AZT Day 23: Roosevelt Lake

Daily Miles: 12.4, Total Miles: 361.1

I slept in a bit later than usual. Got up and over the last ridges and descended into Cottonwood Canyon and got water at a nice spring.

Had another encounter with a large rattler coiled up on the trail. I encouraged him to move but he just crawled into a hole on the edge of the trail. He was still rattling albeit a bit muffled. I plugged the hole with my hiking pole and hurried by.

I headed to Roosevelt Lake visitors center for water, lunch and a general cleanup. Then over to the marina for my re-supply box, ice cream and a cold soda. I traded in my worn and tired LaSportiva Raptor trail shoes for a new pair – like the fit and light weight but they wear out fast on this tough rock.

I returned to the trail on a very warm afternoon and walked over the Hwy 188 suspension bridge and up the Vineyard Trail about 1/2 mile to a ridge. Just enough room for my tent with great views of the lake on one side and the dam on the other.