ALL HIKERS

DAY 5: AGATE CANYON TO SLATE CREEK

     I was right.  No water here meant there was no frog croaking last night.  We are up at our normal time and leave just after 8:00.  This should be another easy day with only five miles to go and just one small drainage to get past.  We will be going all the way around Geikie Peak and Scylla Butte to reach our campsite at Slate Creek.  When you look toward the backside of Agate Canyon, you can tell that the snow high on the rim will melt and run toward Slate Creek and not into Agate Canyon, hence the dry nature of the canyon.  Scorpion Ridge is an impressive feature on the north side of the river.

The view back to Agate Canyon
3-24-2008 @ 8:50
Scorpion Ridge
3-24-2008 @ 9:06

     We continue to see a variety of plants and flowers.

Silver Puffs
3-24-2008 @ 9:03
Century Plant
3-24-2008 @ 11:00
Blackbrush
3-24-2008 @ 11:29

     In about an hour, we get our first view of the day of the Colorado River.  It is still flowing a muddy, brown color.

Looking back at Agate Canyon
3-24-2008 @ 9:09
Colorado River
3-24-2008 @ 9:19

     I catch one more Plateau Lizard sunning himself.  We finally work ourselves around to the north side of Scylla Butte and Geikie Peak.  Scylla Butte is a feature we have been able to see the last two or three days.  From a distance, it appears to be much more round, almost barrel-like.  This has been a pleasant, but warm day to hike.  We run into a solo hiker headed to the west.  He says when he gets to the South Bass trailhead he is just going to hang out there and try to bum a ride back to Grand Canyon Village.  Wow, that's pretty gutsy.

Plateau Lizard
3-24-2008 @ 10:45
Scylla Butte and Geikie Peak
3-24-2008 @ 10:46
Scylla Butte
3-24-2008 @ 11:00

     We pull into camp around noon.  It is hot, so we take refuge in the shade while we have lunch.  Simultaneously, Keith and I notice a mouse has been creeping toward us looking for a handout.  Keith dubs him with the name, "Slate."  Keith attempts to tease the mouse by putting some food in his mesh stainless steel Ratsack and placing it near the mouse, hoping he will become completely frustrated at not being able to get at the food.  Slate is having none of that and refuses to participate in this game.  After a little coaxing, we nudge Slate out of his hiding place, where he waddles along.  Due to his large size and slow speed, we speculate that "he" is pregnant and close to giving birth.

Keith at Slate Creek
3-24-2008 @ 12:03
A fat mouse named "Slate"
3-24-2008 @ 12:30
A fat mouse named "Slate"
3-24-2008 @ 12:56

     There is a medium water flow in the creek.  We find much better campsites about a hundreds yards or so upstream, but someone has left quite a bit of camping gear there.  We're guessing that these folks went downstream to reach Crystal Rapids and will be back later.  We hope they are moving on then.  They come back late this afternoon, but were actually upstream exploring the Redwall and are spending the night here again.  That means we are stuck with the small campsites near the trail crossing.  Of course, we may get another chance to see Slate, the mouse.

Slate Creek
3-24-2008 @ 3:36
Slate Creek
3-24-2008 @ 3:36

     I do find some nice flowers up by the better campsites.

Small-flowered Milkvetch
3-24-2008 @ 3:35
Scarlet Penstemon
3-24-2008 @ 3:38

     Keith and I set up our tents at the trail crossing at the smaller campsites.

Keith's tent at Slate Creek
3-24-2008 @ 4:44
Richard's tent at Slate Creek
3-24-2008 @ 4:44

     Tomorrow we are headed to Boucher Creek.  At about five miles, it should be another easy day.  I suppose that with water here I should mentally prepare myself for the frog croaking that will probably occur tonight.

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