I called in sick today. I love the fact that I don't get signal on my blackberry back here. I'm working on a gigantic project and being away from email and people for a day is just about all I could ask for...Not to mention a good excuse to try out my new 10-20mm. I got to the TH right at 9.

The desert was alive. Lizards everywhere. I came across two rattlesnakes coming down garden valley. Right when I hit boulder canyon, I picked up a rock and tossed it into a large pool. The water splashed up and I heard this loud hissssss. WFT!!! A gila monster! I was so excited to see that crazy thing. I pointed my camera at it but it was worthless. I had every surrounding mountain, but I couldn't zero in on it. I had my other lens tucked away in my bag and I wrestled out of my pack as quickly as I could. I swapped lenses and ran back across to try to capture the orange beast. All I got was a butt shot and a couple of dark face shots. The hissing I didn't much like so I got my shots and left him alone. Maybe I'll run into him another day and I'll have a more suitable lens.

After that was maybe the most enjoyable trip up boulder canyon I've had. Frogs everywhere and there is still plenty of running water. I went up the canyon and headed up the long trek over to the stern.

I think I forget how long it takes to get back to the summit. This hike just doesn't get any easier over time. It is always harder than I remember. After dorking around for an hour or so, I made my way back down. I fell a couple of times down the loose stuff and was thankful that the flowering brittlebrush wasn't a cholla cactus. Nothing like a soft landing when you're expecting the worst.

The hike back up garden valley STUNK! It is like 400 feet over a half mile or so, but at the end of the day, it seems so much worse.

I got back to the car at 4 beat to a pulp but happy with my day.

PS...Nothing like trying to post a photoset after Joel (AZPRIDE).