The section of the Tonto Trail between Indian Garden (the junction with the Bright Angel Trail) and Hermit Camp is probably the second most frequently travelled section of the Tonto, the first being the prior section. This section of Tonto is used to form another popular loop hike, that being the Hermit/Tonto/Bright Angel loop. Most people doing this trek will come down the Hermit Trail and go up the Bright Angel Trail primarily because there is always water available at Indian Garden whereas there is none near the Hermit/Tonto trail junction unless you want to go all the way to Hermit Creek and then back.

This section of the Tonto Trail is about 12 miles long and is almost as easy to follow as the section between the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails. The only difference here being that some of the drainages that this section of the trail crosses, are deeper and wider than any encountered in the prior section.

The Tonto Trail continues west just north of Indian Garden by branching off to the left of the trail going out to Plateau Point. It climbs somewhat as it slowly curves away from the Plateau Point Trail and beings to head off in a more westerly direction. This section of the trail provides some very nice views of Cheops Pyramid over on the other side of the river. In about 2½ miles you come to Horn Creek, the first of three major drainages crossed by this section of the Tonto. There is nothing particularly tricky about following the trail through the drainages. Just keep an eye out for the cairns marking the route out on the other side as you descend into them. Horn Creek splits into two drainages in its back end, hence the name, and you must descend and climb out of each - no major climbing involved. The Sierra Club Totebook Hiking the Grand Canyon claims that seasonal water is available in Horn Creek. I was advised by someone once before not to take water out of this creek even if it is present because it could be contaminated by the old uranium mine which is located just above it on the rim.

Beyond Horn Creek you've got another 4¾miles to Salt Creek which also has seasonal water. The stretch of trail between Horn and Salt Creeks is very nice and the views of Isis Temple on the other side of the inner gorge are awesome. There are some awesome views down-river as you approach Salt Creek. Once past these viewpoints the trail turns south and begins to head back along Salt Creek until it finally reaches a point where you cross to the other side. I remember the climb into and out of this being a bit more rugged than Horn Creek but still nothing major. I didn't spot the cairn marking the ascent out and headed down the creek bed instead. After a minute or so I doubled back and located the right path out. The west side of the Salt Creek drainage is considerably steeper than the east side and is very impressive.

From Salt Creek to Monument Creek is about 3½ miles and about midway along this is the Cedar Spring campsite. Monument Creek has perennial water. This section of the trail provides some of the best scenery along the route. The Tower of Set and Horus Temple dominate the view on the other side of the river and from the northernmost point of the trail, after leaving Salt Creek, but before reaching Cedar Spring, you get a very nice view of the Granite Rapids, the head of the Monument Creek drainage and Hermit Rapids further on down the river. If you are heading down Monument Creek to Granite Rapids than that will probably be the most challenging part of your hike which still isn't saying much. It's a climb but that's about all - nothing tricky. Following the creek the 1 1/2 miles from the junction with the Tonto Trail to Granite Rapids is pretty easy and Granite Rapids is a very nice place to camp.

Continuing west the Tonto Trail contours above the Monument Creek drainage and Cope Butte to its west detouring around a couple of minor side drainages along the way. This stretch is only about 1 1/4 miles and is over shortly after you pass the north face of Cope Butte. The trail climbs up over a little saddle on the west side of Cope Butte and reaches the junction with the Hermit Trail on the other side.
 

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