We are up at 5:00, eat, pack, and leave at 6:30.  We are not going to allow the heat and sun to spoil our hike up to the rim today.  The pretty flowers continue everywhere.

Indian Paintbrush 4-5-2007 @ 6:49	Scarlet Penstemon 4-5-2007 @ 7:01

     The trail is easy going for a while, but then begins a steeper ascent.  In the early 1900s, the Santa Fe Railroad paved the entire Hermit Trail with stones.  Peter Berry did the same thing to many sections of the Grandview Trail to aid in his copper mining operation on Horseshoe Mesa.  It is surprising that many of these sections remain intact after a hundred years.

Stone paved trail 4-5-2007 @ 7:44	Stone paved trail 4-5-2007 @ 7:47	Stone paved trail 4-5-2007 @ 8:04

     Art and I take turns complaining about the steepness of the trail.  At least we are doing our climb in the cool, morning shade.  This would not be any fun in the heat and sunlight.  The variety of flowers continues.

Indian Paintbrush 4-5-2007 @ 8:43	Narrowleaf Penstemon 4-5-2007 @ 9:42

     The view back toward Horseshoe Mesa is impressive.  As we near the rim, we see numerous groups headed down for day hikes.  Just before reaching the rim, we are surprised to see Marsha.  It turns out she did not feel she could keep up with our pace and spent three nights at the river near Tanner Rapids and then went back up the Tanner to Lipan Point.  She takes our picture by the trailhead sign.  She was a little concerned when we did not come out yesterday according to our permit.

Horseshoe Mesa 4-5-2007 @ 8:18	Horseshoe Mesa 4-5-2007 @ 9:50	Art & Richard at the trailhead 4-5-2007 @ 10:05

     All the snow present at the start of our trip is now gone.  Art and I are glad to be back at the rim.  We head back to his RV to celebrate with a beer, cheese, and green olives.  That night we all celebrate properly with a meal at the Arizona Room. 

MAIN INDEX | HIKING INDEX | BACK TO DAY 6 | FORWARD TO POSTSCRIPT