I've done versions of that hike 7 times... the last when I was 72. The worst part was always the hike to the water drop carrying that extra weight. The video really showed the narrow parts well... where you don't want to look down. What memories.... Thanks.
You know I live vicariously through you and Tina. My days of a heavy pack and rock scrambling much less technical climbing are over. Done lots but, gad, so many desert canyons, so little time. Good for you guys!
I was on a "hiking/river" guided river trip where every day included some hike into the Canyon (fantastic experience) and we did this hike from the river up to Thunder, around to Deer, then back down, the boat meeting us at the mouth of Deer. Get this, though: one of our two river guides wore freaking FLIP-FLOPS the entire way, and carried a gallon milk-jug of water with him by the handle, so not packed away. Not talking Keen flip-flops or anything like that; Walmart/dollar-store flip-flops. One of the women in our boat, unknown-to-us beforehand, didn't go on the all-day hike, instead went with the boat to the base of Deer, and while waiting, dragged her poor husband, who was in the beginning stages of Parkinson's disease, up Deer Creek. We met them at the scary part of Deer when we were coming down. This man was terrified but couldn't communicate all that well (neither of one them really belonged on this particular type of river trip, but....), and his wife just kept pushing him along, go go go....the really narrow part of Deer, flip-flop guy basically glued himself to the back of this man and inched along sideways with the man hugging the canyon wall and Flip-flop on the outer edge to ensure he made it across that really really scary part of the trail. That woman was crazy and demanded that the husband go along; the guides did the best they could. He made it (and then had to hike back!). But boy, we were never so glad to get that woman out of our lives after that trip. Thunder River was unforgettable, though, and it was overall a great hike. For those of us not married to that woman.
@Ramphastos333 Good golly, what a story! I can see it vividly, all the unforgettable characters of an outdoor adventure tour. Flip flop guy’s been doing the same hikes all day, every day, no big. Who even knows that couple’s back story or actual mental states. Good thing no one got hurt on that particular trip.
@@SweetFruitionFarmandEcoHousing absolutely. Flip-flop guy (dare I say dude?) was absolutely amazing. And we all sort of adopted this husband and helped him get in and out of the boat every day, along trails, etc. I think the woman was in denial that her husband was starting to display physical signs of this horrible disease, she just wasn't ready. He was such a nice guy. I'll never forget that part of the Deer Creek trail where the rock juts out and you have to spider-crawl around it....that guy and the masterful Flip-flop....all of us holding our breaths watching. Egads.
Every guide I've met is flip flop guy. They're so laid back, capable and cool. Good that the poor guy was OK. And although he may have been in over his head at times, it's great he had support of everyone so he could experience that while he still could.
For sure after a long hike in the sun getting a tent up can be a chore. Getting for prepared can be a chore but it does taste so good. Sleep is always on the mind once the tent is good. Did the Nankoweap Trail. Boy what a hike. Great video…
I've been to Thunder River Springs and Deer Creek on a guided backpacking trip but somehow we avoided the sketchier parts. Nice thing about going with a guide is they cache water for you ahead of time! Glad neither of you got hurt. Hope your wrist heals up, if that's whats injured.
I am so glad that you have found Clint. In perhaps the most brutal unforgiving ways he is enabling you to fulfill your hikes nobody is crazy enough to do with. All of your adventures together are jaw dropping.
About 1/2 mile in, I was ready to quit. The pack weight was just killing me. Luckily Clint talked me through it. Actually, he's the one who invited me on my first GC trip. I'd probably still be avoiding it if it weren't for him.
What an intense, grueling and epic hike for you and Clint! Thanks for bringing us along on y’all’s beautiful journey. I am in utter disbelief that it didn’t rain or snow on y’all. ☔️ 🎒 ⛰️ 🌧️ ❄️ @Jerry Arizona Just want you and Tina to know that our four old and seven year old took their first indoor rock climbing class and mom and dad a belay class this weekend because of watching y’all’s moving and inspiring videos the last several months. Our seven year old daughter loves when Nick splashes Jerry in the cold canyons and our four year old son said that he was canyoneering when he was climbing up a stack of stickered lumber next our sawmill. The kids don’t know this yet but the growing JA world that reads the comments can know that there are two kids getting backpacks and helmets for Christmas. We’re going to start them off with some light East Coast scrambling for quite a while before we ever do any truly vertical, out in nature vertical rope work. Hopefully years from now we can finally take a big trip out west and explore some of the places y’all have shown the world with your artistic talent and physical exertion. Jerry, we appreciate your ability to capture an awe inspiring landscape while simultaneously helping us older folks anticipate our own groans and injuries when we get out there. Note to self - always plan to “work” and leave the kids with their dad on Monday nights. 🍀
@@JerryArizonaIf it‘s any consolation, it can be struggle with little ones to even get out the door or have them pick up the floor. Less than 24 hours after my previous comment we had to turn back on a brief, high wind, sleet crusted hike that had deteriorated into selective hearing, chaos and mutiny. The kids were not having it. The videos where y’all take your family members on gentle hikes, overnight cookouts/camping, and out canyoneering are priceless. I used to think that I needed to take my nephews on mountain backpacking trips, but years later, they still talk about how exciting it was to hike in the woods around the family farm, identify plants and wildlife, pick up garbage, learn about some history, talk about ecology, and just have fun. I’m sure y’all did your best to raise decent human beings and y’all probably managed to get some nature time in for them as well.
What a place! The waterfall is stunning! But, for an official hiking trail in a National Park, places like where the wall juts out over the narrow sandy ledge trail, that's just too sketchy. That spot needs a steel safety cable bolted to the rock. Rather than describing it as "unimproved" they should say "this is dangerous, you're putting your life on the line and help is a long, long way off." Also, a good long rope would enable you to belay each other in a pinch and helps raise and lower packs more easily.
Enjoy! FYI, we only made about 1mph. This thing is slow going. Good campsites at upper tapeats and deer creek that I wasn't able to snag that had access to water.
