Today I saw only one other person while I was hiking. That gentleman happened to be a minute away from the road. Yesterday I only saw two other people during my hike. Of course there's a reason why the crowded areas are crowded. Easy access and maintained trails are one factor. Another is that those places happen to be crowded because they're very scenic. I have nothing against them. Of course I usually visit those very places. But there's something very nice about spending a day in the park and feeling as though I have it to myself.

I spent the day in Gifford Canyon and Upper Pine Creek. I finished by trekking through the section of Clear Creek just past the flooded slot where I turned around yesterday. I continued up to the flooded section just upstream from Gifford Canyon. I had planned on catching the afternoon light in the eastern area, but hazy clouds had moved in by that time. There didn't seem to be much point in trying to catch bad light.

Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow. Depending on when it arrives and how much there is, that could present some interesting opportunities. It also means and end to hiking in washes and canyons that are subject to flash floods. I saw tree trunks lodged fifteen feet above the floor of some slots.

Oh and that solitude thing? Don't expect any when you're waiting for sunrise at this location.