Santa Maria Spring is a welcome resting place for hikers on the way
up the Hermit Trail. There is a small shaded rest ramada beside the
trail. The spring flows into a small trough and is generally
reliable year round. Legend has it that those who take water from
the spring and water the vines and plants growing in front of the
ramada will be rewarded with an easy hike on the trail. Legend or
not, the trail is still a long and hot trip especially in the
summer.
The trailhead can be reached from the parking area west of
Hermit's Rest, which is at the end of the West Rim Drive. This road
is closed to private cars in the summer, but there are free shuttle
buses that run from just west of Bright Angel Lodge. The trail
drops 1700 feet in the 2 miles to Santa Maria Spring. Be prepared
with appropriate clothing, hiking boots, food, and plenty of water.
Day hikes below the rim are permitted, but any overnight stays
require a Backcountry Permit, available by reservation from the
Backcountry Office up to 4 months in advance.
In order to claim credit for this cache you must do the
following:
1. Visit this cache site after 7-16-2002. (No old vacation or
internet photos please.)
2. Water the plants in front of the ramada at the springs.
3. Take a picture of yourself at the ramada with your GPSr in the
picture and post it here.