It was cool at the trailhead and for a few minutes I contemplated switching to a long sleeve shirt, but I am glad I did not - it was hot in the sun! Butterfly Trail to start and then onto the Crystal Spring Trail - such a lovely shaded forest start to the trail - the Keebler Tree came more quickly than I expected today, but I continued on without taking a real break. Ferns and other plants are starting to grow along the trail - already almost covering it in tiny sections - but still plenty of brown.

Some of the (many) drainages were dry - but I was glad to see Alder Canyon, the next small falls and the pools/falls just before the Control Road all had some flow.

At the Control Road I turn around and head back - in the burned sections of the trail it is hot - a nice day to be higher on the mountain!

While driving down the mountain I spot a Mountain Biker sitting by the side of the highway in a small patch of shade waving a water bottle - I pull into the [link slug="bug-spring-trailhead"/] to make sure I have a little water left and then drive back up to add a little water, ice and soda to his supplies. He is appreciative and friendly - another car pulls up so I don't hang out and chat, but a few miles down the mountain I think about the cue sheets on his handle bars... and at home I find Aaron among the 2014 AZT750 racers!