Boucher Trail
Encyclopedia
The Boucher Trail is a hiking
trail
in Grand Canyon National Park
, located in the U.S. state
of Arizona
.
, in the southwest part of Hermit Canyon. Access to the Boucher Trail requires a hike of about 2¾ miles along the Hermit Trail
and Dripping Springs Trail. Cairns exist in key places and can be spotted with some careful looking.
The trail heads to the north and has little elevation change after leaving the Hermit Trail
. There are a few short, sharp descents and climbs around minor rockfalls and washbeds. After about 3 miles (4.8 km) the trail contours around Yuma Point and heads southwestward until a sharp descent at the head of Travertine Canyon through the Supai Group. This descent steepens above 25% at places, which requires care to descend. Hikers descending in this area may need to exercise care as some points require steps down of three to five feet. After the descent, the trail heads up the east side of Travertine Canyon to Whites Butte .
After the Whites Butte saddle, the trail descends through a natural break in the Redwall Limestone onto the Tonto Platform to a junction with the Tonto Trail
. This section is not as steep as the Travertine Canyon section, but can still exceed a 20% grade. The junction is marked by a noticeable cairn. At the junction, the Tonto Trail heads east towards Hermit Canyon or west into the Boucher Creek drainage.
To the west, the Boucher Trail and Tonto Trail descend through the Tapeats Sandstone for ¾ of a mile to Boucher Creek. At the confluence of Boucher Creek and Topaz Creek, the Tonto Trail splits off and continues northwest, while the Boucher Trail follows the creek northeast as it continues to flow to the Colorado River
, which marks the end of the trail. Boucher Creek's flow disappears and reappears numerous times on this section of the trail.
categorizes the Boucher Trail as a "primitive trail". With this designation it receives only low-key maintenance as conditions warrant, or to prevent resource damage. There are few patrols by park rangers along primitive trails, depending on daily usage.
The Boucher Trail is less travelled than the Hermit Trail on the other side of Hermit Canyon and is not as well defined. Because of this, the trail can be hard to pick out in places and is overgrown in a few places by canyon flora. The section descending the Supai Group in Travertine Canyon is marked by rockfalls and is exceedingly steep, requiring care when descending.
about a mile northwest of its junction with the Boucher Trail. All natural water sources need to be treated, filtered, or boiled prior to consumption.
, sudden rainstorms, flash flooding, loose footing, rockfall, encounters with wildlife, and extreme heat. At the Colorado River, additional hazards include hypothermia
(due to the river's consistently cold temperatures), trauma
(due to collisions with boulders in rapids), and drowning
.
Hikers are more likely to find solitude and isolation in addition to other hazards related to desert hiking.
, and is often credited as being the hermit referenced by canyon features of the same name, including the Hermit Trail
.
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
in Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
, located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Access
The trail officially begins at a low point on the Dripping Springs TrailDripping Springs Trail
The Dripping Springs Trail is a hiking trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.-Access:The trail begins along the Hermit Trail after a 1½ mile hike from Hermit's Rest.-Description:...
, in the southwest part of Hermit Canyon. Access to the Boucher Trail requires a hike of about 2¾ miles along the Hermit Trail
Hermit Trail
The Hermit Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. This trail provides access to a historic area of Grand Canyon and offers a more challenging route to the Colorado River for more experienced canyon hikers....
and Dripping Springs Trail. Cairns exist in key places and can be spotted with some careful looking.
Description
| Distance (mi) | Elv (ft) | Location | Connecting trails | Toilet | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5140 | Trailhead | Dripping Springs Trail Dripping Springs Trail The Dripping Springs Trail is a hiking trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.-Access:The trail begins along the Hermit Trail after a 1½ mile hike from Hermit's Rest.-Description:... |
||
| 2 | 5240 | Yuma Point | |||
| 4.5 | 4900 | Whites Butte Saddle | |||
| 6 | 3100 | Trail Junction | Tonto Trail Tonto Trail The Tonto Trail is a hiking trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.-Access:... east |
||
| 6.7 | 2770 | Boucher Creek | Boucher Creek, Perennial | ||
| 6.9 | 2700 | Trail Junction | Tonto Trail Tonto Trail The Tonto Trail is a hiking trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.-Access:... west |
Boucher Creek, Perennial | |
| 8.1 | 2320 | Boucher Rapids, Colorado River Colorado River The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states... |
Boucher Creek, Colorado River | ||
The trail heads to the north and has little elevation change after leaving the Hermit Trail
Hermit Trail
The Hermit Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. This trail provides access to a historic area of Grand Canyon and offers a more challenging route to the Colorado River for more experienced canyon hikers....
