Guided Grand Canyon Expeditions
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
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. Ours traces the Bass Trail, using a packraft to cross the mighty Colorado River. The Magic Carpet Ride of a lifetime!
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. We will follow the Hermit Trail itself, then loop around the Boucher Trail to the Colorado River and back to the South Rim
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!
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.
The Horsethief Route
This is simply one of the most exciting backpacking trips in the world. Trace an old outlaw evade and escape route from North Rim deep into the wilderness of Grand Canyon. Incredible geologic features eminating from the Butte Fault, one of Grand Canyon’s main tectonic shapers, await along with screaming golden eagles and intense solitude. Are you ready for this?!
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.