We are up at five, eat, and start getting ready.  There are a few clouds over Nankoweap Butte, but not enough for any rain.  We finally get away around 6:45.  Mount Hayden is such a neat feature during this part of the hike.

Early morning clouds 10-14-2009 @ 6:08	Mount Hayden 10-14-2009 @ 7:06	Mount Hayden 10-14-2009 @ 10:05

     Since Keith is a much stronger hiker than I am, he takes the lead and slowly fades out of sight.  I find a few more flowers during the climb.

Fetid Marigold 10-14-2009 @ 9:39	Desert Senna 10-14-2009 @ 9:51

     I have set a personal goal of four hours to get from Nankoweap Creek up to Tilted Mesa, but I would not be unhappy if it took me five hours.  While going uphill on this section is a little easier than going downhill, the constant exposure is a real attention getter.  Around ten o'clock, I am relieved to be above the dangerous sections.  The view looking down towards Nankoweap Creek shows just how far I have come this morning.

	Looking below Tilted Mesa 10-14-2009 @ 10:07

     As I approach the top of Tilted Mesa, I see Keith standing by our old campsite.  He has been here an hour.  After lunch and an extended break, we continue the climb and pass the small obstacle between campsites.  This spot is a lot easier going up, especially when Keith gives me a hand at the top.

Keith at Tilted Mesa campsite 10-14-2009 @ 10:45	Our 2nd night campsite 10-14-2009 @ 12:01	A small obstacle 10-14-2009 @ 12:22

     At the very top, we start the traverse around to Marion Point.  I have not been feeling well, so maybe the mostly flat terrain to come will be easier to negotiate.

	Looking toward Marion Point 10-14-2009 @ 12:57

     We come to two spots with medium exposure.  The first is a very slanted section of the trail, somewhat similar to a spot on the Boucher Trail between Yuma Point and the Dripping Springs Trail.  Using hiking poles for balance and proceeding very slowly gets us past this.  The second spot involves getting past a cliff that sticks out onto a slanted trail.  The sides of the cliff walls are slick with nothing to hold onto.  I find that I am able to put my hand under the cliff edge for a grip, which helps out immensely.  A slip in either place would end your hike in short order. 

Medium exposure spot 10-14-2009 @ 1:30	Another medium exposure spot 10-14-2009 @ 2:37	Keith past the exposure 10-14-2009 @ 2:39

     We are getting pretty close to Marion Point and the Marion Point Wigleeva.

Marion Point Wigleeva 10-14-2009 @ 2:31	Marion Point Wigleeva 10-14-2009 @ 2:53

     Keith and I pull into the Marion Point campsite around three o'clock.  I am pooped, so I'm spending the night here.  Keith decides to move on around to Saddle Mountain for the night.  We agree to meet tomorrow morning at Saddle Mountain.

	Marion Point campsite 10-14-2009 @ 2:59

     The views to the north of the Marion Point campsite are very good.  The wind is so strong that I could never keep my tent up, so I'm just going to sleep on my pad on the ground.

North of Marion Point 10-14-2009 @ 3:30	North of Marion Point 10-14-2009 @ 3:30

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