I do not know where your "leader" is getting his information but there is no Monument Creek trail, unless he is talking about the trail from Monument Creek camp to the river. That trail goes down a gentle wash. The nearest trail access to Monument Creek from the rim is either the Bright Angel trail from the South rim to Indian Gardens and then the Tonto Trail to Monument Creek or the Hermit Creek trail to the Tonto Trail and then along the Tonto Trail to Monument Creek. Also, if he claims that the Hance Trail is gentler than the Hermit, he has either a poor memory or is BS'ing about one or the other. Even if your "leader" has been in the canyon a few times, the rest of the crew sounds more like the Albanian militia preparing for war; you do not sound ready for a safe, pleasant hike at that time of the year.

If this is serious inquiry rather than a troll, would you please look at a map and google a few websites about various GC trails and read up on hiking in the Canyon before you take up any more of our time? You need a much better information base before we can provide any meaningful help. Thanks!