Day 3 – River to Garden (Bright Angel)

Last night was amazing. Lying in our tent, we had a full view of more stars than I’ve ever seen and the sound of the river was reminiscent of the waves back home. Of course, I didn’t sleep much. While the bedrolls were very light to carry, they were no match for an air mattress when it comes to comfort. It was hardly better than lying on the bare ground. I also had a lot of throbbing in my big toes and the weight of the (super-light) sleeping bag on them was nearly unbearable. All small costs for such a great experience. This morning, hubby and I were up at first daybreak.

what's the story, morning glory?

what's the story, morning glory?

He got up and went wandering around the campground and I soon joined him.

view from our tent

view from our tent

sun rising over the colorado

sun rising over the colorado

hubby on the bridge to phantom ranch

hubby on the bridge to phantom ranch

shadow us!

shadow us!

A couple hours later, Sylvis and Peach woke and we started the breakfast (oatmeal) and camp break-down processes. Close to noon, we started our ascent of Bright Angel trail.

view from the river trail

view from the river trail

hubby before silver bridge

hubby before silver bridge

sylvis crossing silver bridge

sylvis crossing silver bridge

crossing the colorado

crossing the colorado

The bottom, river portion of the trail was wonderfully level.

looking back over the silver bridge

looking back over the silver bridge

It didn’t take long, however, before we reached some very mild inclines which were, unfortunately, followed by declines. Ugh! My legs and toes are DONE with the downhill motion. There was way more of it in the lower portion of this trail than I would have liked.

peach holding up a pebble

peach holding up a pebble

"oooh, a cave!  let's see what's hungry!"

"oooh, a cave! let's see what's hungry!"

It was also much hotter than I would have liked today. I actually ran out of water (2 liter bladder) about a mile before reaching Indian Garden. Not to worry - hubby (and Peach and Sylvis) had plenty if I had needed it, I must just be more hydration-needy than others. And I was sure that I was evaporating in that heat.

soak up the sun

soak up the sun

flutterby!

flutterby!

The trail was nice though in that it mostly ran along a creek that provided scenery and pleasant sound

sylvis beside a small cascade in the creek

sylvis beside a small cascade in the creek

there were several fords along the trail

there were several fords along the trail

crevices of greenery

crevices of greenery

Despite the heat and lack of shade and steep climb, it was a great hike.

lazy hikers

lazy hikers

a peek of the trail we've already trodden

a peek of the trail we've already trodden

 While my legs and toes were much happier to be going uphill, it was still very tiring. Especially in the heat.

the devil's corkscrew

the devil's corkscrew

zoom on devil's corkscrew (by peach)

zoom on devil's corkscrew (by peach)

view (by peach)

view (by peach)

been out of water a little bit but surely a flowering tree must mean we're close to indian garden, right?

been out of water a little bit but surely a flowering tree must mean we're close to indian garden, right?

another sign of garden

another sign of garden

lush cascade area

lush cascade area

waterfall

waterfall

there are so many different textures in the canyon

there are so many different textures in the canyon

But seeing this sign was such a welcome sight.  Not only is it the ONLY sign we’ve seen in two days, but it means that we have arrived at our destination du jour! 

from whence we've come and to where we're going

from whence we've come and to where we're going

obligatory self-portrait

obligatory self-portrait

It was wonderful to reach the campground and get out my boots again!

indian garden campground/rest area

indian garden campground/rest area

ribbit!

ribbit!

colorful rock around indian gardens

colorful rock around indian gardens

After setting up camp and resting and snacking a bit, we considered going another three miles to see Plateau Point. We walked just a little bit of it, to the first turn where there was a view,

wide open spaces

wide open spaces

me and my hubby

me and my hubby

before deciding to head back to camp.

you lookin' at me?!

you lookin' at me?!

a beautiful tree

a beautiful tree

doe, a deer, a female deer...

doe, a deer, a female deer...

First, I was in flip-flops. Second, we were putting in enough miles without adding to it. Third, hubby has been to Plateau Point before and suggested that if we had just done a day-hike from the rim and were not going any further, it was absolutely a must but since we had already been to the river, it would be nothing new or spectacular. Sold! We returned to our campsite and ate dinner (Mountain House Teriyaki Chicken and Rice for hubby and I – I preferred last night’s lasagna but not because this was not good, I’m just more of an Italian girl than Asian) and dessert (Mountain House Chocolate Strawberry Crunch – same as last night: chocolate pudding with flavored chunks).

home sweet home, for the night

home sweet home, for the night

sylvis baking dessert

sylvis baking dessert

peach slaving over a hot stove

peach slaving over a hot stove

We plan on getting a much earlier start tomorrow so that we can get out of the canyon before it gets too hot.