Per Reference 1, I (Wayne) got up at 4:30 AM on May 16, 1991 [at Campground on South Rim]; I had breakfast and picked up my camp. I drove to the Bright Angel trailhead. I was hiking at 5:30 AM. My objective was to hike to “Plateau Point” on the Tonto Plateau, which is a ~12 mile hike round trip.
I took a quart of water (1 and 1/2 quarts or 2 may have been better). There are some watering spots along the trail. I did not have a small ruck sack, so I took a backpack that was mostly empty. Do not forget your sunglasses [like I did on this hike].
I reached Plateau Point at 8:00 AM. It had a nice view looking down at the river.
Cactus flowers were in bloom. I saw a deer [reference 1], desert bighorn sheep, and a lot of small lizards on the plateau. I headed back up the trail at 8:30 AM and stopped for pictures several times.
I was at the Indian Garden around 9:15 AM; I put sunscreen on again.
I headed up the steep part, and took advantage of shade along this part of the trail. The climb up was warm during the final hour of the hike. I passed several mule trains, which was a little tricky, because I was on the outer edge of the trail.
I stopped for water at one of the 3 huts along the trail. I reached the top at 11:30 AM. It was about 85 degrees part way up the trail. On the Plateau, I believe it was 80 deg. at 9:00 AM. I was feeling the heat at “the point”, and I was glad I got an early start. I thought I made good time.
I went to the general store and bought some food, including some fresh fruit, and 2 classic cokes.
References:
1. Wayne’s Outdoor Journal
Note 1: The “Arizona" web page can be viewed by selecting Sitemap->States (US)->Arizona from menu bar at top.
Note 2: The “Grand Canyon Trip -1991" web page can be viewed by selecting Sitemap->States (US)->Arizona->Grand Canyon Trip - 1991 from menu bar at top.
Note 3: Related pics from this trip can be viewed by selecting Sitemap->Sport of Track & Field->My Photos of the Pac-10 Track & Field Championships - 1991 from menu bar at top.
