Left the TH at dawn. N-O-B-O-D-Y was on the trail. There was water in the creek and the canyon was greener than I've ever seen it. At the point where the trail crosses the stream for the last time, heading back to the east side, there was enough of a pool to support tadpoles and some wee little frogs. Also, humid. Whenever I stopped I had bugs in my eyes, nose, ears... Passed one group and one solo hiker on the way down.

Driving back out, I saw a pair of roadrunners, a covey of quail, and a large black snake winding across the road.