Saturday, September 16, 2006. Drove up to Grand Canyon intending to dayhike both weekend days. Stopped at BCO on a lark, not expecting to find any choice backcountry permits available on a walk-up basis. To my surprise, was able to obtain two nights (Sat. and Sun.) on Horseshoe Mesa. This was a delight for several reasons: First, in 2005 my permit for this area was re-routed following the washout of Grandview Trail, so I had not yet camped there. Second, Horseshoe Mesa is accessed via a relatively easy descent, making it a good launching pad for dayhikes in the surrounding canyons (Hance and Cottonwood). Third, it offers designated campsites; and fourth, the campsites have a toilet.
Set off down the trail at 4pm and cleared the "tourists" by 4:10pm. With one stop for photos, I was on the Mesa at 6pm. Set camp in the northeastern-most of the three designated sites. One other camp was in use by two campers, but they were set up when I arrived and we didn't interact. I left for dayhiking early the next morning without seeing them again.
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