We are up around 4:00, eat a granola bar for breakfast, pack our gear, and head up the trail at 5:30 with our headlights on.  The first part of the trail is a little steep and we are glad to be doing it when it is cool.  Eventually, the trail levels out and we start to make better time.  We pass Columbus Point and take a break in a drainage coming down from a massive red wall just as the sun is coming up.  After a few more minutes on the trail, we approach the river.  The view across the river in the early morning sun is great.

      The trail turns westward high above the river and we make our way toward Travertine Canyon.  We can see Boucher Rapids far below us in the shadows.  As we turn southward in Travertine Canyon, I can see how it got its name with the white mineral deposits on the other side of the canyon wall.

Boucher Rapids from above 10-5-2005 @ 7:18	Travertine Canyon 10-5-2005 @ 7:35	Travertine Canyon 10-5-2005 @ 7:36

     It is a lot farther around Travertine Canyon than I first thought.  Parts of the trail are uncomfortably close to the edge and there is a steep up and down section at the south end of the canyon.  We successfully negotiate that and make our way to the base of the white deposits where we take another break.

	Click either picture to view additional pictures of Travertine Canyon.
Beth at Travertine Canyon 10-5-2005 @ 8:35		Travertine Canyon 10-5-2005 @ 8:36

     We finally make our way out of Travertine Canyon and head west.  We are glad to be back to the flatter sections of the Tonto Trail.  The views remain great.

Tonto Trail west 10-5-2005 @ 8:55	Tonto Trail west 10-5-2005 @ 8:55

     There are still several small drainages to traverse before we can turn south.  We eventually make our way to an area high above Boucher Rapids.

Boucher Rapids from Tonto 10-5-2005 @ 9:04	Boucher Rapids from Tonto 10-5-2005 @ 9:58	Boucher Rapids from Tonto 10-5-2005 @ 9:59

     The trail finally turns to the south and we begin to make our way downhill toward the intersection of the Boucher Trail.  We meet three hikers headed uphill who came this way yesterday, but have missed the cairn marking the Boucher Trail.  We tell them they have come too far.

Tonto Trail southbound to Boucher Creek 10-5-2005 @ 10:17	Tonto Trail southbound to Boucher Creek 10-5-2005 @ 10:17

     The other hikers backtrack and find the start of the Boucher Trail next to a cairn in a drainage.  We take a short rest there and watch as they begin the steep switchbacks headed for the break in the Redwall by Whites Butte.  Our trail drops abruptly from here to Boucher Creek.  After several switchbacks, we reach the first of two campsites at 11:00.  The second one is considerably bigger, so we claim it.  It is great to be reaching camp before noon.  I explore a little bit briefly to see if I can find the Hermit's cabin.  It is only about a hundred feet from our campsite.

Louis Boucher's cabin 10-5-2005 @ 11:18	Louis Boucher's cabin 10-5-2005 @ 11:18	Louis Boucher's cabin 10-5-2005 @ 11:18

     We set up our tents, but it is a little too warm to rest any inside them.  Later we rig up a rope between two trees to raise our food and trash bags above the reach of any inquisitive animals.

	Click either picture to view additional pictures of our campsite at Boucher Creek.
Boucher Creek campsite 10-5-2005 @ 12:06		Boucher Creek campsite 10-5-2005 @ 12:06

     Boucher Creek is right below our campsite, so filtering water is easy.  The view westward toward Topaz Canyon is magnificent.

Westward view toward Topaz Canyon 10-5-2005 @ 2:27	Westward view toward Topaz Canyon 10-5-2005 @ 2:27

     We are looking forward to our day hike tomorrow to Boucher Rapids.  Like our previous days, we have supper and go to bed just after sunset.    

MAIN INDEX | HIKING INDEX | BACK TO DAY 2 | FORWARD TO DAY 4