Day 2 of Indian Garden Hike
We get to our Indian Garden campsite later in the afternoon, just when the neighbors are watching a Grand Canyon Rattlesnake out looking for dinner along a rock wall next to the campsites downwind.
A local lizard a few feet away is pretty pissed off with the unwelcome visitor.
Our campsite is the last in the campground and finally we find it ( after first trying a grassy flat spot under some trees, and then feeling water seeping under our feet). There's plenty of time after setting up the tent to go for a hike out onto the Tonto Plateau way out to the Lookout. So off we go.
At the railing we meet Bill and have a good chat. He's out exploring by himself for a couple of days and is planning to fly back home soon - he still has time for a few good hikes before rejoining his daughter!
The Colorado River is still more than 100 storeys below. To get there, you'd have to backtrack 1.5 miles to Indian Garden and then take a 3.5 mile trail a different way.
Here's another 3-D view. Look straight at it from the centerline, cross your eyes and wait for a 3rd picture to start floating right in the middle.
After an hour's walk, we're back at Indian Garden and meet a delightful and well spoken gent from Prescott Valley AZ. Daniel shares some great stories with us, and is very glad to be out in Nature getting his exercise.
Happy Trails Daniel!
Next morning we enjoy the sunrise and breakfast before packing up to head back to the top. One of our camping neighbors has some crutches to help on trail. I'm guessing they go back up today, but then again, maybe they plan to go to the bottom. It would sure build arm muscles all the way back from Phantom Ranch.
More power to them to be out and about!
Looking uptrail from Indian Garden. It's gonna be another nice hot sunny day.
A while later, a group of hikers is helping one of their group come back up from Indian Garden.
IF they can stay cool and watered, and go slowly, they may not need a Park Service rescue and burrow ride.
A long telephoto view of Indian Garden
Solar composting toilets work very well. Note the solar panels downhill left of the trail.
Part way up, there's a rattlesnake browsing along the edge of the trail in the rock. It didn't care that people were watching. What's more important is that peeple watch where they walk, and don't just sit without having a look first.
Here's a distant view of Indian Garden from about 3/4 up to the top, in the heat of the day. All the colors washed out.
And here's a telephoto of the Resthouse on the little promontory far below (bottom middle of left side picture).
You can even see the people.
Near the top, a school outing, with lots of exercise. Teachers also help carry the supplies.
Very close to the top, a lady in sandals from a distant land (Philadelphia) asked us how far it was to the bottom. As we explained the distances and descent in terms of miles and hours ( not minutes), we ended up having an unexpected conversation with her and a male relative, as she became animated and distressed at the unwelcome distance information. She was concerned for her husband's health, especially as it was quite hot already, and she thought the heat and exertion might be too much for him. She called urgently to her sons and husband who continued walking downtrail a few hundred yards further - they were within earshot ... if they really wanted to hear.... (they didn't)
After much shouting downtrail to her husband and children, the distant group disappeared around a corner, continuing with their plan, or at least their actions. We left her a few minutes later, having explained that there's water at the first reststop (still a full 1-1/2 miles downtrail), and there's plenty of people on the way, including rangers that will help keep them safe.
Not a great way to have a family outing. Did anyone bother to read the warnings, or take water or a map with them?
(There's a big map and lots of information signs right at the trailhead.)
Another view from the top. We made it.
Now it's time to visit el Tovar, and the Hopi House - a place not to be missed for Native arts and jewellry.
After a lazy day we get ready to head out to Sedona and some Red Rock camping, with a visit to Flagstaff on the way there!
