March 2005 -  we stayed at the south rim and took a day hike halfway down to Indian Gardens.

The views from the rim are magnificent and the size is just overwhelming. But if you take a dayhike all the way Down, or at least halfway, you get to see plants, succulents and various Birds. Of course squirrels are following you as well, desiring some nuts or bread crumps. But we also got to see a condor.

Even in April the scenic Spots were packed with tourists. And on the hike Down we were still joined by a high number of hikers. From Indian Gardens however the view to the Colorado is completely different and you can almost smell the water. Geat!

The trail is shared with Mules that you can ride Down and up again. We observed a rather antipodous  woman, that refused to ride on the Donkey back up again and was taken a Hand off a Ranger. For us the steep climp was strenous and took a few hours. Back up again we saw a helicopter towing the woman back up again. What an adventure she must have had. Great experienience for me as well.

 

In the Photo I marked the spot we hiked to!