 We get up at 4:40am to be ready for 5am breakfast |
 and getting on the trail by 5:30 |
 we cross the Colorado on a long foot bridge |
 with nice views |
 but it is a bit spooky |
 we hike along the river for a while |
 then take a break |
 a stream crossing |
 the climbing gets serious |
 waiting in the shade |
 a great place to enjoy the view |
 yeah |
 the great unconformity |
 a billion years is missing |
 it is before 8am, but the sun is already pounding us |
 we keep climbing |
 indian gardens |
 and take a good rest at indian garden |
 some of us are itching to go to plateau point; while most everyone continues out |
 we head onto the tonto platform |
 and hike in desert |
 hanging out at the point |
 we pose |
 we are visited by ravens and a condor |
 nice river views |
 interesting rocks |
 great views in all directions; we head back across the plateau |
 to indian garden |
 and begin the real climb |
 beautiful rock layers |
 climbing with |
 great views |
 a break |
 a ranger keeping Oren under control |
 redwall - red shirt |
 break in the shade...almost there |
 drink...drink...drink! |
 the mules come through one of the tunnels |
 Cliff is the last one out |
 we wait for the bus |
 with great views |
 the bus ride a good time for a nap |