The section of the Tonto Trail between Hermit Camp and Boucher Creek is another extremely popular and well travelled section of the Tonto. It is probably not used as frequently as the prior two sections, those being the sections between Indian Garden and Hermit Camp and between The Tipoff on the South Kaibab Trail and Indian Garden, but it must surely come in as a close third. The reason for this is because this section of the Tonto is used to form another popular loop hike, that being the Hermit/Tonto/Boucher loop. Most people doing this loop hike will come down the Boucher Trail and go up the Hermit Trail because that is what other guides that I have seen recommend. I have only done this loop once myself, the other way around, and after coming up the Boucher I would never want to wish going down it on anyone. For more info on this check out the trail description for the Boucher Trail itself.

This section of the Tonto Trail is about 6½ miles long and is pretty easy to follow for most of that distance. It is not as heavily travelled as some of the sections further to the east so there may be places where you might need some route finding ability to pick out the trail as it crosses a side drainage, particularly after a summer rain storm. The trail is fairly well cairned in these places so assuming you keep your eyes open for these you should not have a problem.

Finding the exit out of Hermit Camp that is the continuation of the Tonto Trail heading west can be a little tricky. After some scouting around you should find it further back up in the Hermit Creek drainage from the camping area. Once up out of Hermit Creek the trail levels out as it meanders back and forth across the Tonto Platform. The traverse around the nameless side canyon below Columbus Point takes longer than you would expect by looking at it on the map. It took my wife and I about an hour to traverse. Once this is behind you there is about 4½ miles remaining to Boucher Creek.

A fairly straight and level section will then bring you out to some cliffs overlooking the river. The view from out there is spectacular and if you're early and lucky you might get to see a raft or two run Hermit Rapids. After a very short stay at the river the trail curves back and heads up into Travertine Canyon on the east side of Whites Butte. After another mile or so you will reach the point where the trail descends into Travertine and crosses to the other side. There are some nice spots in the back of Travertine Canyon that are perfect for camping or just a short break. Once you descend into and cross Travertine Canyon you are about 4 miles from Hermit Camp and 2½ miles from Boucher Creek. The descent through Travertine Canyon should not present any complications. Once out on the other side of Travertine another mile more will see you back out at the river.

The traverse along this next section of the Tonto has its scary moments when the trail gets a little narrow and there is a wall on one side going almost straight up and a fairly steep slope on the other side going down. The view of the river makes it worth it. Shortly after you pass in front of the northern tip of Whites Butte the trail begins to make a long U-turn that will take you up into the east arm of Boucher. The trail just seems to take forever to do this and it will take a lot longer than you would think it should. Finally the Tonto will link up with the Boucher Trail coming down from southeast and the two trails join up for a short distance as they both descend along Boucher Creek. After ¾ mile or so you will come to a very large cairn marking the spot where the Boucher Trail splits off again and heads north and east down Boucher Creek towards the Colorado River, and the Tonto begins its climb up and out of Boucher Creek to continue its westward meanderings.
 

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