GC Backcountry (2-day) - crowds picked up fast after sunrise

Quick report from GC Backcountry (Grand Canyon National Park). We went Bright Angel down to river camps with a South Kaibab exit with a group of 3 and started around 6:25 AM. Weather: Clear skies gave us big temperature swings between rim and river. Trail: Stone steps were dry by mid-morning but still rough on knees. Water: We treated every water stop as optional and stayed over-prepared. Permit check: had it pulled up before we hit the busy spots. It felt steady from start to finish. The part that surprised me was how much crowds changed our pace. (it was not dramatic, just constant) Gear note: A light wind shell was the perfect layer. Wildlife: Only small critters around camp, nothing that changed our plan. Ratings: overall 5/5, difficulty 3/5, scenery 4/5, conditions 3/5. Tips - If the trail is muddy, slow down instead of fighting it. - Bring one extra liter if you are unsure about water. - Start earlier than you think if you want space on the first mile.