trail joins the Thunder River trail. Head toward the southwest . The trail isn’t marked but you can follow several cairns along the way. This is a flat and easy couple of miles between two very steep and difficult sections. Once you come to the edge of the Esplanade, the trail drops down into the Redwall section of the canyon. This is a steep, uneven trail that switchbacks several times through the limestone. After more than an hour of hiking you’ll come to a part of the canyon called Surprise Valley. This is an area of low scrub brush and rolling hills. Follow the trail to the east. You will drop gradually in elevation but there is some elevation gain through this area. At the edge of Surprise Valley, the trail drops down into Tapeats Canyon. Footing sometimes is a questionable as the trail is not very wide and has a definite downhill tilt to it in several spots. If you are careful and sure footed this shouldn’t be a problem at all. A little more than halfway down, a spur trail next to some large boulders takes you to Thunder Falls. A short, slightly uphill hike from the main trail leads to the first reliable water source on this trail. The falls come out of the canyon wall where water has percolated down through the rock until it hits an impermeable layer which funnels out here. The falling water creates a cool breeze in the shady area next to the river. Great place to rest and fill up the water bottles. After rejoining the trail at the falls you will continue to switchback down to Tapeats Creek. The trail isn’t nearly as steep and it gradually evens out. Several hundred yards after following the creek, you arrive at Upper Tapeats Campground. Water is available at the creek and there is a open-air composting toilet with possibly the best view you’ll ever have while taking care of business. 10.5 miles from trailhead to campground. From the campground, there is a trail which gains and loses several hundred feet over a couple miles to the Colorado River. Some creek fordings may be needed, but not if the water is too high or dangerous. Overall you will get the usual mind-blowing views you expect from the Grand Canyon. Summertime is very hot , but doable. And during the winter the road to the trailhead is closed. You must be in good shape and a strong uphiller to get out of the canyon. Water and food can be cached on the Esplanade if you don’t want to hike all the way out in one day. Backcountry permits needed for camping in the Grand Canyon.
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