Keith and I meet at Lipan Point about 7:45.  After packing all our gear and getting our picture taken, we start down just after 8:15.  The trail quickly begins its plunge into the inner Canyon via numerous switchbacks.  The descent is considerably easier than when I did it this spring in six inches of snow.

Richard and Keith at Lipan Point 10-13-2007 @ 8:06	Tanner trailhead 10-13-2007 @ 8:18

     The views looking down Canyon are really good.  After you have descended a while, a look back to the trailhead reveals just how steep the initial descent is.  It is almost vertical at the top.

Inner Canyon view 10-13-2007 @ 8:41	View back to the trailhead 10-13-2007 @ 9:28	View back to the trailhead 10-13-2007 @ 10:56

     Like my hike last week, there are not many blooming plants this time of year, but there are still plenty of the standard desert plants.

Agave 10-13-2007 @ 9:52	Mormon Tea 10-13-2007 @ 9:52

     Keith and I take a break upon reaching Stegosaurus Rock.  A few minutes later a mother and daughter from Montana and Seattle hiking up from the Redwall stop for a break also.

	Mother and daughter 10-13-2007 @ 10:32

     We pass Escalante Butte and start the long, flat stretch on the two loops that eventually go by Cardenas Butte. 

Escalante Butte 10-13-2007 @ 10:50	Cardenas Butte 10-13-2007 @ 11:38

     We are directly adjacent to the Desert View Watchtower.  It's easy to see why Mary Jane Colter selected this location for her tower.  It has a magnificent view to the north and down the Tanner Trail into the inner Canyon.

Desert View Watchtower Wide angle lens 10-13-2007 @ 12:17	Desert View Watchtower Partial zoom 10-13-2007 @ 12:17	Desert View Watchtower Full zoom 10-13-2007 @ 12:18

     We meet an out of state solo hiker who went down the Tanner, west on the Escalante, and tried to go up the New Hance.  He somehow got disoriented at the small stream about two miles above Hance Rapids, later became lost, and decided it would be best to return to the rim by the exact route he came down.  Wow!  Needless to say, he is now off permit by three days and probably out of food.  Keith and I pull into camp around 1:00 and relax the rest of the afternoon.  It is a little windy, so we decide to take the sites next to the Redwall and not on top at the point.  There are still great views of the river from here.

Richard's tent at the Redwall 10-13-2007 @ 1:52	Keith's tent at the Redwall 10-13-2007 @ 2:14	River view from the Redwall 10-13-2007 @ 4:12

     About 3:30, a group of four hikers comes through headed for Tanner Rapids.  One of the guys is really dragging, so I'll be surprised if he makes it all the way to the bottom tonight.  Later that evening we meet a husband and wife from Flagstaff who have come from Tanner Rapids to camp at the Redwall also.  She teaches at the Grand Canyon School at the South Rim.

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