Fantastic video Jerry! My husband and I did this twice, once in our 30s and again in our 50s because we loved it so much the first time. We accessed through Indian Hollow in order to bypass the sketchy spot on the Bill Hall section; still not a cake walk. In the twenty years between, you could tell the trail had gotten even rougher and sketchier. The maps describe it as "unimproved" and that sure proved to be true. We did a little extra stretch going along the Colorado west of Deer Creek. What had been a trail our first time had now completely disappeared from rock slides. It got so steep we had to turn around and crawl in some spots. It was exhausting, scary in too many places, and difficult with a pack. We didn't want to see any rocks for a long time afterwards. Still, we consider this loop a true classic and tops as one of the grandest, most epic adventures in our lives. Your video brought back memories of so much of that. Thanks and well done!!
Are both of the sketchy spots he talked about on the Bill Hall section? And how much more mileage does coming from the Indian Hollow trailhead add to it?
@@sjkichler Sorry for the late response... Yes, it's about 3-4 miles more going from the Indian Hollow trailhead. We didn't take the Bill Hall because we'd gotten feedback from friends and other hikers about the one tricky spot. Going from Surprise Valley down to Tapeats Creek, the going is easy, but the trail is extremely narrow in spots with a terminal slope with no margin for error. Much of the entire loop all the way down and along the Colorado and then up again from Deer Creek had spots that were potentially dangerous if you were to slide or lose your footing. If that doesn't bother you, then great, but even if so, you really have to stay focused and careful all the time. Because of this, it wasn't always so relaxing or fun, though the surroundings were amazing. How Jerry and his friend seemed exhausted and so relieved afterward was very understandable.... We had earlier done this as an open loop backpack, starting from Sowats Point and down Kanab Creek, then along the Colorado R for nine miles to Deer Creek, and then out through Surprise Valley and Indian Hollow. Best adventure ever! The Esplanade between Surprise Valley and Indian Hollow was sensational, also Thunder River, and we loved hanging out around Deer Creek falls. We tried going west past Deer Creek along the Colorado R this more recent time in order to do the loop back to the Kanab and out via Sowats Point, but what was once a trail along the Colorado was completely gone from rockslides. Even with wanting to bushwhack, it was almost impassable now with a backpack so we spent an extra day at Deer Creek then went back out via Indian Hollow. Good luck and enjoy if you do Deer Creek/ Thunder River!
Love this! Did it with a friend and my 11 y/o daughter a year ago. I think I spoiled her with one of the best backpacking trips she could ever go on with her first one. We trained for months leading up to it.
She’s something else…she’s been on quite a few GC hikes with me and is more than this 48 year old can keep up with at this point. Doing her first rim2rim this Sept. We spent an additional night, which helped me recover🥵. Did you by chance go to “the thrown room” above Deer Creek campground or hike up Tapeats? Thank you for these videos. You do an amazing job of capturing what all of these amazing hikes are really like.
One beta I read included a description of two girls the writer came across on this trail. I'll never forget it; "One was trying to puke up her toenails and the other was lying on the ground in the fetal position crying." Seems about right.
Awesome adventure. Plenty of pucker worthy spots along the way. Got to see some great things I'd never have seen otherwise. Thanks for taking us along.
I'm from the Appalachians of North Carolina but have lived in Arizona for the last 5+ years. It took me a while to start loving backpacking here. My heart is southern - and it's tough to get used to the desert. But your videos have helped me see the little things. The things I needed to see, in order to fully appreciate a baren, treeless landscape - and how it can be beautiful. Thank you, my brother. My friend. ⛰🥾🌵🏜
It’s definitely an adjustment. But you can hop in the car and go to flagstaff, the white mountains, north rim of the Grand Canyon or, to a lesser degree southern AZ sky islands like the Chiricahuas to get your pine tree fix. There’s definitely a beauty to the desert though.
Absolutely amazing, speechless, wild trek !!! Tomorrow I am going on wild hike and got enough motivation from this video.....But at one place your friend went off balance and ALMOST fell into deep valley below and its very very painful to watch it....Be safe and keep hiking friend !!!!
We always watch your videos as soon as they come out! This is the best video yet!! Of course we love the ones either Tina, but this video’s scenery and music! Award-winning material!!! Thank you!!!! God bless!!
Wow!! I ❤ Grand Canyon. This is a loop I only dream about. I would consider this a once in a lifetime "I did it!" kind of epic adventure. Thank you for taking us all along and sharing the beauty and reality of this place. Great job!!
Oh boy 😱 was just telling the wife, the water falls would be worth the hike 🤣 but I don't think so now 😁 thanks for doing that, and thanks for sharing this, absolutely amazing, nobody would ever see that if it wasn't for you guys going there, be safe 🕺
Gorgeous destinations but the hike down and up is S C A R Y! Thanks for making the trip and taking us all with you! (Excellent videography and musical selections, too) ☺
Wow! Just stunning views start to finish. Even if my health would allow me to do something like that the heights/steeps would keep me away. My go to phrase has always been… God said “lo, I am with you always”. So I get to enjoy the highlights through your video….which, by the way, is outstanding! Every one you post is a leap above the last. They all rock! Thanks!
Clint was wearing crocs in another video as well on another big ass hike. That dude is a hard-core Texan, he also has a UA-cam channel for hiking and another one about mission work in Africa. Big-time family guy.
Hahaha! Man I’m not that hardcore! I’m just a firm believer that crocs can survive the apocalypse. I carry them as camp shoes for water crossings. Jerry gives me a hard time over them…which makes this stubborn Texan that much more committed to them!
@@TheNotLostNomad I have 4 pair of crocs, and have gone through many in the past. They really have been great to me over the years. Though, I'm not a hiker, due to disability. I enjoyed watching the two of you on this adventure.
@TheNotLostNomad I’m constantly trying to get my partner to put on tennis shoes or at least put the crocs in sport mode when he’s doing carpentry building/renovating stuff, milling lumber, climbing stacks of stickered boards, or hiking with us. 🤦🏻♀️ 😩 😂 That is smart to keep them for water crossings or as backups for soggy hikers, and anybody that takes on such a grueling, multi day, heart stopping, and parched hike is definitely hard-core. Just so y’all know, I waited for the whole video for some kind of precipitation event. 😆 🤔 🌧️ ❄️ 🎒 🏔️
Thanks for the memories, Jerry. I’ve done this twice, the first time when I was 28 and then again at 52. At least I was smarter this last time and made it a four day trip. a piece of cake the first time but kicked my butt the last time.
