HERMIT CREEK
Hermit Creek Camp bears little resemblance to what it was nearly a
century ago when the Santa Fe Railroad built and maintained the Camp
and the trail to accommodate early Canyon hikers and explorers.
Hikers
with a good eye can still find evidence of the tramway that carried
supplies down from Pima point, nearly 3,000 feet above. Portions of an
old road cross and contour the creek banks down to Hermit Rapids and
the outline of a few structures remain on the Tonto Platform.
The only
other development in the area is the pit toilet at the camp and the
four designated campsites on the east bank of Hermit Creek.
The camp is well situated for area exploration of the Tonto Trail to
the east and west and anyone visiting the area should follow the creek
down for an hour to get a view of Hermit rapids. Hikers going up the
creek will be rewarded with great views, but should be prepared to get
wet as the many pools that have formed in and around the boulder jams
and pouroffs will be running and full year round. Though the camp is
perched safely out of range of flashfloods, the canyon itself is not,
so hikers exploring this area during monsoon season should be alert and
cautious of this potential hazard.
The location of Hermit Creek Camp makes it a good exit point via the
Hermit Trail and two nights are adequate for exploring the general
area. The creek is perennial and aside from the river, it is the only
source of water in the area. Careful management including the recent
addition of a pit toilet facility has returned the creek to an
attractive and pristine setting.
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