Was a very exciting evening on the trail! During the hike up there was a rattler just off trail wagging it's tail. Everyone stayed away. Then on the way down, I was slighly to the right coming down a gully and discovered one right in front of me. Luckily it gave me plenty of notice and I detoured around as I got a good look at it.

The ultimate was right about the bottom when I looked over to the right and spotted a Gila Monster in the bushes. I was shocked and let out a cry of joy! I have been hiking Az for 10+ years and this is the first live one I've ever seen...saw a dead one in the Salome Jug once. I took a few pics and then headed back to the car with a smile on my face! I don't know if I've just been unlucky or what. Can't believe I haven't see one before.