Jerry, this one was a banger my dood. I'm 100% adding this to my GC list. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze for this one. Hope you guys had a quick recovery XD.
Epic, truly epic. Loved the views in the morning. I can't believe how much water is out west this year. My wife and I get to visit in early spring. Man, you need to take care of yourself, you hit your head, messed up your shoulder and now you are wearing something on your wrist. You must be hanging around with Nick way too much. Take care and thank you!
It's all back to the shoulder injury. Wasn't carrying a hiking pole because of my shoulder, so I fell and hit my head and hurt my wrist. Those are healing up, but I just found out that the shoulder is going to need surgery. Funny thing is, I don't even know how I injured my shoulder.
Jerry! Great job capturing this trip…through the beautiful, the terrifying, and the just downright difficult…you told the story through it all. I learn something from every video from you.
I don't know man 😅 that one takes some cajones. Awesome looking trail though. I can't imagine those narrow bits with the drop offs... I've been in similar situations and it is way scarier in person. Great hike!
I've been doing commercial river trips for the past few years and Deer Creek is one of the stops. Fairly close to the sketchy part of the trail there are white handprints on the opposite wall put there by young Native Americans years ago. From what I've been told it was a passage to manhood test. Not sure how they got there because it's on a rockface with no visible access (at least to me). Hopefully heading there on another river trip 5/24. Thanks for letting me tag along on your hike.
I did this hike a few years ago along with my wife and kids and there were trails on both sides of Thunder River at that time. We stayed on the Southwest side - never had to cross. It's a great hike for Spring/Fall. The toughest parts for us were along the Colorado. There's not really a trail for a couple miles but you can't get lost - just keep the river in sight until you get back to an obvious trail.
Yeah, definitely some wayfinding issues. Watched a video where they got off trail trying to avoid crossing Thunder River and they got into some really sketchy stuff. So when we saw it cross, we went for it.
I need to comment and say what a spectacular part of the Grand Canyon! Only a few go down to the river and phantom ranch and a much smaller percentage go to this area! Seriously what a beautiful hike. I hope to go one day!
It's amazing. I have several other lesser known trails down there I want to check out. But DEFINITELY not as easy or well maintained as the main corridor hikes. Worth it, but it takes a lot of prep and training.
That is one of the most amazing places. I prefer to leave water on the Esplanade and camp in Surprise Valley close enough to Thunder Falls to drop down daily to pump water. That seems easier than carrying it all the way. I’ve base camped in SV for a couple of nights, which allows for day trips down Tapeats and Deer Creeks. What that doesn’t allow is walking the Colorado between Tapeats and Deer. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, my campsites were not ideal. Couldn't get Deer Creek which kinda messed up the entire spacing. Which was strange because there were a ton of spots that could work and we met one group coming out that said they were the only ones there that night. It worked out though.
That hike is amazing, scary at many parts for me but wow, thanks for sharing this. I wish I could achieve this but not in this lifetime. Love your videos, dude!
Jerry you never fail to deliver excellent videography with where you have been! Nice to see you had Clint along again in this endeavor! You two make a great pair of Adventures into the Southwest's beautiful Canyons that most of us will never ever see! Thank you so much for all your efforts! Not Angel's Landing in the snow, but pretty damn exhausting and trying!
We put a water stash on the Esplanade for the hike out, it worked well for us oldies. We just did the thunder river, tapeats and down to the Colorado, with a side trip up the tapeats
Nick just did Nankoweap. He's an animal. I recommended he do this one and climb up into the cave that feeds Thunder Spring. Apparently that's a thing you can do if you're as crazy as he is.
@@JerryArizona We managed to drag him down to the river against his better judgment. 😅 The snow made it pretty epic. Nick can handle anything you throw at him and would crush the Deer creek loop.
Amazing Jerry... you show the places unseen... nice narration, beautiful filming, and editing. Keep doing what you are doing, would love to watch your next video ❤😊
Excellent backpack and brutal, don't know if I would have dropped down to the falls bottom of Deer creek. I hiked the trail from Indian Springs day hiking once, but not way down. Kudos, nice shots of the canyons 👆
Wow! That has to be one of the most spectacular hikes on the face of this earth!!!! Those knarly parts make you feel alive... what a rush. How spectacular!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!! Great video... your best one!
Yowzuh! Amazing views down there... pain, terror, dehydration...I mean, you got all the elements of an amazing type-2-fun experience. Gonna have to add this one to the list!
Wow! How can something be so beautiful and terrifying at the same time? This hike was beyond awesome but too steep for me. Loved Thunder falls and the river. Thank you for sharing! Congratulations on this achievement 👏
Absolutely beautiful video. You're so good at this. You captured the beauty and ruggedness of the landscapes extremely well. I hope you finished it off with a Mexican meal. AllTrails has as 23 miles and 6604 gain. With that weight. Wow.
There's a video floating around on YT of someone who climbed up INTO Deer Creek spring and went about a mile into it underground. Absolutely mind blowing.
Awesome video, as usual! Thanks Jerry. How hard is it to get permits, when should one be trying to get their permits? Is there a particular time of year that's best for this hike?
This one was pretty easy to get. It's not crowded like the main corridor trails. As far as time of year, I'd recommend spring or fall. Summer is way too hot. If you get too far into winter, the roads will probably be impassable due to snow.
That narrow area in Deer Creek (14:00) looks unbelievably beautiful, and I've been to Havasu Falls a couple of times. I'd love to do this hike as well next year. There's something about the lush waterways carving through the otherwise dry and arid canyon that makes those places much more mystical. Superb hiking vlog. I've also had this spot on my list for years and this showed me what I'll be in for. Thank you!
Glad to help. It's definitely an adventure. I first heard of Deer Creek in a canyoneering book. Apparently, you used to be able to rappel it, ending with an epic 180' rap down the falls to the Colorado. Not sure why they closed it off to canyoneers. Too bad, because it was one of the most beautiful slot canyons I've ever seen.
Welp, thanks again for taking us along on your hike. The land, the topography, the scenery, all too good. For the longest time kept kidding myself with the notion maybe someday will make a trip back out there. With the help of your channel, and others, know where to go now. But if I am honest it's a pipe dream. Really good video, top drawer. Maybe I'll pretend I could make it out there and hike some overnights... that's what I'll do. As always, thanks for the inspiration.
