CDT Day 52: 2nd Leg from Spring Creek Pass

Daily Miles: 12.2, Total Miles: 854.4

We arrived in Lake City on Sunday, got acclimated and stayed in an old cabin at San Cristobal Lake. We went into town and watched the 7th game of the NBA finals. Wasn’t even upset that I lost a bet (6-pack of his favorite beer) to my brother-in-law. Mrs. Haze and I took a warm-up hike up towards Cataract Lake on Monday. We then lounged around and barbequed a few steaks.

Mrs. Haze and Ellie, our lab, joined me for the first three miles from Spring Creek Pass to Snow Mesa at just over 12,000 ft. Only a few patches of snow left on the mesa. After a sad farewell, I trudged on.

Climbed to today’s high point at 12,700 ft crossing several snow chutes both up and over the Divide into the Mineral Creek drainages. Snow is melting fast!

The bright, sunny morning turned into thundershowers in the afternoon. Stopped just short of San Luis Pass to try to stay dry, at least on the first day of my second leg.

After the AZT, PCT, and first leg of the CDT, this is the first time I haven’t started a long hike from the Mexican border and more desert beginnings. This start is cooler and a bit easier on the feet but much harder on the lungs.