We are up a little earlier this morning and get away just after eight o'clock.  Bianca has already hiked 2.2 miles from Cedar Spring and just happens to arrive at the Salt Creek trail sign as we are leaving.  She is the only hiker I have ever seen who does not wear any socks.  She quickly leaves us far behind and fades out of sight.

Looking north from the Salt Creek campsites 10-17-2017 @ 8:03	Richard and Bianca at the trail sign 10-17-2017 @ 8:04

     We slowly make our way out of the Salt Creek drainage and, after about an hour, get our first view of the Colorado River today. 

Looking back toward Salt Creek 10-17-2017 @ 8:17	Our first view of the River 10-17-2017 @ 8:56	Tower of Set 10-17-2017 @ 8:59

     In another half-hour, we are rounding Dana Butte, named for the famous American geologist, James Wright Dana.  Around 1919, one entrepreneur proposed an aerial tramway connecting Hopi Point, Dana Butte, and Tower of Set to complement the one going down to the old Hermit Camp.  While technically feasible, it never came to be.

Dana Butte 10-17-2017 @ 9:36	Dana Butte 10-17-2017 @ 9:42

     We can now see Horn Creek in the distance.  After looping around to the west, we cross over a small drainage and arrive at Horn Creek.  Bianca is just leaving Horn Creek as we are approaching.  When I camped here in 2006, you could still see the Orphan Mine super-structure up on the rim.  The Park Service has since removed that.

Approaching Horn Creek 10-17-2017 @ 10:16	Looking up to the South Rim from Horn Creek 10-17-2017 @ 10:16

     We decide to take an extended break here.  This is a very nice little campsite.  I have camped here twice before.

Relaxing at Horn Creek 10-17-2017 @ 10:51	Horn Creek campsite 10-17-2017 @ 10:51	Horn Creek campsite 10-17-2017 @ 10:52

     The hiking today has been much easier than it was yesterday because the terrain is considerably flatter than it was going from Monument Creek to Salt Creek.  Zoroaster Temple is the dominant feature on the north side of the River.

Zoroaster Temple 10-17-2017 @ 11:37	Zoroaster Temple 10-17-2017 @ 11:53

     Pretty soon we are approaching the Plateau Point Trail.  The Park Service used to have a sign next to the Tonto West sign warning of the dangers of drinking the radiation tainted water at Horn Creek because it was below the Orphan Mine, an abandoned uranium mine.  I guess if you drink the water now you will only glow softly at night.

Approaching the Plateau Point Trail 10-17-2017 @ 11:53	Tonto Trail sign 10-17-2017 @ 11:55	Almost to Indian Garden 10-17-2017 @ 12:11

     We see Bianca one last time as we pull into Indian Garden.  As fast as she was on the trail, I'm sure she has been here for some time.  With the crummy itinerary the Backcountry Office saddled her with, she still has to hike up to the South Rim today.

	Bianca at Indian Garden 10-17-2017 @ 12:16

     We get a nice campsite, have lunch, and relax the rest of the afternoon.  You sure get spoiled here with a covered picnic table and running water.  The picnic tables are all new, courtesy of donations from several groups and individuals.

Our campsite at Indian Garden 10-17-2017 @ 12:24	A new picnic table at Indian Garden 10-17-2017 @ 3:39

Richard's bivy at Indian Garden 10-17-2017 @ 3:40	My tent at Indian Garden 10-17-2017 @ 3:40	Our campsite at Indian Garden 10-17-2017 @ 3:40

     Tomorrow we are hiking out to the South Rim.

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