by Melanie McManus | Apr 10, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Wednesday, April 10, 2019This trail is trying to kill me. Or make me give up. I will not!Last night was supposed to be 15 degrees, but thank goodness it was much warmer. I didn’t even wear my hat or gloves until close to morning.Today was chilly and windy, just as...
by Melanie McManus | Apr 12, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Friday, April 12, 2019Another frigid night, but I used my system with the emergency blanket and I stayed warm all night — and no moisture on my quilt!Quick note: I’ve heard planes almost every night on this trail, but tonight the planes and helicopters were almost...
by Melanie McManus | Apr 8, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Monday, April 8, 2019Brian picked me up at 8. I decided against borrowing his snowshoes based on other hiker reports. He dropped me off of the outskirts of Flagstaff at 8:30, plus offered to drop off four boxes at the post office for me. He even offered to pick me up...
by Melanie McManus | Apr 9, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Tuesday, April 9, 2019This is the hardest stretch of trail — Flagstaff to the South Rim — and I wish it was over! It’s hard because you can’t get off, so it’s 5-6 days of hiking and camping. Yuck on going so long without a shower, plus carrying food for that long is...
by Melanie McManus | Apr 6, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Saturday, April 6, 2019Ed had to catch a morning flight home out of Phoenix, so he dropped me off at the trailhead at 6:30 a.m. Yawn! It was sad to see him go, but I need to finish this on my own, just as I started it.Today’s hike took me through the Anderson...
by Melanie McManus | Apr 4, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Thursday, April 4, 2019Brrr! We woke up to chunks of ice in our water bottles and frost on our tent. But it helped to have Ed in there with me. It really didn’t feel that cold.Today we both hiked close to 9 miles to the end of Happy Jack. A trail angel had left...
