GC Backcountry (2-day) - we moved slower than planned and it was still a good day

Just got back from GC Backcountry and wrote this while it is still fresh. We went Bright Angel down to river camps with a South Kaibab exit with a 4 people and started around 5:10 AM. Weather: Clear skies gave us big temperature swings between rim and river. Trail: Upper switchbacks held some icy patches before sun hit them. Water: Tap lines moved quickly, still worth filling before exposed climbs. We kept the permit handy and it saved time when someone asked to see it. It felt steady from start to finish. The part that surprised me was how much water carry changed our pace. Gear note: A light wind shell was the perfect layer. Wildlife: Spotted bighorn sheep on lower sections near the river. Scorecard (out of 5): overall 4, difficulty 4, scenery 4, conditions 5.