.jpg "Amy on silver bridge Bright Angel trail GRCA NP AZ")
Amy on Silver BridgeWe said good bye to new made friends from the trail and Phantom Ranch. Our third day on the trail, we headed for the Silver Suspension Bridge to cross the Colorado River and begin our ascent to Indian Garden camp.
.jpg "CO R GRCA NP AZ")
Downstream Colorado RiverBefore the completion of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 the Spanish named Rio de Colorado carried as much as 380,000 tons (345,000 metric tons) of sediment per day. Today, the river carries only about 40,000 tons (36,300 metric tons) daily. This has caused erosion where deposition should occur.
.jpg "CO R GRCA NP AZ")
Upstream – Silver and Black BridgesThe Black Bridge was completed in 1928 allowing people, and mules, to easily cross the Colorado River. The Silver Bridge was constructed in the late 1960s to support the pipeline carrying water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim.
.jpg "Big-horn sheep GRCA NP AZ")
Desert Bighorn Sheep along Colorado RiverOnly my second sighting of the Bighorn and my first photos! From the South Rim these acrobats are frequently seen jumping from one skimpy ledge to another along the canyon walls. They can scramble up a sheer cliff face at 15mph (24 kmph).
.jpg "Devils Corkscrew Bright Angel trail GRCA NP AZ")
Devils Corkscrew along Bright Angel trailAfter 1.6 miles (2.4 km) of relatively easy River Trail we began to climb 1360 feet (414 m) over 3.1 miles (5 km) to Indian Garden Camp by way of the appropriately named Devils Corkscrew back through the Vishnu Schist and desert environment.
.jpg "Vishnu schist GRCA NP AZ")
Schist with granite and quartz intrusionsOnce I got a pace going I didn’t stop very often to take photos.
.jpg "Indian Garden camp GRCA NP AZ")
Indian Garden CampAfter we’d set up camp at Indian Garden we had time to explore the area.
.jpg "Johnson Jumper spider GRCA NP AZ")
Johnson JumperSeveral seep springs in the area provide adequate water for the large Cottonwoods.
.jpg "Jan Garden Creek GRCA NP AZ")
Jan along Garden CreekAnd the same creek that watered crops for people from the past offered respite for us.
.jpg "Jan & Amy Plateau Pt trail GRCA NP AZ")
Jan and AmyAfter we had dinner, prepared by Jan, we took another hike to watch the sunset at Plateau Point. No we aren’t masochists; this was only 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip, almost level and no packs.
I'm loving all these pictures you're posting! That bridge is way cool.
Nice post with beautiful shots !! Simply beautful and lovely place !! Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan
Heart stopping. Favourites are the bridge [great composition girl] and number five took my breath away. What must it be like to see it for real?
Stacey and Her Mom spent the night last night at a lodge on the south Rim of the Grand Canyon. There were a few snow flakes in the air yesterday and the day before. Winter in the high desert has arrived.
I remember seeing a bighorn sheep with Stacey when we hiked a portion of the south side of the canyon's bottom. It was chewing away as it sat in the shade up on a nearby ledge.
Happy Trails Always……
Stacey and Her Mom spent the night last night at a lodge on the south Rim of the Grand Canyon. There were a few snow flakes in the air yesterday and the day before. Winter in the high desert has arrived.
I remember seeing a bighorn sheep with Stacey when we hiked a portion of the south side of the canyon's bottom. It was chewing away as it sat in the shade up on a nearby ledge.
Happy Trails Always……
Magnificent sights and views. You took the trip slowly enough to enjoy all aspects, which is a great way to do it.
I like the tent… does it have a basement? 😉
I would love to see this in person but since that is not in the near future really appreciate you showing us! Great post.
So exciting you got your first big horn shot!
I just listened to a book, In the Heart of the Canyon, about a river trip through the Grand Canyon. Have you done that as well?
Amazing photos once again.
Sounds like another great day. I love the photos of the bridge and the Big Horn Sheep is cool. Congrats on your sighting.
Great photos.
I am enjoying every step of the way Gaelyn. Thanks for this wonderful post and congrats on your first pic of the Bighorn. 🙂
Have I mentioned before that I wish I could be there hiking with you?
I enjoy very much living vicariously through your blog, Gaelyn. Keep it comin'!
I'm always looking for bighorn sheep. I've seen them 3 times now. I swear they hide from me.
That composition with Silver Bridge is wonderful! Lucky you – a Bighorn! The campsite at Indian Gardens brings back memories.
This hike is just getting more and more interesting. And it's great that you got to take a pic of one of those goats.
Congrats on the bighorn catch. They sound like amazing climbers….
Apparently it's been two weeks since I've been here! A lot of catch-up! (How you do this on dial-up is beyond me!) My favorite thing here is the bridge!