March 21-23, 2013 Molina Basin TH to Tiger Mine Road TH.  (47.5 miles and a whopping 10,650 feet of climbing).

Not many folks have seen this view!!

Well, this was one of those hikes where you have to be careful what you wish for.  After my two previous hikes I was a little bored with rolling, grassy hills.  This hike definitely was neither of those as you can tell from the climbing number above.  In the spirit of being totally transparent, my mileage total was really a bit over 50, more on that later.  The three themes of this hike: OE, climbing, and the color purple.


Special thanks to Debra and Albert for making sure my car was at the trailhead at the end of the hike.

I knew going in that this hike offered a bunch of climbing in the first two days and mostly downhill on the third.  I didn't realize that I was going to be hiking a few extra miles the first day, which also added to the climbing total.  And as much as I would like to blame the maps, the GPS or random act of nature, I cannot.  It was totally OE (operator error).  Sometimes the day is going so well, you feel really good, you just don't take the time to fully read and understand all the information before you.  So although I'm not counting the extra miles in my total above, I'm definitely counting the extra climbing!!!

Other than my navigational problems, the first day was a great hike.  A little up and down, through some really interesting trail, great views and water everywhere.  Sycamore Canyon was spectacular and a very enjoyable walk.  I can definitely see why this area is so popular with the hiking community from Tucson.

This photo and the two to the left are near Hutch's pool.
What a great spot for lunch.

My goal was to reach Romero Pass and camp there for the night.  I accomplished that, although a bit later than I had expected.  This was really the last flat spot before climbing up Mt. Lemmon.  It turned out to be a  good choice.  It was a bit windy in the late afternoon, but it died down as the sun set which helped me get some rest for the climb the following day.

It was hard to believe it was spring, not fall with these colors

There is no better way to start the day than a 6 mile climb, right!!!  My climb started as soon as I left camp and ended several hours later (it seemed like days).  It took me about 4.5 hours to hike the 8 miles to Summerhaven which is almost double what it would take me over a normal route.  But as is the norm with the AZ Trail, the scenery was great, especially through the Wilderness of Rocks.  I only took a couple of photos though because I knew if I started I would never make it out of there.

I knew I was going through downtown Summerhaven ont this trip, so I planned my meal schedule around that.  I got into Summerhaven around lunchtime and stopped at the pizza and cookie place.  Sure beats freeze dried food anytime.  After leaving Summerhaven, the trip really got interesting.

Better than freeze dried any day!!

I had been protected from the wind because of the terrain, but as soon as I left Summerhaven and started on the Oracle Ridge trail, the wind was relentless.  I spent the next day and a half cursing it, trying to not get blown down the mountain and generally wishing someone would just turn it off.  (I slept very little on night two, the wind continually whipping my tent back and forth and the noise sounded like I was sleeping next to an interstate highway.)  And that wasn't the most challenging part of this trail.

Wilderness of Rocks.  I could have easily
spent a day here just taking photos

The Oracle Ridge trail heads from Summerhaven at almost 9,000 feet, down to Oracle at about 5,000 feet.  And while some of this trail is a gentle downhill, there was an awful lot of very steep segments, with very loose rocks.  Some of it was singletrack, some old two track roads.  I will take a good climb any day over a very steep downhill road, with lots of loose rocks and carrying a 30lb pack.  This is where the color purple comes in.

I was about 3/4 through my day two hike, when I caught a loose rock on a steep downhill two track and rolled my ankle.  Vicki said I couldn't take a photo and post it to the blog to attract sympathy.  So I'm writing about it instead, still hoping for sympathy from somewhere!!  Vicki's rule with the kids as they grew up was always "you play, you pay".  She doesn't use that with the kids anymore, but I hear it often:)

A slightly sore ankle and more wind made day three more of a chore than I had hoped.  But in the end I was able to hike and enjoy the remainder of the trip. I've been pretty fortunate so far on my journey and if this is as bad as it gets I'm not complaining.  Although I'm still looking for a little sympathy on the ankle.

This is the view looking north on day one.  On the very highest ridge you
can see the communication towers on the top of Mt Lemmon.

