Bill Hall trail, Thunder river, Tapeats Creek and Deer Creek Falls
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 28.44 mi
- Elevation gain
- 12,241 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Experts only
- Elevation loss
- 12,241 ft
- Max elevation
- 7,175 ft
- TrailRank
- 61
- Min elevation
- 1,348 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 12 hours 48 minutes
- Time
- 16 hours 28 minutes
- Coordinates
- 7549
- Uploaded
- June 2, 2023
- Recorded
- June 2023
near Big Springs, Arizona (United States)
Viewed 79 times, downloaded 2 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
It is also the longest and most streneous dayhike I did (and will do) in my life. I started at 4:30am and finished at 9:00pm. Also reaching the trailhead involves a long drive on dirt roads through the forest. If you take the right route this can be easily done with a 2-wheel drive. Also, you can reach the trailhead even if the North Rim is still closed, which is recommended, because this hike is probably too much in the summer heat. I did it on 1 June. There are no photos of the starting point, since I started and finished in the dark.
The elevation change of the hike is higher than you expect, since especially along the Tapeats creek and the Colorado river there is a lot of exhausting short up and down. Navigation is pretty straightforward if you are an experienced hiker and if you have a map with the trail on your phone (bring a powerbank!). The trail is of good quality and there is no need for scrambling. The Thunder river waterfall and Deer Creek river provide good sources of water lower on the trail (a filter is recommended), which enables fast and light travel. Yet there is no water above the waterfalls. This why I stashed some water at the top of Surprise Valley. Remeber that it gets hotter as you descend into the Canyon. In total I think I drank more than 7 liters this day. I did travel with a Garmin Inreach device, which I think is invaluable when you hike alone and when there is no cell phone coverage, especially since in a canyon the tough part is kept for last. This is also why you should only attempt this if you have done 40+ km and 12+ hour dayhikes before on normal mountains. If you have time, it is better to make it a multi-day hike. If you only have one day, you can make it brutal and unforgettable.....
Waypoints
Intersection
5,407 ft
Junction Bill Hall trail / Thunder river trail
Here the Bill Hall trail joins the Thunder river trail. Turn left. The route to Indian Hollow is a much longer route out of the canyon.
Panorama
5,072 ft
Surprise Valley viewpoint
The hike over the Esplanade ends here with a great view over Surprise Valley and the first view of the (distant) Coloradao river. A good place to stash some water.
Intersection
3,573 ft
Junction Surprise Valley
Left towards Thunder River, right to Deer Creek falls Surprise Valley is a hot and dry place. Not my favorite part of the route.
Panorama
3,819 ft
Viewpoint Thunder River Falls (1)
First view of the Thunder River Falls, also known as Thunder Spring
Campsite
2,467 ft
Upper Tapeats Campground
Nice campnground with some basic facilities. Permit required.
Panorama
2,395 ft
Tapeats Creek
On the map this might look like an easy hike along the river, but it is not. It involves quite some up and down. Yet that also gives very nice views over this valley. Crossing the river in spring is not easy and is also not necessary.
Panorama
2,326 ft
Tapeats Creek (2)
Here Tapeats Creek slowly sinks into a canyon, while the trail continues above this canyon.
Panorama
2,283 ft
Confluence viewpoint
The first view of the confluence of Tapeats Creek and the Colorado river.
River
2,021 ft
Confluence of Tapeats Creek and Colorado river
This is also Lower Tapeats campground that does not really have any facilities. Permit required.
Panorama
2,070 ft
Colarodo river viewpoint (1)
The hike along the Colorado river is beautiful, but involves more up and down than you might think. Also, this part of the route is where the temperature is highest. Drink!
Intersection
1,985 ft
Junction
This is a junction between two paths. One follows the Colorado level on a lower level, whereas goes to a higher level. In principle both pahts go in the same direction and rejoin each other after some kilometers. The junction is not really clear. I did not really see the bottom path, so I took the upper one.
River
2,260 ft
Deer Creek river
There is no bridge to cross this river, but even in spring there are multiple points in which this can be done easily.
Cave
2,260 ft
Slot Canyon of the Deer Creek River
Beautiful slot canyon in which the Deer Creek river cuts through the rocks.
Panorama
2,274 ft
Viewpoint Colorado river (3)
Another nice viewpoint of the Colorado river close to the Deer Creek falls.
River
1,939 ft
Colorado river
At the river again. Popular place for rafters to stop and hike up Deer Creek canyon. You will have to be lucky to have this spot for yourself.
Bridge
Waterfall
2,723 ft
Deer Creek spring
Head down to the falls and stock up on water. There is typically no water above the falls and you still need to climb more than 1300 meters.
Panorama
2,782 ft
Viewpoint Deer Creek Valley (2)
Last viewpoint of the Deer Creek Valley, before heading into the dry Surprise Valley.
Intersection
3,691 ft
Junction
Junction between route towards Deer Creek, Thunder River and the route to the Esplanade.
Intersection
3,753 ft
Junction
Other trail junction between Thunder River, Deer Creek and Esplanade route.
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