Did this loop with two other guys about 10 years ago. Amazing trip. We went to Deer Creek first and then along the river and up Tapeats and Thunder River. Finding the trail that goes along the Colorado is definitely easier coming from Tapeats. It’s easy to miss coming from Deer creek as its back up above the top of the waterfall.
Awesome trail, but challenging no matter what direction you go. I don't envy your climb up to Suprise Valley by Thunder Springs. It was rough enough to get down it.
@@JerryArizona You ever make the climb up to the start of Tapeats creek and venture into the cave up there? That is something on my bucket list. Supposed to be a pretty large and epic cave.
I know your focus is mainly Arizona, but based on what you love to hike, highly suggest you make a trip to the Death Valley backcountry. Absolutely stunning mountains and canyons.
Wow Jerry! I'm jealous, what a hike! I did a 5 day rafting trip from Bright Angel to Diamond Creek a few years ago and our first stop the second day was Deer Creek! That place is awesome. That part where Clint slipped, I can't believe he was standing up when he went by it. I was crouched down, going slow and hanging on for Deer life when I went by that spot both ways. It's scarier than it looks from an end view. It is absolutely gorgeous above the falls there. I've wanted to do that hike for several years but it probably won't happen it takes a lot of prep work and training to do a hike like that, but maybe I'll make it back to Deer Creek by river. Fantastic video as usual, I'm curious, do you think you'll do that hike again or was once enough for you? Take care.
I dunno. Right now, I would say I wouldn't do it again. Too many other hikes I want to check off first. But I have a history of saying that, then after some time deciding I DO want to do a hike again....which reminds me. I need to get rainbow bridge, lost coast and reflection canyon back on the calendar.....
Fantastic video and trip! I've been wondering if you might do this one at some point. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and gorgeous videograpghy. This hike has been on my To Do list since I first heard of it in the late 80s when I lived in Tucson. t hasn't happened yet, but It's still on my list and hopefully will get to it in the next few years. Some of those sketchy sections reminded me more than a little bit of Crawlers Ledge on the Kalalau Trail. Love your channel.
Thank you! I highly recommend this trail. But you have to be prepared for it. So much harder than something like Bright Angel. You just have to watch every single step and it's such slow going. Reminded me of the Superstitions when it came to trail condition. Personally, I thought there were sections here that were scarier than anything on the Kalalau Trail. More like a narrower version of the dirt sections shortly after crawler's ledge. At least on crawler's ledge it's solid rock. And that section in Deer Creek.....if there had been another section like that, I don't know if I'd have kept going to the falls.
@@JerryArizona I know the dirt sections after Crawler's Ledge that you're talking about. My wife, daughter, and I all agreed that those were scarier and sketchier than Crawler's Ledge which is the famous part of the trail. Thanks for that added descriptive info about the trail. I'll keep that in mind.
I don’t know how you all do it lol! The fact you stashed your water and knew exactly where it was when you returned and knew your way back to your SUV is impressive. You should make video about the gps device you used.
Think I just responded on another comment. Definitely recommend looking into GPS options. And some map reading/wayfinding skills just for being able to read the landscape from a topo map is a necessary skill. For this water stash, we marked it on GPS, but also made a mental note of a nearby rock formation so we had a backup plan in case the GPS failed.
Jerry, Nobody Does It Better, another beautiful episode.
Brutally beautiful
Beautifully brutal
Sums it up well. Worth it, but it's gonna take a minute for the pain to wear off enough to want to do this again.
I've done versions of that hike 7 times... the last when I was 72. The worst part was always the hike to the water drop carrying that extra weight. The video really showed the narrow parts well... where you don't want to look down. What memories.... Thanks.
That's awesome! This one about did me in. And yet I'm hooked on the Grand Canyon. Can't wait to go back.
Your camera really Did do justice to the vastness and depth and heights.
WOW!!!!! Quite The Hike Quite The Video!! I Am Jealous Of Your Youth!! Simply Beautiful Video!!
You know I live vicariously through you and Tina. My days of a heavy pack and rock scrambling much less technical climbing are over. Done lots but, gad, so many desert canyons, so little time. Good for you guys!
I was on a "hiking/river" guided river trip where every day included some hike into the Canyon (fantastic experience) and we did this hike from the river up to Thunder, around to Deer, then back down, the boat meeting us at the mouth of Deer. Get this, though: one of our two river guides wore freaking FLIP-FLOPS the entire way, and carried a gallon milk-jug of water with him by the handle, so not packed away. Not talking Keen flip-flops or anything like that; Walmart/dollar-store flip-flops. One of the women in our boat, unknown-to-us beforehand, didn't go on the all-day hike, instead went with the boat to the base of Deer, and while waiting, dragged her poor husband, who was in the beginning stages of Parkinson's disease, up Deer Creek. We met them at the scary part of Deer when we were coming down. This man was terrified but couldn't communicate all that well (neither of one them really belonged on this particular type of river trip, but....), and his wife just kept pushing him along, go go go....the really narrow part of Deer, flip-flop guy basically glued himself to the back of this man and inched along sideways with the man hugging the canyon wall and Flip-flop on the outer edge to ensure he made it across that really really scary part of the trail. That woman was crazy and demanded that the husband go along; the guides did the best they could. He made it (and then had to hike back!). But boy, we were never so glad to get that woman out of our lives after that trip. Thunder River was unforgettable, though, and it was overall a great hike. For those of us not married to that woman.
@Ramphastos333 Good golly, what a story! I can see it vividly, all the unforgettable characters of an outdoor adventure tour. Flip flop guy’s been doing the same hikes all day, every day, no big. Who even knows that couple’s back story or actual mental states. Good thing no one got hurt on that particular trip.
@@SweetFruitionFarmandEcoHousing absolutely. Flip-flop guy (dare I say dude?) was absolutely amazing. And we all sort of adopted this husband and helped him get in and out of the boat every day, along trails, etc. I think the woman was in denial that her husband was starting to display physical signs of this horrible disease, she just wasn't ready. He was such a nice guy. I'll never forget that part of the Deer Creek trail where the rock juts out and you have to spider-crawl around it....that guy and the masterful Flip-flop....all of us holding our breaths watching. Egads.
