alison young | alison young • blissful hiker

AZT day 28, Marshall Lake to Flagstaff (urban trail) 15 miles

I walk into Flagstaff with bed bug infested gear, but help is not forthcoming. Still, I manage.

It’s a long day but the trail gets easier and drier with only a glimpse of views.

Mud, snow, a beer before 10 am and a wrong turn make for a fun hiking day.

It’s a long slog through sticky mud but ends in a surprise.

The trail is rocky and steep to the rim right into deep snow drifts then mud.

The storm cleared the air and I walk under the colorful rim on red rock with big clouds overhead.

It’s mostly easy trail but filled with hard-to-walk-on rocks all the way to a shortcut and a ‘zero.’

The views are huge and unspoiled, so remote and almost overwhelming.

The trail winds around deep canyons to stay high with snow, wildflowers, gnats, gorgeous water and a stunning sunset.

I begin the Mazatzals on a gorgeous day, ‘cruisey’ and beautiful as I try to push through before snow.