Getting to the Top

  We left Bright Angel Campground at a fairly early hour (6:45 a.m)
and the wind, which had started a couple of hours after our arrival at the bottom of the canyon, continued to blow.  It was cool and I found the trip out very easy.  The trails are so well travelled that finding footing is never an issue, although we did get to cross a couple of small creeks on rocks (always a challenge to me).  We made good time getting to the top.  The lower part of the walk is simply perfect - the first 30 minutes follows the Colorado and then the hike up into Indian Garden is so interesting - it's basically Indian Garden all the way.  I didn't expect to be following a stream (perhaps this only happens in spring) but the redbud (pictured at right) was in bloom, the sound of the creek, small waterfalls, birds and insects all combined to make this hike a highlight of days with a pack on my back (which was pretty light on the way up).  Even the hordes of day hikers weren't that bad until the last 1.5 miles.