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Previous - May 12th - 13th, 2008 - Detours
The End
(May 14th - Arizona - Utah Border)
It isn’t politically correct for thru hikers to publicly admit these sorts of things, but the hot shower and soft bed at the Jacob Lake Inn felt pretty darned nice. In the morning, Jim and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the restaurant before driving back down Highway 89 to the trailhead. We said our goodbyes and I stepped into the woods and onto the last 28 miles of the Arizona Trail. I would meet Jim at the Utah state line after just one more night under the stars.The last full day on the trail was a good one. Early on, I walked through the last, northern edge of the Kaibab Plateau’s immense Ponderosa pine forest. Several North Kaibab squirrels marked my progress along the forest floor. The day progressed, the plateau slowly lost elevation, the pine forest gave way to juniper and sagebrush, and the tassel-eared squirrels disappeared in favor of dozens of giant jackrabbits.
The Edge of the Kaibab Plateau
Looking north from the broad, shallow bottom of Orderville Canyon, I could see distant uplifted mountains and hills of orange and red sandstone. I knew these features were in Utah. The end was drawing near.
Near sunset, I stopped just five miles short of Utah. Camp was exquisite. It felt like I was a piece in a miniature bonsai garden; a very small person with a very small tent, set in the middle of a perfect arrangement of juniper trees. Every pebble, every rock around the camp appeared to be purposefully placed. I tiptoed carefully around trying not to disturb anything at all.
Bonsai Garden
Darkness fell, and it became very, very quiet. Occasionally the distant cry of a night bird would fill my ears, and then be gone, utterly absorbed by the long silent night. I definitely had mixed feelings about being so near the end of the long walk.
Next morning I was up very early and took to the trail at a slow and leisurely pace. I lingered at my breakfast spot watching a small herd of horses graze a distant ridge off to the east. By seven o’clock or so, I came to a small rise, and looking down, could see the end of the Arizona Trail right where it hit the road head on the state line. I abruptly dropped my pack to the ground and sat down. I was not quite ready for the trip to end. I sat there for about two hours watching the countryside, especially enjoying the red and gold sandstone formations across the valley. Finally I spotted the dust cloud of a moving vehicle on the road below and recognized Jim’s white Tahoe. I shouldered my pack and started down, it was time to head home.
Dave at the Utah State Line. Happy Trails Everybody!
- Dave Baker
