With only 3.5 miles to go to Monument Creek, there's no need for us to get up early.  We leave around 8:30.  The high school kids are still in camp when we go by.  In a few minutes, we pass the trail that goes down to Hermit Rapids.

Leaving Hermit Creek 4-8-2013 @ 8:41	Cutoff to Hermit Rapids 4-8-2013 @ 8:54

     We only find a couple of blooming flowers in this section of the trail.

Fleabane Daisy 4-8-2013 @ 9:02	Indian Paintbrush 4-8-2013 @ 9:03	Schott's Yucca 4-8-2013 @ 9:13

     In less than an hour, we reach where the Hermit Trail meets the Tonto Trail.  There used to be another sign on top this post.

	Hermit Trail junction sign 4-8-2013 @ 9:21

     Before long, we can see the Colorado River and Hermit Rapids far below us.  When we reach the only place on this section where there is some very minor exposure, the wind becomes strong and gusty.  It's so bad at one point that I have to get down on all fours to keep from being blown off the trail.  Alan imposes a strict no-picture taking rule on Keith and me until we reach a safer part of the trail. 

The Colorado River 4-8-2013 @ 9:29	Hermit Rapids 4-8-2013 @ 9:52	Hermit Rapids 4-8-2013 @ 9:52

     The weather forecast called for a 40% chance of rain today.  As we crest a ridge, the rain starts, so the weatherman got it right.  Keith and Alan press on for Monument Creek, but I stop to put on my rain jacket.  Pretty soon I get my first view of the Monument.  It's amazing that this column of rocks remains standing. 

First view of the Monument 4-8-2013 @ 10:17	The Monument 4-8-2013 @ 10:37	The Monument 4-8-2013 @ 10:22

     The rain stops for a while and in another twenty-five minutes I make it into camp.  The clouds are intermittently thick, so it's hard to tell if it will start raining again.  However, the wind remains very strong and gusty.  Maybe I can get lucky and get my tent up before it rains more.  Bad mistake.  Just as I get the tent up, the rain starts again before I can get the fly on and I end up with a lot of water inside.  I finish putting the fly on and lie down inside to wait out the rain shower.  Keith and Alan got their tents up before the rains came.  We finally get a dry spell, but it takes me the rest of the afternoon to air and dry out my tent.

Richard's tent 4-8-2013 @ 1:45	Keith's tent 4-8-2013 @ 1:46	Alan's tent 4-8-2013 @ 1:46

     Since the Park Service has a "three-holer" here, you know this is a popular place.

A "three-holer" 4-8-2013 @ 1:51	Monument Creek sign 4-9-2013 @ 8:57

     We toy with the idea of going down to Granite Rapids, but no one is excited about that, especially considering that it might rain again at any time.  The guided group in the overhang spot back at Hermit Creek pulls into camp this afternoon and then heads to the rapids.  A little later a solo hiker makes his way into camp, having come from Boucher Creek.  Tomorrow he is headed to Phantom Ranch, which makes for a fifteen mile day.  That's two pretty long days in a row.  We are going to Horn Creek tomorrow for a dry camp.

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