Every guide I've met is flip flop guy. They're so laid back, capable and cool. Good that the poor guy was OK. And although he may have been in over his head at times, it's great he had support of everyone so he could experience that while he still could.
Did this same loop in Oct 1997 with AzRa Rafting Co. Absolutely amazing and much easier than coming from the rim!😉
Cool is good❤
For sure after a long hike in the sun getting a tent up can be a chore. Getting for prepared can be a chore but it does taste so good. Sleep is always on the mind once the tent is good. Did the Nankoweap Trail. Boy what a hike. Great video…
I've been to Thunder River Springs and Deer Creek on a guided backpacking trip but somehow we avoided the sketchier parts. Nice thing about going with a guide is they cache water for you ahead of time! Glad neither of you got hurt. Hope your wrist heals up, if that's whats injured.
P.S. The barrel cactus!!! Beautiful.
I am so glad that you have found Clint. In perhaps the most brutal unforgiving ways he is enabling you to fulfill your hikes nobody is crazy enough to do with. All of your adventures together are jaw dropping.
I’m thankful he keeps inviting me out! Every trip has been an adventure and Jerry is good company!
About 1/2 mile in, I was ready to quit. The pack weight was just killing me. Luckily Clint talked me through it. Actually, he's the one who invited me on my first GC trip. I'd probably still be avoiding it if it weren't for him.
What an intense, grueling and epic hike for you and Clint! Thanks for bringing us along on y’all’s beautiful journey.
I am in utter disbelief that it didn’t rain or snow on y’all. ☔️ 🎒 ⛰️ 🌧️ ❄️
@Jerry Arizona Just want you and Tina to know that our four old and seven year old took their first indoor rock climbing class and mom and dad a belay class this weekend because of watching y’all’s moving and inspiring videos the last several months.
Our seven year old daughter loves when Nick splashes Jerry in the cold canyons and our four year old son said that he was canyoneering when he was climbing up a stack of stickered lumber next our sawmill.
The kids don’t know this yet but the growing JA world that reads the comments can know that there are two kids getting backpacks and helmets for Christmas. We’re going to start them off with some light East Coast scrambling for quite a while before we ever do any truly vertical, out in nature vertical rope work.
Hopefully years from now we can finally take a big trip out west and explore some of the places y’all have shown the world with your artistic talent and physical exertion.
Jerry, we appreciate your ability to capture an awe inspiring landscape while simultaneously helping us older folks anticipate our own groans and injuries when we get out there.
Note to self - always plan to “work” and leave the kids with their dad on Monday nights. 🍀
Awesome to hear! Wish I'd gotten my kids into this when they were young.
@@JerryArizonaIf it‘s any consolation, it can be struggle with little ones to even get out the door or have them pick up the floor. Less than 24 hours after my previous comment we had to turn back on a brief, high wind, sleet crusted hike that had deteriorated into selective hearing, chaos and mutiny. The kids were not having it.
The videos where y’all take your family members on gentle hikes, overnight cookouts/camping, and out canyoneering are priceless.
I used to think that I needed to take my nephews on mountain backpacking trips, but years later, they still talk about how exciting it was to hike in the woods around the family farm, identify plants and wildlife, pick up garbage, learn about some history, talk about ecology, and just have fun. I’m sure y’all did your best to raise decent human beings and y’all probably managed to get some nature time in for them as well.
What a place! The waterfall is stunning! But, for an official hiking trail in a National Park, places like where the wall juts out over the narrow sandy ledge trail, that's just too sketchy. That spot needs a steel safety cable bolted to the rock. Rather than describing it as "unimproved" they should say "this is dangerous, you're putting your life on the line and help is a long, long way off." Also, a good long rope would enable you to belay each other in a pinch and helps raise and lower packs more easily.
Great summary! Planning to do this in May!
Enjoy! FYI, we only made about 1mph. This thing is slow going. Good campsites at upper tapeats and deer creek that I wasn't able to snag that had access to water.
Fantastic video Jerry! My husband and I did this twice, once in our 30s and again in our 50s because we loved it so much the first time. We accessed through Indian Hollow in order to bypass the sketchy spot on the Bill Hall section; still not a cake walk. In the twenty years between, you could tell the trail had gotten even rougher and sketchier. The maps describe it as "unimproved" and that sure proved to be true. We did a little extra stretch going along the Colorado west of Deer Creek. What had been a trail our first time had now completely disappeared from rock slides. It got so steep we had to turn around and crawl in some spots. It was exhausting, scary in too many places, and difficult with a pack. We didn't want to see any rocks for a long time afterwards. Still, we consider this loop a true classic and tops as one of the grandest, most epic adventures in our lives. Your video brought back memories of so much of that. Thanks and well done!!
Are both of the sketchy spots he talked about on the Bill Hall section? And how much more mileage does coming from the Indian Hollow trailhead add to it?
@@InkedDragonAdventuring I am route planning for a trip this summer and it looks like it add about 3.5 miles to come from Indian Hollow
@@sjkichler Sorry for the late response... Yes, it's about 3-4 miles more going from the Indian Hollow trailhead. We didn't take the Bill Hall because we'd gotten feedback from friends and other hikers about the one tricky spot. Going from Surprise Valley down to Tapeats Creek, the going is easy, but the trail is extremely narrow in spots with a terminal slope with no margin for error. Much of the entire loop all the way down and along the Colorado and then up again from Deer Creek had spots that were potentially dangerous if you were to slide or lose your footing. If that doesn't bother you, then great, but even if so, you really have to stay focused and careful all the time. Because of this, it wasn't always so relaxing or fun, though the surroundings were amazing. How Jerry and his friend seemed exhausted and so relieved afterward was very understandable.... We had earlier done this as an open loop backpack, starting from Sowats Point and down Kanab Creek, then along the Colorado R for nine miles to Deer Creek, and then out through Surprise Valley and Indian Hollow. Best adventure ever! The Esplanade between Surprise Valley and Indian Hollow was sensational, also Thunder River, and we loved hanging out around Deer Creek falls. We tried going west past Deer Creek along the Colorado R this more recent time in order to do the loop back to the Kanab and out via Sowats Point, but what was once a trail along the Colorado was completely gone from rockslides. Even with wanting to bushwhack, it was almost impassable now with a backpack so we spent an extra day at Deer Creek then went back out via Indian Hollow. Good luck and enjoy if you do Deer Creek/ Thunder River!