. There are a few short, sharp descents and climbs around minor rockfalls and washbeds. After about 3 miles (4.8 km) the trail contours around Yuma Point and heads southwestward until a sharp descent at the head of Travertine Canyon through the Supai Group. This descent steepens above 25% at places, which requires care to descend. Hikers descending in this area may need to exercise care as some points require steps down of three to five feet. After the descent, the trail heads up the east side of Travertine Canyon to Whites Butte .
Tonto Trail
The Tonto Trail is a hiking trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.-Access:...
. This section is not as steep as the Travertine Canyon section, but can still exceed a 20% grade. The junction is marked by a noticeable cairn. At the junction, the Tonto Trail heads east towards Hermit Canyon or west into the Boucher Creek drainage.
To the west, the Boucher Trail and Tonto Trail descend through the Tapeats Sandstone for ¾ of a mile to Boucher Creek. At the confluence of Boucher Creek and Topaz Creek, the Tonto Trail splits off and continues northwest, while the Boucher Trail follows the creek northeast as it continues to flow to the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
, which marks the end of the trail. Boucher Creek's flow disappears and reappears numerous times on this section of the trail.
Condition
Grand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
categorizes the Boucher Trail as a "primitive trail". With this designation it receives only low-key maintenance as conditions warrant, or to prevent resource damage. There are few patrols by park rangers along primitive trails, depending on daily usage.
The Boucher Trail is less travelled than the Hermit Trail on the other side of Hermit Canyon and is not as well defined. Because of this, the trail can be hard to pick out in places and is overgrown in a few places by canyon flora. The section descending the Supai Group in Travertine Canyon is marked by rockfalls and is exceedingly steep, requiring care when descending.
Water availability
The only water sources along the trail are in the last mile at Boucher Creek and at the Colorado River. An additional water source can be found at Dripping Springs, on the Dripping Springs TrailDripping Springs Trail
The Dripping Springs Trail is a hiking trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona.-Access:The trail begins along the Hermit Trail after a 1½ mile hike from Hermit's Rest.-Description:...
about a mile northwest of its junction with the Boucher Trail. All natural water sources need to be treated, filtered, or boiled prior to consumption.
Camping
Camping is allowed at-large along the Boucher Trail, except within ¼ mile of the junction with the Dripping Springs Trail. The park requires selecting campsites that have been previously used. Due to the proximity to water, there are many suitable camping locations around Boucher Creek.| Area | Name | Type | Group(s) | Parties | Max People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BN9 | Boucher | At-large | 1 | and | 2 | 23 |
Hazards
Hazards hikers can encounter along the 'Boucher Trail include dehydrationDehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
, sudden rainstorms, flash flooding, loose footing, rockfall, encounters with wildlife, and extreme heat. At the Colorado River, additional hazards include hypothermia
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as . Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation...
(due to the river's consistently cold temperatures), trauma
Physical trauma
Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
(due to collisions with boulders in rapids), and drowning
Drowning
Drowning is death from asphyxia due to suffocation caused by water entering the lungs and preventing the absorption of oxygen leading to cerebral hypoxia....
.
Hikers are more likely to find solitude and isolation in addition to other hazards related to desert hiking.
History
The trail is named for Grand Canyon prospector and guide Louis Boucher, who lived in a cabin he built alongside Boucher Creek while mining in the area. He lived alone while in the canyon, making supply runs to the south rim from time to time. Because of his solitude, he was often labeled as a hermitHermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
, and is often credited as being the hermit referenced by canyon features of the same name, including the Hermit Trail
Hermit Trail
The Hermit Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. This trail provides access to a historic area of Grand Canyon and offers a more challenging route to the Colorado River for more experienced canyon hikers....
.