ALL HIKERS

DAY 3: BRIGHT ANGEL CAMPGROUND TO INDIAN GARDEN

    

     I meet Mark and Jodie at the canteen at 5:30 for breakfast.  After another great meal, they head on up the trail while I pack my gear.  I cross the Silver Suspension Bridge and see that the River is starting to clear up a little.  It had been flowing a muddy brown color a few days ago.

The Silver Suspension Bridge
3-19-2015 @ 6:47
The Silver Suspension Bridge
3-19-2015 @ 6:51
The Colorado River
3-19-2015 @ 6:51

     As I round the corner, I get one more view of both bridges and continue on this very sandy part of the trail.

Both Bridges
3-19-2015 @ 6:53
Schott's Yucca
3-19-2015 @ 7:00

     For the first time in my hiking career, I see two Condors eating on something just a few feet off the trail.  I stand as still as possible so as to not scare them while I take a lot of pictures.  They are both tagged and seem quite healthy.  I notice that their heads are different colors.  I wonder if that means one is a male and one is a female.  Several more people come up behind me and also get to see this special treat.

Condors
3-19-2015 @ 7:08
Condor
3-19-2016 @ 7:06
Condor
3-19-2015 @ 7:11
Condors
3-19-2015 @ 7:07
Condor
3-19-2015 @ 7:10
Condors
3-19-2015 @ 7:07

     Then it's on up the trail where I make the turn uphill at the restroom.  I wonder if anyone ever uses the rest house that is here on the other side of the creek.  I normally just sit down to rest on a rock wall this side of the creek.

Restroom
3-19-2015 @ 7:27
River Rest House
3-19-2015 @ 7:28
Creek by the rest house
3-19-2015 @ 7:28

     It's no fun going up the Devils Corkscrew, but at least it's fairly cool this early.  I meet up with Mark and Jodie and we continue to the top where we get each other's picture.

   
  The Devils Corkscrew
3-19-2015 @ 8:41
 
Mark and Jodie above the Corkscrew
3-19-2015 @ 8:45
The Devils Corkscrew
3-19-2015 @ 8:42
Richard above the Corkscrew
3-19-2015 @ 8:45

     I really like this next section of trail above the Corkscrew going into Indian Garden.  It is very pretty with the ledges on one side and the creek flowing on the other side.

Trail above the Corkscrew
3-19-2015 @ 9:08
Small waterfall above the Corkscrew
3-19-2015 @ 9:08
Redbird tree
3-19-2015 @ 9:14

     I offer Mark and Jodie a chance to sleep on the ground at my campsite, but they continue to the top.  I'm glad I don't have to do any more hiking today.  I set up my tent and take a nap.

The sign to Indian Garden
3-19-2015 @ 9:22
My tent on night three at Indian Garden
3-19-2015 @ 11:56

     This afternoon I discover that the Park Service has been cutting cottonwood trees up here too.

Cut down cottonwood tree
3-19-2015 @ 12:47
Cut down cottonwood tree
3-19-2015 @ 12:48
Cut down cottonwood tree
3-19-2015 @ 12:48

     Rob (of the www.wildernessvagabond.com) is here with some other volunteers doing work on the Ranger Station.  They have put in new flooring in one of the bedrooms and painted the outside of the building.  We gather at their campsite for a small party.

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