my campsite at Boucher Creek, on the final morning of a five-day hike of
“The Gems”

The creek throws off a golden reflection in the morning.

looking up toward the Vesta Temple

The Redwall isn’t so red here.

The break in the Redwall is narrow, steep, and fun – probably the most confined and direct of all the official Grand Canyon trails.

There’s some pleasant, sunny, wide-open terrain at the top of the break.

Whites Butte rises dramatically from the somewhat level ground.

the basin of Eremita Mesa, and Yuma Point

Cocopa Point

Travertine Canyon

The Supai traverse involved steadily working my way up its numerous blocks and ledges. Shown here may be the most demanding little section of the entire Boucher Trail.

Oh and there may be a little exposure, too. Some early trail construction is clearly evident here.

Yuma Point, up close and personal

This is Columbus Point, below and to the east of Yuma Point. It affords spectacular, far-reaching views of the canyon.

east

west

I really enjoyed this place, now one of my favorite viewpoints from within the canyon. I guess you could call this my final “moment” of the five-day hike.

This was the last photo I took on the hike, as Drippings Springs lay ahead… famaliar territory where I’d encounter the first human beings I’d speak to since the beginning of the trip. This was my longest excursion into the Grand Canyon to date, and surely an excellent one that I’ll always remember. My ability to do The Gems – solo in June – was a great boost of confidence to go on and try more things throughout the brutal heat of a Grand Canyon summer.