Same ridge looking south towards the end of day 2.  It is amazing
sometimes to look back and realize you walked all that way.  

February 15-16, 2013 Parker Canyon Lake TH to Patagonia.  (32 miles and about 3,000 feet of climbing)

This was a great two day hike and the weather was perfect.  There weren't any crazy climbs and the mileage was just about right.  (funny though, my night was colder for this hike than in January, go figure).

Hard to believe this is Arizona.
Parker Canyon Lake at the start of the hike.

In two days, I did not see one other person on the trail.  This was a big change from my hike in January.  In fact, it didn't look like there had been any trail users for quite some time.

I didn't get a lot of photos on this hike, it was rolling, grassy hills again.  I've pretty much had it with rolling grassy hills. I'm sure the next big climb will leave me wishing for more though!!!  I do know that I'm glad I don't live in Kansas or Iowa.   I just have to be able to experience the wonderful variety of landscapes of the great southwest.

Can you find the border blimp??

All the trail information I reviewed prior to this hike warned trail users to be aware of the illegal traffic coming from Mexico.  There were warnings of lots of side trails (not marked and not official) and lots of trash.  I was prepared for the worst, but the experience was anything but.  I saw very few side trails, and no trash.  Maybe this is an issue in Passage one, time will tell.  I did see a border blimp in the distance all day on day one.  A little creepy!!!.  You have to wonder if they are watching you.  Probably noticed pretty quickly with me, just another crazy Arizona Trail hiker!!

Another stunning sunrise!!!!

Stopping point  for this hike was the tiny town o of Patagonia.  Never been there before, but a nice quaint place.  Definitely somewhere that Victoria and I should visit at a later date.  

Rolling, grassy hills, again

I get a lot of questions about food, tents and other hike details.  I've added some photos below to show the plush accommodations.  (No wonder no one wants to join me:)

Waiting for the freeze dried dinner to heat.
For those who haven't had the pleasure, you
heat water, add it to the bag and wait about
ten minutes.  When I took this photo, I'm in the
process of waiting ten minutes.  At the end of a long
day on the trail, it is a very long ten minutes.

Plush, resort style room

January 18-19, Gardner Canyon TH to Gabe Zimmerman TH. (40+ miles and 4,000+ feet of climbing

Here's to starting the year off with a great Arizona Trail hike.  I hope this is the first of many good AZ trail hikes for this year.  I was a little scared when I scheduled this hike for January, not knowing what the weather would be like.  Then last week we had one of the coldest spells I can recall in the desert, with lows in the teens and twenties and daytime highs barely reaching the 40's.  If that weather pattern had continued I  was seriously considering wimping out on this hike.  Luckily the weather turned warmer and couldn't have been better for hiking.

When I started to plan my schedule for hikes this spring, these three passages (5, 6 and 7) seemed like a good place to start.  Each about 13 miles long but an ending point that was about 1500 feet in elevation lower than I began.  A three day hike seemed to cut the days too short, so in my mind a hike consisting of two 20 mile days seemed logical.  Unfortunately my mind doesn't often talk with my body and as I write this my body is pretty ticked off at my mind!!!

Only on the Arizona Trail can you end a hike over 1500 feet lower in elevation and still climb 4,000 feet in elevation.  They weren't long climbs, or particularly difficult, but they were one after another, up and down, in and out of washes, ravines and small canyons.

I haven't spent a great deal of time in the southern portion of our state so each outing down that way is a new experience.  The altitude is generally higher, but the temperatures seem to be more moderate.

I did my first "tourist" stop on this hike as the trail goes directly through Kentucky Camp, an old mining camp being restored/preserved by the Forest Service.  You can learn more about Kentucky Camp by clicking here.

This is one of several "gates" I encountered with no fence attached.
Should I have walked through the gate?  

This is my second hike in and around the Tucson area and I'm truly amazed at how much use the Arizona Trail gets.  I think I've seen more trail users and a greater variety of users in the Tucson area than I've seen in all the other sections combined that I've hiked so far.

Hard to believe this is Arizona??

