Indian Gardens is an oasis on the Bright Angel Trail. Deep in Grand Canyon, it has water, shade, bathrooms, and benches. On the way back up to the rim, it's the last flat (relatively speaking) area before one encounters the tortuous switchbacks. On the way out of Indian Gardens, the ground is still of reasonable incline. It's seductive. You know you're already halfway up to the rim from the river (in terms of distance) so you say to yourself, "This isn't so bad, we're halfway home." Of course, one isn't halfway home in terms of exertion. The party has just begun.
