We started out before dawn- each of us walking single file and wearing head lamps. The star gazing was spectacular once we dropped off the rim and away from the lights- you'll just have to trust us on that one.
But here is our first glimpse of dawn- light to the east....(through a very dusty lens )
Soon there was sun on the highest edges of the canyon. You can see that we had beautiful weather for our hike.
Then we got glimpses of the sun across the canyon
Then it got lighter.. and we could see the trail below our feet-- as well as the trail far below us. The arrow points at about the mid-way point of the trail at Indian Gardens. Notice the clump of greenery- quite surprising for such arid land.
An hour and a half later we arrived at Indian Gardens- a true oasis with cactus and towering cottonwoods
Another shot in Indian Gardens...with the river canyon still way off in the distance...
After the flat and shady garden part of the trail we descended over another plateau. That is our trail zig-zaging down the rock face.
Here is Sarah negotiating through a rock canyon.
And Kurt doing the same thing..
And Kurt doing the same thing..
Still headed downward- everywhere surrounded by gorgeous views
AH HA! The Colorado River dead ahead. 7.8 miles from the rim
Kurt was first to the river- but we were all glad to arrive!
Happy boy with his feet in the water. It was at least 80 degrees at the bottom of the canyon- a perfect day.
/All too soon we had to begin our return trip. There were MUCH FEWER pictures taken on the arduous trip up---until we got closer to the top.
Here is a rather daunting view of the path we needed to take to climb to the rim.
But the more we climbed- the more spectacular the canyon view became.
Sarah gave us a target to aim for as she trooped along without a hitch
One last view
And then we were back at the rim--- hooray!
And soon we were refreshing our bodies back in our hotel room!
And soon we were refreshing our bodies back in our hotel room!
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