Picked the Hermit Trail over Bright Angel last April, and the rocks at the top almost made me turn around
Went with Hermit because Bright Angel was packed with mule trains and day hikers, and even though the first mile past the trailhead was loose and slow, having whole stretches of the canyon to myself was worth every careful step, has anyone else dealt with that sketchy scree section right below the rim?
That scree section below the rim on Hermit gets you good, I slid like 10 feet on my butt near that first switchback and scared myself silly lol. Everyone talks about the mules on Bright Angel but nobody warns you about those loose rocks up top on Hermit. Once you get past it though the crowds thin out and you get the canyon to yourself, so I'd still take it any day.