Women's Grand Canyon backpacking trip

Hermit & Grandview Women's 4-Day Backpacking

Location: Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona
Duration: 4 days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Season: March – May, September – November
Price and dates: coming soon

A 4-day women's backpacking trip on the remote Hermit or Grandview / Horseshoe Mesa circuits of the Grand Canyon's South Rim.

Skip the crowded viewpoints. This trip drops below the South Rim onto the wilder, quieter side of the Grand Canyon (either the Hermit loop on the western end or the Grandview / Horseshoe Mesa circuit further east) for four days of backcountry hiking, sleeping under desert stars, and stretches of solitude most canyon visitors never see.

Your guide, Laurie Baggarly, picks the route based on the season, the permit window, and what the group's after. Either way, you'll cover roughly 25 miles over four days, traversing rock layers older than dinosaurs and dropping toward the Colorado River along trails the rim-side tourists never reach.

The trip is designed and led for women. Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and packs are available to borrow if you don't own them yet, and your guide handles permits, water, route-finding, and the cooking, so you can focus on the canyon.

Trip highlights

25+ miles on the quiet, remote South Rim: Hermit or Grandview / Horseshoe Mesa
Three nights of backcountry camping beneath some of the darkest skies in the lower 48
All permits, gear, and meals handled, including loaner tent, bag, and pad if you need them
Small women-only group (up to 11 hikers, multiple guides for ratio)
A challenge that builds real backpacking skills, not just a guided walk

Itinerary

Welcome and gear check Arrive at the South Rim by late afternoon. Meet your guide for a thorough gear check, route briefing, and team dinner.
Descend into the canyon Trailhead start at sunrise. Drop into the canyon through dramatic rock layers to your first backcountry camp deep below the rim.
Deeper exploration A side-hike or full traverse day depending on the itinerary. Could include a stretch along the Tonto Platform, a push toward the Colorado, or an exploration of Horseshoe Mesa.
Ascent and celebration Climb back to the rim, typically 3,500–4,000 ft of gain on the final day. Trailhead pickup and a celebratory team dinner near the South Rim.

Included

Wilderness First Responder-certified guide (Laurie Baggarly)
All National Park backcountry permits and campsite fees
Loaner tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pack if you don't own them
Trailhead shuttle from the meeting point and back
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on the trail
Welcome and celebration dinners off the trail
Group cooking, camping, and first-aid equipment
Water filtration, resupply, and human-waste bags where required

Not included

Travel to the Grand Canyon South Rim / Tusayan area
Personal hiking clothes, boots, and toiletries
Personal snacks and trail extras
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Guide gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Grand Canyon South Rim. Most guests fly into Phoenix (PHX, ~3.5 hrs) or Las Vegas (LAS, ~4.5 hrs) and drive, or fly in to Flagstaff (FLG, ~1.5 hrs).

Things to know

How fit do I need to be?: Great fitness is required. Expect 5–9 hours of hiking per day on uneven terrain, with up to 4,000 ft of elevation gain or loss in a single day.
I don't own backpacking gear. Can I still come?: Yes. Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and packs are available to borrow at no extra cost. You bring your boots, clothes, and personal items.
Hermit or Grandview: which route will we hike?: Your guide picks the route based on the season, the permit allocation, and the group. Both are remote, quiet, and exceptional in different ways.
Can I book this as a private group?: Yes. Reach out and we'll plan a private departure for your group on dates that work.
Are minors allowed?: Hikers under 18 are considered case by case and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please contact us before booking.