13 miles, easy with a couple of challenges

Today was hard for me after the long day yesterday, but my body felt solid even though I was tired. Dave felt good – he’s stinkin’ tough! We had another beautiful day with warm sunny weather.

There were a few places we had to scramble up or down pour-offs or ledges, one really big one that had me scared just looking. It was the ledge we had to descend into Rustler Canyon. We found a cairn marking an impossible way, but it was actually quite possible. Just at that time we heard a group of hikers approaching below around the canyon bend. They were clearly led by a guide who knew exactly where to go, and we watched them wind up the now possible route, slowing at a climb that looked simple. I, for one, was reassured to see it done, even in the opposite of our direction. Dave, of course, was never worried at all.

TRAIL NOTES: At the pour-off into Rustler Canyon, work around the left side and look for a cairn. You climb down with good hand and foot holds a few feet here at the crack. Then walk down the shale and sandstone to the bottom. Indian Creek has plenty of water and looks reliable. Nice camp spot on slickrock by the creek a hundred yards up the creek.