Since we are traveling farther today than yesterday, we decide to get around and leave a little early.  We soon reach the large boulder you have to climb over to keep from getting your feet wet.

	A large boulder to cross 4-10-2014 @ 7:03

Just around the corner is the pretty pool of water and ledges you have to pass.

Pool of water 4-10-2014 @ 7:11	Limestone ledges 4-10-2014 @ 7:19	Limestone ledges 4-10-2014 @ 7:20

     Jonathan and I are showing Keith what a white Sacred Datura flower looks like, but, upon closer inspection, it turns out to be a Stemless Primrose.

Scarlet Penstemon 4-10-2014 @ 7:46	Stemless Primrose 4-10-2014 @ 7:47

     Jonathan gets an interesting picture of Keith and me with our reflection in a pool of water.

	Richard and Keith 4-10-2014 @ 8:54

     We pass several chock stone and boulder obstacles as we make our way up Canyon.

An obstacle to get past 4-10-2014 @ 9:36	On top the obstacle 4-10-2014 @ 9:41

     Jonathan is using a brand new Osprey backpack on this hike.  His mesh pockets, like Keith's, have taken quite a beating with all the sliding over and down rocks we have done.  I tell them how last year my pack's mesh pockets were also completely torn through.  I took my pack to a lady in my hometown who does sewing for us.  She replaced the thin mesh pockets with a solid yet flexible material that is quite durable.  Jonathan and Keith are envious and are considering mailing their packs to me for repairs.

	Richard's mesh pack pocket 4-10-2014 @ 10:13

     There is one more large chock stone to get past.  I'm having a difficult time getting my boot to grip the steep slick rock surface on this chock stone, so Keith holds my foot in place while I climb the rock.  I then help the others reach the top.

Keith by a large chock stone 4-10-2014 @ 10:39	Richard scaling the chock stone 4-10-2014 @ 10:41

     Pretty soon we reach the cairn that marks the spot to start the steep climb up to the bypass area.  There is a little scrambling required to reach the upper trail.  We then stop for lunch under an overhang area.  It is hot today and we are glad to be in the shade.

Cairn marking the climb up 4-10-2014 @ 11:27	Keith climbing up 4-10-2014 @ 11:43	Lunch under an overhang 4-10-2014 @ 11:58

     After lunch, we pass our packs under the bypass bush and make our way down to the large pouroff.  In a few more minutes, we reach the spot where we camped on night one.  Jonathan is going to do a day hike to the east up the north arm of the creek while Keith and I rest here in the shade.  We agree that Jonathan will return within two hours.

The bypass bush 4-10-2014 @ 12:27	Nearly to the pouroff 4-10-2014 @ 12:34	Our first night's camp spot 4-10-2014 @ 1:05

     Jonathan returns promptly at 3:00 and we get under way.  We are going to try and move up Canyon about one hour and hopefully find those same water potholes we saw coming down.  We have a couple of large pouroff obstacles to get past that are a little challenging.

A large pouroff obstacle 4-10-2014 @ 3:42	Flowering cactus 4-10-2014 @ 3:57	Another large pouroff 4-10-2014 @ 4:10

     We meet a couple who have just come down the Moqui Steps.  They report our blue webbing is still in place.  It would be doable, but not fun, to climb the Steps without a hand line.  The couple also reports some water just a little ways on up.  We reach a slick rock area with some nice pothole water and decide to spend the night here.  The Rabbit Hole area is visible up at the rim.  The flies are bad, so I'm going to set up my tent tonight.

Looking up at the Rabbit Hole 4-10-2014 @ 5:10	Richard's tent 4-10-2014 @ 5:48	Keith's tent 4-10-2014 @ 5:49

     We all agree to get up early tomorrow morning, so we can get to the rim before it gets hot.

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