@@InkedDragonAdventuring please see my comment regarding Deer Creek via Bill Hall
Love this! Did it with a friend and my 11 y/o daughter a year ago. I think I spoiled her with one of the best backpacking trips she could ever go on with her first one. We trained for months leading up to it.
Your daughter is tough! The Grand Canyon is a lot for an 11 year old. Good for her!
She’s something else…she’s been on quite a few GC hikes with me and is more than this 48 year old can keep up with at this point. Doing her first rim2rim this Sept. We spent an additional night, which helped me recover🥵. Did you by chance go to “the thrown room” above Deer Creek campground or hike up Tapeats? Thank you for these videos. You do an amazing job of capturing what all of these amazing hikes are really like.
My daughter and I hiked this exact trail early October. I thought I was going to die at least 10 times a day!!! Scariest, most amazing hike ever!
One beta I read included a description of two girls the writer came across on this trail. I'll never forget it; "One was trying to puke up her toenails and the other was lying on the ground in the fetal position crying." Seems about right.
I feel blessed watching your video thanks for all the hard work
My life could end in such a place and I would cross happy, knowing I was on holy ground.
All I can say is WOW... Epic cinematography Jerry. Talk about sketchy trail...
That was gorgeous!
❤❤the Grand Canyon!! My favorite hikes of all time!
Awesome adventure. Plenty of pucker worthy spots along the way. Got to see some great things I'd never have seen otherwise. Thanks for taking us along.
Holy Moly!
Way to go guys!
🤜🏼💥🤛🏼🥾♾
I'm from the Appalachians of North Carolina but have lived in Arizona for the last 5+ years. It took me a while to start loving backpacking here. My heart is southern - and it's tough to get used to the desert. But your videos have helped me see the little things. The things I needed to see, in order to fully appreciate a baren, treeless landscape - and how it can be beautiful. Thank you, my brother. My friend. ⛰🥾🌵🏜
It’s definitely an adjustment. But you can hop in the car and go to flagstaff, the white mountains, north rim of the Grand Canyon or, to a lesser degree southern AZ sky islands like the Chiricahuas to get your pine tree fix. There’s definitely a beauty to the desert though.
@@JerryArizona 💙
totally living through you while i’m deployed
As a mom, hang in there. Reach out to someone if you need to. I am glad you are finding stuff to watch that is giving you joy.
Absolutely amazing, speechless, wild trek !!! Tomorrow I am going on wild hike and got enough motivation from this video.....But at one place your friend went off balance and ALMOST fell into deep valley below and its very very painful to watch it....Be safe and keep hiking friend !!!!
Yeah that slip scared the heck out of me. I’m glad it happened though…it was a good reminder that simple mistakes can happen to anyone.
We always watch your videos as soon as they come out! This is the best video yet!! Of course we love the ones either Tina, but this video’s scenery and music! Award-winning material!!! Thank you!!!! God bless!!
Just when I think the Grand Canyon couldn’t get any better, you hike this! Thanks for the content Jerry!
Just did rim 2 rim last month with my son. The GC is just so mystical and sublime, unforgiving and vast. What a great hike you guys did!
Wow!! I ❤ Grand Canyon. This is a loop I only dream about. I would consider this a once in a lifetime "I did it!" kind of epic adventure. Thank you for taking us all along and sharing the beauty and reality of this place. Great job!!
Oh boy 😱 was just telling the wife, the water falls would be worth the hike 🤣 but I don't think so now 😁 thanks for doing that, and thanks for sharing this, absolutely amazing, nobody would ever see that if it wasn't for you guys going there, be safe 🕺
Gorgeous destinations but the hike down and up is S C A R Y! Thanks for making the trip and taking us all with you! (Excellent videography and musical selections, too) ☺
Wow! Just stunning views start to finish. Even if my health would allow me to do something like that the heights/steeps would keep me away. My go to phrase has always been… God said “lo, I am with you always”. So I get to enjoy the highlights through your video….which, by the way, is outstanding! Every one you post is a leap above the last. They all rock! Thanks!
Many thanks for busting your behind on your UA-cam viewers' behalf. Breathtaking hike! (In more ways than one.) Bravo!
Fabulous! Wow! Is your friend really wearing crocs for the whole journey? I can't imagine!
Clint was wearing crocs in another video as well on another big ass hike. That dude is a hard-core Texan, he also has a UA-cam channel for hiking and another one about mission work in Africa. Big-time family guy.
Hahaha! Man I’m not that hardcore! I’m just a firm believer that crocs can survive the apocalypse. I carry them as camp shoes for water crossings.
Jerry gives me a hard time over them…which makes this stubborn Texan that much more committed to them!
@@TheNotLostNomad I have 4 pair of crocs, and have gone through many in the past. They really have been great to me over the years. Though, I'm not a hiker, due to disability. I enjoyed watching the two of you on this adventure.
@TheNotLostNomad I’m constantly trying to get my partner to put on tennis shoes or at least put the crocs in sport mode when he’s doing carpentry building/renovating stuff, milling lumber, climbing stacks of stickered boards, or hiking with us. 🤦🏻♀️ 😩 😂
That is smart to keep them for water crossings or as backups for soggy hikers, and anybody that takes on such a grueling, multi day, heart stopping, and parched hike is definitely hard-core.
Just so y’all know, I waited for the whole video for some kind of precipitation event. 😆 🤔 🌧️ ❄️ 🎒 🏔️
Thanks for the memories, Jerry. I’ve done this twice, the first time when I was 28 and then again at 52. At least I was smarter this last time and made it a four day trip. a piece of cake the first time but kicked my butt the last time.
Yeah, this one was rough. It'll be a minute before I go back into the GC.
Hike looks brutal! But I bet my eyeballs would melt from all the beautiful scenery. 😮😮
Jerry, this one was a banger my dood. I'm 100% adding this to my GC list. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze for this one. Hope you guys had a quick recovery XD.
If you love the GC, this is an incredible trail. Just gotta know what you're getting into. Definitely add it to the list.
Epic, truly epic. Loved the views in the morning. I can't believe how much water is out west this year. My wife and I get to visit in early spring. Man, you need to take care of yourself, you hit your head, messed up your shoulder and now you are wearing something on your wrist. You must be hanging around with Nick way too much. Take care and thank you!
