Around 7:00 the sun comes over the ridge at Hermits Rest.  I was going to sleep in late this morning, but as soon as the sun started shinning on my tent, the temperature inside instantly rose twenty degrees.  I guess it's time to get up.  There are very nice views of the Dripping Springs area from my campsite.  I get around and leave just before 8:30.  In a few minutes, I reach the trailhead where it meets the Dripping Springs Trail.

Looking south from camp 3-27-2008 @ 8:02	Looking toward Dripping Springs 3-27-2008 @ 8:02	The trail junction sign 3-27-2008 @ 8:35

     The Dripping Springs Trail has a few ups and downs as it winds it way past the Hermit Gorge.  The views looking down Canyon are awesome.

The Hermit Gorge 3-27-2008 @ 8:54	The Hermit Gorge 3-27-2008 @ 9:13

     I am surprised to find a section of the trail with some ice and snow still on it.

An icy Dripping Springs Trail 3-27-2008 @ 9:04	A snowy Dripping Springs Trail 3-27-2008 @ 9:08

     In under an hour, I reach the Hermit Trail junction and about fifteen minutes later, I pass the Waldron Trail junction.

Hermit Trail junction sign 3-27-2008 @ 9:19	Waldron Trail junction sign 3-27-2008 @ 9:35

     In a little while, I come to some fossilized footprints at the side of the trail by a small pine tree.  It's impressive how all these tiny footprints have been preserved in the stone.

Fossilized footprints 3-27-2008 @ 9:50	Fossilized footprints 3-27-2008 @ 9:50	Fossilized footprints 3-27-2008 @ 9:50

     I never cease to be amazed at the "paved" sections of the Hermit Trail that remain almost a hundred years after the Santa Fe Railroad installed them.

"Paved" sections of the Hermit Trail 3-27-2008 @ 10:03	"Paved" sections of the Hermit Trail 3-27-2008 @ 10:11

     Just up the trail is another section with more fossilized footprints.

	Click either picture for a photo-gallery of all five pictures of the fossilized footprints
Fossilized footprints 3-27-2008 @ 10:09		Fossilized footprints 3-27-2008 @ 10:09

     I have really been having a good time stopping to chat with all the hikers heading downhill.  Many are inquisitive about where I've been.  It's nice not to be in a rush to reach the rim.  However, this is starting to look like the Bright Angel Trail with all the traffic.  This is the eighth day in a row with absolutely clear skies.  Again I am surprised to find a section of the upper trail with snow on it.  I never expected that with all the warm weather we had this last week.

Looking down the Hermit Gorge 3-27-2008 @ 10:51	Snow on the Hermit Trail 3-27-2008 @ 10:55	A final look down the Hermit Gorge 3-27-2008 @ 11:01

     I reach the trailhead just before 11:30.

Richard at the trailhead 3-27-2008 @ 11:26	Hermit Trailhead sign 3-27-2008 @ 11:27

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