Guided Grand Canyon Backpacking Tours

The Grand Canyon is truly grand.  Although other canyons hold distinctions such as longest or deepest, this one is the only one worthy of the distinction of Grand.

Carved by the Colorado River over roughly the last 5 million years after tectonic uplift, the walls of The Grand expose 1.8 Billion years of Earth’s history.  For geologists, it is an indispensable part of piecing together what has happened on the North American continent during that time.  It records such events as the “Cambrian Explosion”, a time in which animals seemed to suddenly (in geologic and evolutionary terms) proliferate quite rapidly.  Its walls record volcanic eruptions, violent earthquakes, ancient seas, deserts, lakes, and civilizations.  Each stratigraphic layer records millions of years, and each step into the canyon records about 60,000 years back in time.

To be in The Grand is to truly be confronted with the depth and scale of geologic time.  We confront you with the grand scale of decision.  Our guided Grand Canyon Hiking and Backpacking tours are full-service with top–of-the-line gear, great food, and expert geologist/guides.

Grand Canyon Backpacking Tours

Backpacking trips into Grand Canyon are a special and wild experience.  Choose from trips to the popular South Rim, or the wild and beautiful North Rim.  Feel free to contact us with any questions, or to create your own Grand Canyon Backpacking adventure!

Rim to Rim Packrafting

Rim-to-Rim at Grand Canyon is consistently ranked as one of the top adventures in the Grand Canyon, the American Southwest, and the world.  This trip should be on every backpacker’s list.  Sparkling pools, thundering falls, spectacular scenery, and geology very unique to the Canyon are just a small sampling of what this adventure has to offer.  Our tour traces the historic Bass Trail and lends the opportunity to packraft the mighty Colorado River!

Duration: 6 Days

Skill Level: PhD

Cost: $1750/guest

The Hermit Loop

Louis Boucher, better known as “The Hermit of the Grand Canyon”, built this trail from his homestead in the late 1800’s.  This trail offers tremendous scenery, an excellent trail, and is set slightly away from the bustle of the corridor trails.  This tour connects the Hermit and Boucher Trails on a memorable adventure!

Duration: 4 Days

Skill Level: Graduate +

Cost: $1350/guest

The Escalante Route

This route has been rated as one of the top backpacking experiences in the world.  Adding a geologist/guide only enhances its draw, as you trek through some of the most wild, spectacular, and inspiring wilderness on the face of the planet.  Explore a slot canyon, scale the Class-3 Painted Wall, and enjoy deep solitude!

Duration: 5 Days

Skill Level: Graduate +

Cost: $1450/guest

Thunder River

Thunder River begins as a groundwater trickle on the Kaibab Plateau, then explodes forth as a thundering deluge from the sheer cliffs above this adventurous trail.  This trip will suit anyone looking for a classic North Rim adventure, and is great for geology wanderers looking to step up their Grand Canyon game.

Duration: 5 Days

Skill Level: PhD

Cost: $1475/guest

Why Go Guided?

So much of the true wilderness experience comes from being able to understand and interpret what you are seeing.  Why are those rocks red?  How did this canyon form?  What is that tree?  What cultural significance are those petroglyphs?  Our expert guides will not only keep you safe, relaxed, and intrigued, they will also be able to answer almost any question you have about the landscape you are seeing.

A trained geologist is a person who can interpret millions of years of Earth’s history simply by staring at a rock outcrop for a few minutes.  Anyone can read a book about The Grand Canyon, Zion, The Painted Desert, or Death Valley, but seeing it up close and personal is a completely different and extraordinary experience. Our guides will give you knowledge and the intimate experience of truly knowing where you came from.  ​

In addition to our geologic knowledge, our trips also give you the fundamental ability to immerse yourself in the landscape without worrying about food, water, camping arrangements, transportation, driving directions, or any logistical issues that invariably accompany adventure.  Let us handle the details, all you need to do is enjoy the ride.

Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time.