9/18 The South Rim

We drove into the GCNP and got our gear ready for our hike down into the canyon. While packing we met “Memphis Ben”, who was out on his own Westfalia road trip, in a ‘78 Camper. He joined us for the first third of the way down the canyon. Very cool adventure racing enthusiast with loads of VW stories. Ben: Good Story - “One more behind”. Indian Gardens was our destination. We had a 4.6 mile hike down and 3,100 feet in elevation.

The hike down was incredible, every turn add a different look and feel. We reached the campsite by mid-afternoon. After a midday recovery, and a close encounter with a real live rattle snake, we hiked further down the canyon to Plateau Point. The view overlooking the Colorado River and the whole canyon was breathtaking. We hiked back to camp to cook dinner and watch the full moon rise lighting the canyon wall.