It's all back to the shoulder injury. Wasn't carrying a hiking pole because of my shoulder, so I fell and hit my head and hurt my wrist. Those are healing up, but I just found out that the shoulder is going to need surgery. Funny thing is, I don't even know how I injured my shoulder.
Jerry! Great job capturing this trip…through the beautiful, the terrifying, and the just downright difficult…you told the story through it all. I learn something from every video from you.
Good times, man. Except for the times we thought we were dying or going to die.
Yeah those just add character and grey hair
Thanks for taking us along on this crazy hike. I couldn’t with those cliff edges 😮
There were multiple spots that were on the edge of or just past my comfort zone.
I don't know man 😅 that one takes some cajones. Awesome looking trail though. I can't imagine those narrow bits with the drop offs... I've been in similar situations and it is way scarier in person. Great hike!
That last shot of the canyon half dark where you say we’re out. Just spectacular! So beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!
dude that trail is epic super cool 😎
This is a legendary film! 🎉🎉🎉 So good.
I've been doing commercial river trips for the past few years and Deer Creek is one of the stops. Fairly close to the sketchy part of the trail there are white handprints on the opposite wall put there by young Native Americans years ago. From what I've been told it was a passage to manhood test. Not sure how they got there because it's on a rockface with no visible access (at least to me). Hopefully heading there on another river trip 5/24. Thanks for letting me tag along on your hike.
Beautiful! But scary hike ! Thanks for sharing
"i dont know any cakes that are like this" 🤣. Incredible video!
one of you best videos yet. great hike.
Beautiful country, sketchy trail. Good job guys.
Great (scary) stuff !!
How do you navigate here ?
This one is not for me, thanks 😅
I did this hike a few years ago along with my wife and kids and there were trails on both sides of Thunder River at that time. We stayed on the Southwest side - never had to cross. It's a great hike for Spring/Fall. The toughest parts for us were along the Colorado. There's not really a trail for a couple miles but you can't get lost - just keep the river in sight until you get back to an obvious trail.
Yeah, definitely some wayfinding issues. Watched a video where they got off trail trying to avoid crossing Thunder River and they got into some really sketchy stuff. So when we saw it cross, we went for it.
This was a bad ass trail with awesome views and scenery. Great job capturing everything and we’re glad you lived to edit it. 😀👍
I need to comment and say what a spectacular part of the Grand Canyon! Only a few go down to the river and phantom ranch and a much smaller percentage go to this area! Seriously what a beautiful hike. I hope to go one day!
It's amazing. I have several other lesser known trails down there I want to check out. But DEFINITELY not as easy or well maintained as the main corridor hikes. Worth it, but it takes a lot of prep and training.
That is one of the most amazing places. I prefer to leave water on the Esplanade and camp in Surprise Valley close enough to Thunder Falls to drop down daily to pump water. That seems easier than carrying it all the way. I’ve base camped in SV for a couple of nights, which allows for day trips down Tapeats and Deer Creeks. What that doesn’t allow is walking the Colorado between Tapeats and Deer. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, my campsites were not ideal. Couldn't get Deer Creek which kinda messed up the entire spacing. Which was strange because there were a ton of spots that could work and we met one group coming out that said they were the only ones there that night. It worked out though.
one of your best vids man. truly spectacular.
That hike is amazing, scary at many parts for me but wow, thanks for sharing this. I wish I could achieve this but not in this lifetime. Love your videos, dude!
Jerry you never fail to deliver excellent videography with where you have been! Nice to see you had Clint along again in this endeavor! You two make a great pair of Adventures into the Southwest's beautiful Canyons that most of us will never ever see! Thank you so much for all your efforts! Not Angel's Landing in the snow, but pretty damn exhausting and trying!
This was another great trip with Jerry…good company and an incredible experience!
what a dream. you da man.
Magnifique....
We put a water stash on the Esplanade for the hike out, it worked well for us oldies. We just did the thunder river, tapeats and down to the Colorado, with a side trip up the tapeats
Incredible video of a mind-blowing hike. Nicely done.
Wonderful depiction of the trail. It's well worth the effort. I think Nick has another one to add to your list now that you've checked this off.
Nick just did Nankoweap. He's an animal. I recommended he do this one and climb up into the cave that feeds Thunder Spring. Apparently that's a thing you can do if you're as crazy as he is.
@@JerryArizona We managed to drag him down to the river against his better judgment. 😅 The snow made it pretty epic. Nick can handle anything you throw at him and would crush the Deer creek loop.
Amazing Jerry... you show the places unseen... nice narration, beautiful filming, and editing. Keep doing what you are doing, would love to watch your next video ❤😊
Excellent backpack and brutal, don't know if I would have dropped down to the falls bottom of Deer creek. I hiked the trail from Indian Springs day hiking once, but not way down. Kudos, nice shots of the canyons 👆
Super happy for you guys. There's magic in that loop. Very cool...
I've had this on the list for so long. It's an absolutely stunning trail.
I usually hike alone; as beautiful as this hike is I'm not sure if I will do this one on my own. Thank you for the info
Yeah, I'm comfortable hiking solo, but this is not one of those trails. Definitely helps to have a friend along.
Wow! That has to be one of the most spectacular hikes on the face of this earth!!!! Those knarly parts make you feel alive... what a rush. How spectacular!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!! Great video... your best one!
Very pretty love it
That was stunning! (and sketchy!) I enjoyed that immensely; thanks for posting!
RL
Yowzuh! Amazing views down there... pain, terror, dehydration...I mean, you got all the elements of an amazing type-2-fun experience. Gonna have to add this one to the list!
You'd love it. And probably crank it out in 2 days. We'll get you on the next trip down there. You can carry the water for me though.
Such vertigo from those shots looking down at the narrow trail. I could not do those! I’m so glad you share this with the world.
Thanks so much for sharing the adventure. It’s well beyond my comfort/ability but I get to experience it courtesy of you guys. Very cool, dude!
This was beautiful! I'm sure it's one of those hikes you really appreciate when you're editing the footage in a nice comfy chair lol.
Absolutely one of those kind of hikes.
I can't believe you blew right past Clint almost going over the edge at 15:44! The look on his face!
