AZT Day 38: San Francisco Peaks

Daily Miles: 28.3, Total Miles: 614.4

Chilly this morning but bright and sunny today – a far cry from yesterday. Once I got out of Flagstaff and above Buffalo Park, the snow and rain yesterday made for a muddy trail.

Quite a few hikers and bikers towards Shultz Pass until I got along the flanks of the San Francisco Peaks. I met Steve and Laura, both hiking an AZT section. They had been caught in the storm yesterday and had to hole up at the Snow Bowl office for awhile. Also met Big Daddy D (BDD), another AZT thru-hiker.

The trail got up to just over 9,000′ elevation near the Snow Bowl, first time back since I learned to ski here many years ago. Nice stands of tall aspen trees just budding out.

I camped near Bismark Lake which has a bit of water left – I stocked up because it will probably be my last source for awhile.

Finished the Hunger Games trilogy – now there’s some serious fiction(?). Seems fitting, however, since I’m usually hungry these days. Don’t worry – I’m not carrying a bow and arrow.

Speaking of hunger, I had Mrs. Haze bring the bathroom scales to Flagstaff for a weigh-in. At 23 pounds lighter, I need a smaller hip belt. But I know I could gain at least half that back very quickly.