The Wildest Hike I've ever done - Deer Creek Thunder River Loop - Grand Canyon
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Published 2023-11-20
This trail has been on my list for way too many years. The Deer Creek / Thunder River loop looks amazing. Firstly, it's the Grand Canyon and it's tough to go wrong there. Next, it's much lesser known than something like South Kaibab or Bright Angel; Deer Creek / Thunder River is a true backcountry experience. There are no water faucets, rest houses or bathrooms. You also get to visit some amazing places;
Thunder River Spring - It's literally a waterfall pouring out of the side of the Grand Canyon. Thunder River Spring feeds Thunder River, which happens to be the steepest river in the USA.
Deer Creek Narrows - I've wanted to rappel through the Deer Creek Narrows since I heard about them. Unfortunately, I believe this is no longer allowed. But you can still walk along the top of the narrows which is quite an experience in itself.
Deer Creek Falls - Deer Creek Falls (pictured on the thumbnail) is a picturesque 180' tall waterfall, dropping down to the Colorado River.
I feel like the video does a good job of showing what the trail looks like and highlighting the sights along the way. What it doesn't do a good job of is showing just how rough this trail is. Watching this back, I feel like I keep saying how hard the trail is while the video makes it look like a piece of cake. And I don't care what Clint says, this trail is not cake.
The descents are extremely steep. So much so in spots that I was actually grateful when there were switchbacks. There is no water until Thunder Spring, so if you aren't lucky enough to get a permit to camp in that area, you need to pack in your water. This just adds to the pack weight and bulk. Then there is the uneven terrain; it's not Bright Angel or Kaibab. Those trails are well maintained and traveled. The Deer Creek / Thunder River Loop is not well maintained or traveled. The trails are faint and riddled with rocks and uneven steps. You have to be mindeful of EVERY step. This makes it extremely slow going, risky and just harder on your body. Then there are the sketchy parts. I feel like it takes a lot to sketch me out, and this trail managed to do that in multiple locations. There is big exposure on the trail from Thunder Spring to Lower Tapeats, from Lower Tapeats to the Deer Creek Narrows and in the Deer Creek Narrows themselves. Clint actually slipped in the Deer Creek Narrows and I was certain he was going to fall into the narrows themselves. The slip itself is caught on video and shows up on our way back after Deer Creek Falls (although it happened on the way to the falls). I'm not sure if the video properly conveys how scary that actually was, but it honestly made my heart skip a few beats. Luckily, he was OK, but it was terrifying for a moment.
And with all things related to the Grand Canyon, realize that weather and water are of primary concern. Even moreso than falling off one of the many cliffs....although I recommend concentrating on not falling off the cliffs as well.
Anyway, if you are considering doing this hike, just know it is difficult. I understand that difficulty is relative, but I feel like I do this type of thing a lot and this was without a doubt the most difficult backpacking trip I've ever done. It's worth it, but just know what you're getting into.
Alright, enough rambling. Hope you enjoy the video and if you still feel up to it after watching the video and reading this description, go for it. It's an amazing trail. Just make sure you take it seriously because it can be quite a beat down.
Music by Epidemic Sound
- We Are Giants - Silver Maple
Music by Artlist
- Adelaide - Dear Gravity
- Solace - Liquid Memoirs
- Memento Mori - The Duke of Norfolk
- Currents - Ardie Son
- Animals - Ardie Son
- A Soaring Swan Sister - Ardie Son
- His Mercy - The David Roy Collective
- Row - Israel Wasserman
- Sleeper Valley - Ardie Son
All Comments (21)
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Jerry, Nobody Does It Better, another beautiful episode.
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Brutally beautiful
Beautifully brutal -
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.
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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!
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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.
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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. 🍀 -
❤❤the Grand Canyon!! My favorite hikes of all time!
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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.
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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!!
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totally living through you while i’m deployed
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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!
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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. ⛰🥾🌵🏜
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P.S. The barrel cactus!!! Beautiful.
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My life could end in such a place and I would cross happy, knowing I was on holy ground.
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Just when I think the Grand Canyon couldn’t get any better, you hike this! Thanks for the content Jerry!
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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!!
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That was gorgeous!
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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 🕺
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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!!
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Beautiful country, sketchy trail. Good job guys.
