[Day 8] San Francisco Peaks

I was packed up and hiking around 7am in the 30°F morning air. Today was a gradual, 17-mile ascent adjacent to San Francisco Mountain. The San Francisco Peaks — Humphreys, Agassiz, and Fremont — are on the rim of what was once a large volcano.

The Fall foliage of the aspens was excellent today, especially above 8,000 feet. By 1pm, I had 17 miles done and finished the climbing to 9,000 feet. I passed the Arizona Snowbowl, a small ski spot on the side of Humphreys peak.

I walked through the tailwinds of a controlled burn for a few miles. At my last water source of the day, 20 miles in, I came across a hopeful AZT hiker who was headed north from Flagstaff, intending to hit the Utah border and then hike the entire trail south including the 200 miles from Utah back to Flagstaff. Being from Minnesota and never having done a long hike before, he was seeing issues — not finding water sources and running out of water, carrying extremely heavy gear, and only walking 10 or so miles a day. Going 10 miles a day, he has 10 days ahead to the Grand Canyon, and I was fairly concerned for him food-wise and water-wise. I gave him as much advice as I could, and left him my phone number should he need advice. Snow won’t start flying until late November, but, at his rate, it may take him 40 days to get back to Flagstaff.

I took three liters from my last source and made my way towards Flagstaff. I decided not to make the push into town today, so I camped just before the urban trail that leads in town. This greenway is seen as the proper hiker route, whereas the trail around town is known more as an equestrian route, though people hike it. Considering I’m on a timeline, I’ll happily go direct through town and save some miles.

Signing off,

Zeppelin

“Freak on a Leash”