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| Hiking | 11.10 Miles |
1,717 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.10 Miles | 5 Hrs 33 Mns | | 2.13 mph |
| 1,717 ft AEG | 20 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Day 2: AZT #43 SOBO Out-and-Back from AZ/UT border
Roughly an hour drive from Kanab to the AZT Northern terminus and we were ready to hit the trail. Unfortunately we were greeted by a light haze of smoke which appeared to have wafted up House Rock Canyon overnight.
Thankfully after the half-mile meadow crossing the climb up the seemingly never-ending switch-backs brought us above the haze, which we would be free from the rest of the day.
The climb itself was pretty much blah as we passed through nothing but dead trees and dry grass. Would have been a blur rather than blah if only we had been moving as fast as we would on the downhill return leg.
Whew! Finally the long climb is over and we have a welcome change in terrain and scenery. While the geology in the canyons was interesting enough that I took a few more photos than yesterday, now that I look back on it the majority were "snapshots-in-the-mind" rather than actual photos.
Upon reaching our turn-around point at Larkum Canyon Road we decided to stop for lunch... if only the was a semi-smooth rock or two to sit on, shade and a light breeze and we'd be good. And wonder of wonders, barely a quick glance around, a short 50 yard jaunt off-trail and we found the perfect spot.
Yes, today we DID remember to remove our footwear for welcome foot relief.
(I alternate between two pair of boots from one hike to the next to help combat the near-constant numbness/nerve pain in my toes)
We had not stopped to check out the game tank earlier so we made the obligatory stop on the return trip. For whatever reason I enjoyed the return trip more than expected... could be we were traveling NE instead of SW? Who knows?
Once we reached the saddle above the never-ending switchbacks the Vermilion Cliffs were no longer viewed through a smoke haze, so I did take a few more photos.
About halfway down the switchbacks we met a SOBO through-hiker who had just started his trek. We thought it a bit weird he was starting so late in the day but then what-do-we-know?
We had noticed two other sets of very fresh boot-tracks along the way which after Tracey checked the trail log upon our return we realized they had left before us.
Spoiler: We will meet all three SOBO through-hikers again in the future.
Temps: 66°/76° |
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