Overview

The hike from Boucher Camp to the Colorado River is an easy, 50-minute stroll down Boucher Canyon. If you find yourself on the Tonto Trail in Boucher Canyon, this side trip is a must. In addition, this is probably the easiest route from the Tonto Trail to the river because the route starts down in the Vishnu Schist and the walking is easy.

People often hike into Boucher Canyon as part of a 3- or 4-day, 21-mile loop trip using the Boucher, Tonto, and Hermit trails. This is a popular backpacking trip, so plan ahead and make backcountry reservations early. In the Boucher Canyon backcountry zone (BN9), camping is at large, which means that you can camp anywhere. There are several nice campsites where the Tonto Trail first intersects Boucher Creek from the east. Other nice campsites in BN9 can be found on saddles along the trail (dry camps) and at the mouth of Boucher Canyon on the Colorado River. Permanent water is available in Boucher Creek and at the river.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...the side trip down Boucher Canyon is safe and easy, but don't fall into the river. The Tonto Trail, needed to get to Boucher Canyon, has a reputation for being difficult and obscure. This is true for the Tonto west of Boucher Canyon, but the Tonto Trail east of Boucher Canyon is wide and easy to follow. The Boucher Trail is said to be difficult.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, this hike is long, so be sure to bring the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, about 5 hours southeast of Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas, drive out to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The trailhead for this route is the Tonto Trail in Boucher Canyon, and the closest trailhead on the South Rim is Hermit Rest. From the South Rim Visitor Center (Table 1, Site 811), ride the shuttle bus or drive to the Hermit Rest trailhead (Site 815). For details, see the Hermit Trail description.

The Hike

From the camping area in Boucher Canyon, it is about 1.25 miles and 50 minutes to the Colorado River.

From the camping area (Table 2, Wpt. 1; 1210 hrs), hike down Boucher Creek to the confluence of Boucher Canyon and Topaz Canyon (Wpt. 2; 1225 hrs). To this point, the route follows the Tonto Trail, which just runs down the streambed. Close to camp, you can get out of the wash by walking along the north wall of the canyon.

Below Topaz Canyon, the route leaves the Tonto Trail and runs down Boucher Canyon (not that you can tell the difference between the trail and the canyon).

In Boucher Canyon, the route runs generally northwest down the canyon. The canyon makes two jogs on the way northwest, then curves hard to the south (right) and goes through a narrow section with a couple of low, water-polished cascades [1250 hrs]. You can shortcut the canyon here by climbing over the low ridge. The short cut is more obvious on the way upstream.

Below the water-polished cascades, the canyon curves back to the north through tight S-curves [1255 hrs]. The curves make the hike to the river farther than you might think. After the S-curves, there is a short straight northwest section of canyon, then you hear a roar, and look up to see the river (Wpt. 3; 1300 hrs).

The canyon opens onto a beach with sand dunes, rocky places, and some Saltcedar thickets. The sand dunes look like a nice place to camp, but the river is pretty loud. On the edge of the river, you can hear that odd whirring noise the river makes.

When you are ready to head back, retrace your steps to the Tonto Trail.