You've inspired me to hit fossil creek tomorrow. That hike looked like a shitshow!! Who's throwing the xmas party this year??!! Timmy C Arizona
16:06 you said doozy….seriously, you make a great vid. Best,
Wow! How can something be so beautiful and terrifying at the same time? This hike was beyond awesome but too steep for me. Loved Thunder falls and the river. Thank you for sharing! Congratulations on this achievement 👏
What a beautiful and rugged trail! Great camera work Jerry, thanks for sharing.
Just did that hike. It was my 13th time doing that loop.
Yeah, I like it there.
Wow! Amazing!
Love this hike! Thank you for sharing the amazing footage!
That was really cool!
Thank you!
Absolutely beautiful video. You're so good at this. You captured the beauty and ruggedness of the landscapes extremely well. I hope you finished it off with a Mexican meal. AllTrails has as 23 miles and 6604 gain. With that weight. Wow.
Thank you! It felt every bit of 6,604 ft of gain. Brutal. And still worth it.
What an amazing hike. Thanks for sharing !!!
Yikes! You ain’t kidding, a single shoe wide. One false step and it’s over. Surprised to see so many waterfalls in the GC. Lovely video, as always.
There's a video floating around on YT of someone who climbed up INTO Deer Creek spring and went about a mile into it underground. Absolutely mind blowing.
@@JerryArizona Dear God - you mean the creek flowed underground, and he rode through it the whole way, and lived? That's not for me....
Awesome video, as usual! Thanks Jerry. How hard is it to get permits, when should one be trying to get their permits? Is there a particular time of year that's best for this hike?
This one was pretty easy to get. It's not crowded like the main corridor trails. As far as time of year, I'd recommend spring or fall. Summer is way too hot. If you get too far into winter, the roads will probably be impassable due to snow.
That narrow area in Deer Creek (14:00) looks unbelievably beautiful, and I've been to Havasu Falls a couple of times. I'd love to do this hike as well next year. There's something about the lush waterways carving through the otherwise dry and arid canyon that makes those places much more mystical.
Superb hiking vlog. I've also had this spot on my list for years and this showed me what I'll be in for. Thank you!
Glad to help. It's definitely an adventure. I first heard of Deer Creek in a canyoneering book. Apparently, you used to be able to rappel it, ending with an epic 180' rap down the falls to the Colorado. Not sure why they closed it off to canyoneers. Too bad, because it was one of the most beautiful slot canyons I've ever seen.
Welp, thanks again for taking us along on your hike. The land, the topography, the scenery, all too good. For the longest time kept kidding myself with the notion maybe someday will make a trip back out there. With the help of your channel, and others, know where to go now. But if I am honest it's a pipe dream. Really good video, top drawer. Maybe I'll pretend I could make it out there and hike some overnights... that's what I'll do. As always, thanks for the inspiration.
Did this loop with two other guys about 10 years ago. Amazing trip. We went to Deer Creek first and then along the river and up Tapeats and Thunder River. Finding the trail that goes along the Colorado is definitely easier coming from Tapeats. It’s easy to miss coming from Deer creek as its back up above the top of the waterfall.
Awesome trail, but challenging no matter what direction you go. I don't envy your climb up to Suprise Valley by Thunder Springs. It was rough enough to get down it.
@@JerryArizona You ever make the climb up to the start of Tapeats creek and venture into the cave up there? That is something on my bucket list. Supposed to be a pretty large and epic cave.
Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
I love your channel brother. 🙏👍🔔
I know your focus is mainly Arizona, but based on what you love to hike, highly suggest you make a trip to the Death Valley backcountry. Absolutely stunning mountains and canyons.
Went once 2 or 3 years ago. We were just saying we need to get back to California. Death Valley was amazing.
This trail looks incredible. Just added it to my list
Wow Jerry! I'm jealous, what a hike! I did a 5 day rafting trip from Bright Angel to Diamond Creek a few years ago and our first stop the second day was Deer Creek! That place is awesome. That part where Clint slipped, I can't believe he was standing up when he went by it. I was crouched down, going slow and hanging on for Deer life when I went by that spot both ways. It's scarier than it looks from an end view. It is absolutely gorgeous above the falls there.
I've wanted to do that hike for several years but it probably won't happen it takes a lot of prep work and training to do a hike like that, but maybe I'll make it back to Deer Creek by river.
Fantastic video as usual, I'm curious, do you think you'll do that hike again or was once enough for you?
Take care.
I dunno. Right now, I would say I wouldn't do it again. Too many other hikes I want to check off first. But I have a history of saying that, then after some time deciding I DO want to do a hike again....which reminds me. I need to get rainbow bridge, lost coast and reflection canyon back on the calendar.....
Fantastic video and trip! I've been wondering if you might do this one at some point. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and gorgeous videograpghy. This hike has been on my To Do list since I first heard of it in the late 80s when I lived in Tucson. t hasn't happened yet, but It's still on my list and hopefully will get to it in the next few years. Some of those sketchy sections reminded me more than a little bit of Crawlers Ledge on the Kalalau Trail. Love your channel.
Thank you! I highly recommend this trail. But you have to be prepared for it. So much harder than something like Bright Angel. You just have to watch every single step and it's such slow going. Reminded me of the Superstitions when it came to trail condition. Personally, I thought there were sections here that were scarier than anything on the Kalalau Trail. More like a narrower version of the dirt sections shortly after crawler's ledge. At least on crawler's ledge it's solid rock. And that section in Deer Creek.....if there had been another section like that, I don't know if I'd have kept going to the falls.
@@JerryArizona I know the dirt sections after Crawler's Ledge that you're talking about. My wife, daughter, and I all agreed that those were scarier and sketchier than Crawler's Ledge which is the famous part of the trail. Thanks for that added descriptive info about the trail. I'll keep that in mind.
I don’t know how you all do it lol! The fact you stashed your water and knew exactly where it was when you returned and knew your way back to your SUV is impressive. You should make video about the gps device you used.
Think I just responded on another comment. Definitely recommend looking into GPS options. And some map reading/wayfinding skills just for being able to read the landscape from a topo map is a necessary skill. For this water stash, we marked it on GPS, but also made a mental note of a nearby rock formation so we had a backup plan in case the GPS failed.
@@JerryArizona oh okay! Good ideas! Thanks!!!