[Day 2] Kaibab Plateau

I made camp last night on a hill, out of the frosty ravines. Nonetheless, the morning temperature was in the mid thirties.

Since the state border, I am on a gentle climb onto and atop the Kaibab Plateau — a nice forgiving beginning to this hike. In a couple days, I’ll be at the AZT’s high point, just before the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Water sources are not so natural, at least not at this point in the season. So far, there have been a couple of “game sources,” which are fenced-off, tank-fed, open-pool supplies. I drank from one murkier cow tire, but thus far everything is cold, tasty, and clear after filtering.

The day started with gentle, undulating hills, dipping into a ravine every mile or so. The junipers of Kaibab National Forest were pleasant, until I passed through about 12 miles of burn area. Later in the day, as around 7,500 feet of elevation, the junipers were exchanged for pine exclusively.

The day wasn’t all too eventful, nor was there much of a view today (understandably, I was atop a forested plateau all day). The arid forests, however, provide some break from the direct desert sunlight and remind me much of the southern Sierra.

I called camp after 30 miles when I came upon a water cache at Murray’s Lake Trailhead. I ate upon a dinner of Poptarts and Santa Fe style chicken, beans, and rice. Oh, and I remembered to brush my teeth before bed!

Tonight, I am cowboy camped under the stars. This trail is off to a promising start.

Signing off,

Zeppelin

“Freak on a Leash”