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Since I didn't have a long distance to go today, I slept in until about 8:00 AM.  I had a leisurely breakfast and drank several cups of coffee before packing up.  Packing up is easy and quick when you don't have a tent to deal with. 

I had almost 1700 feet of elevation to gain to get to the rim.  I could see the route the "trail" takes, but not exactly.  I was surprised that I couldn't remember exactly which part of the talus slope was on the route, or which ledge to use once near the top of the talus.  Without someone else to discuss the route, I was a little concerned that I might end up in the wrong place.  I made my best guess (which ended up being right), and started the long hike up the slope.  I occasionally ran into my old footprints, which was reassuring. 

I think the talus is easier going up than down, primarily because you don't need to constantly break your downward momentum.  But it wasn't much fun.  It wasn't until I got to the top of the talus that I determined which ledge was the correct one.  And even after that there were route finding decisions that were not obvious.  But I eventually made it to the top and my car.  To paraphrase Harvey Butchart:  This route will separate the men from the boys; the boys can do it in two hours, the men will need an extra hour.

Although I enjoyed this hike, I was disappointed not to have found any rock art.   And it is becoming dreadfully obviously to me that difficult off-trail hiking won't be in my future much longer.  I have lost too much strength, agility, and endurance. 

I drove back to Kanab, ate an early dinner, then drove to Page, Arizona where I checked into a motel.