AZT Day 33: Blue Ridge into Happy Jack

Daily Miles: 24.6, Total Miles: 519.9

Last night about 10pm, I woke up to something peeing right next to my tent. Judging by the noise and duration, it was large – or possibly small with an oversized bladder.

About 15 minutes later, I saw a headlamp bobbing down the AZT about 75 yards away. There goes someone in a big hurry!

I started off down General Springs Canyon and ran into a mountain biker, the one with the headlamp last night, trying to repair a broken derailleur. He’s part of a group racing on the rideable portions of the AZT. A few miles down the trail he blew by me and yelled that the bike was fixed! Unfortunately he also blew by the left turn to the AZT at the next trail junction. He didn’t hear me yell and I didn’t see him again.

I headed into East Clear Creek Canyon, good water, and continued on a relatively flat, pine-covered plateau. Beautiful day – great hiking weather!