Grand Canyon hike, day 5

 December 14, 2020

Today I headed up the Bright Angel Trail to camp at Indian Gardens. The first time we came to the canyon we hiked BA all the way to the rim, but we weren't carrying camping gear or heavy packs. I wasn't in any hurry so staying at IG makes the trip a lot easier, and it gives you the bonus of being able to hike out to Plateau Point which IMO is the best view in the canyon.

The first two miles are actually not on the Bright Angel Trail. When you cross the silver bridge you are on the River Trail until it ends at the base of BA. This is looking back toward the campground and Phantom Ranch. You can see the silver bridge and then the black bridge beyond it at the base of the SK. The water pipeline of the south rim crosses the river under the silver bridge.


Another view from the River Trail.

Here's where the BA trail begins.

After about a mile you arrive here, and this is where the real fun begins. This is the bottom of a section called the Devil's Corkscrew, a series of switchbacks that take you out of the inner canyon and onto the Tonto Plateau.

Here's the view from the top of the Devil's Corkscrew looking back at where you're just been.



Once out of the Corkscrew you pass thru a section called the Tapeats Narrows, named after the Tapeats Sandstone it passes thru. This little waterfall is a nice landmark along the way.


The Indian Gardens Campground is a great place to spend a night, and a good base for the hike out to Plateau Point. There is a permanent population of deer, including this fellow that didn't want to get out of the way. Remember, my only lens was a wide angle so he's closer than he looks.



 

If you make it to Indian Gardens you owe it to yourself to make the hike out to Plateau Point. The trail is essentially level from IG and the view of the river is spectacular. Along the way you're walking above the Tapeats Narrows section of the trail that brought you up to IG.


When you arrive at Plateau Point you're at the edge of a sheer drop-off 1000+ feet above the river. You can also see a section of the Devil's Corkscrew way down below.





Looking back you can see IG (the green spot in the center) and in the original you can see several of the switchbacks of the BA that will take you up and out to the south rim.


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