No Better Rim to River
In most rim-to-river hikes in the Grand Canyon, water is the focal point of all plans. Water availability determines where I camp, how far I hike each day, when I hike, and where I rest. A few weeks ago we hiked the Thunder River/Deer Creek loop, a trip of about 30 miles in 3 days. We ended up caching one gallon per person on the waterless Esplanade plateau so it would be ready to retrieve on our last day. Grand Canyon hikers should plan on drinking at least one gallon of water per day, and probably more in the heat of the lower canyon. In our case, temperatures at the Colorado River were 104 degrees. We stayed close to perennial sources of water and scheduled our toughest dry stretch in the cool of the evening. Our plan unfolded perfectly and we always seemed to have plenty of water when we needed it.

The Thunder River/Deer Creek loop is one of the most strenuous, yet most rewarding hikes in the Grand Canyon. We noticed the water flow from Thunder Springs was significantly less than last year, but that didn't make our stay there any less refreshing or enjoyable. Thunder River is the world's shortest and steepest river as it gushes from a limestone cave and drops over 1,000 feet in a furious half-mile run. The head of Deer Creek Narrows is a great place to spend the afternoon on day two. Don't miss the half-mile detour to the river, passing the dramatic narrows and enjoying the falls as they plunge into the Colorado River. This loop is a must-do for any dedicated Grand Canyon hiker.