October 6-8, 2012, Gabe Zimmerman TH to Molina Basin TH (about 51 miles and 9,000 feet of climbing)

Yes, you read that right, 9,000 feet of climbing!!!  And this was just outside of Tucson.  Go figure.

This is another great example of how you never know what to expect on these AZT hikes.  This trip featured a dry water source, 3 rattlesnakes, a climb from hell on day two and then at the end a 1,000 foot climb only three miles from the end.  (At times I believe this trail has been laid out just to punish those that attempt to complete it).

Day one was a great stroll along the high desert outside of Tuscon.  It was warm, but I had my water sources planned well (I knew this hike had some water challenges buuuuut).  When I came to the campground that was supposed to have a reliable water source I soon found out how my trip might play out.  There was a boy scout group setting up camp for the weekend.  I asked one of the leaders where the water spigot was?  He then began to explain how the water line was broken and had not been fixed yet?  That was not good news to me.  Water was available about two miles back on the trail, or about half way through day two, neither of which sounded like viable options.

Luckily, the scouts had extra water and offered me enough to fill up.  Unfortunately I did not get to hydrate like I normally would, so this day was long and hot.

This is Hope Camp, just inside the Park Boundaries.  Camp is a misnomer, since they don't let you camp here even with a permit.  

This hike takes you through Saguaro National Park.  Great place, but they have camping permits for only select camp areas.  Logistically, its is 17+ miles through the park, it made planning this trip a bit of a challenge.  I stayed the first night just outside the park boundaries.

Start of the climb on Day 2

Day two was the climb from hell.  About 5,000 feet.  I told some friends that there were ants passing me on the trail.  Saw three rattlesnakes none of them too happy to see me.  The water situation was better than I expected though so that made for a little more enjoyable day.  You get to pass through Manning Camp a wonderful Forest Service set up at 8,000 feet.  You can camp here with a permit, but for me it would have made for a very long day three hike. I stopped here to fill water and eat an early dinner, then hiked a few more miles before stopping.

This was one of the campgrounds "Grass Shack"  If you want remote camping this is your spot

These two photos are from Manning Camp.  Forest Service folks stay here when they are working in the area.  There are canvass huts in the back that hikers can use.  I think the shortest hike in to here is about 10 or 12 miles, so not like your typical Holiday Inn.  

This is what happens when you don't pay enough attention to your GPS.  I hiked about a quarter of a mile extra uphill to get this photo.  I'm still a slow learner.  

Day three was downhill and then rolling trail until the end.  The last climb was a bit**.  And only three miles from the end of the hike.  Mentally and physically challenging.  At one point I thought I'd just lay off the side of the trail and hope someone would come along some day and find me!!!!

August 30-September 2nd, 2012  Snowbowl (Flagstaff) to the south rim Grand Canyon (about 90 miles, mostly downhill and flat)

After my first 4 day hike in 2011 I said I would never do that again.  Well I'm still a slow learner.  I actually planned this as a five day hike, but finished in 4.  I originally thought this would be a 3 day hike and a 2 day hike.  When I went out to stash water I changed my plans because of the logistics of getting in to the trail about halfway was just a nightmare.

View of the Peaks as I headed north

I had talked with a friend of mine who had done the complete trail in the spring.  He said that if you usually do 15 miles in a day on this segment you will do at least 20.  So with that in mind I planned for 5, but thought  I  might be done in 4.

I did finish in 4, but it took me a month to recover:)  This segment was a lot of ranch roads (across the Babbitt ranches) and old two track roads.  One thing that I have learned is that for me, dirt roads are harder on my body than going up and down single track trails.  Of course on this trip it was just the shear mileage that took its toll.

As I plan for the remainder of the trail it looks like I may end up doing one or two more 4 day hikes, just do to logistics.

This hike was great, filled with open views mostly great weather and an end view of the Grand Canyon.

View of the Canyon at the end

It rained every afternoon, a few times heavy, but usually very short.  The big surprise was on the morning of day 4 it started raining about 4 am.  And it didn't stop until about 11 am.  So I had to pack up and hike the first part of day 4 in the rain.  That was a new experience.

You can call me the "horse whisperer" These horses were in a field I walked through.  I was headed towards a gate and as soon as they noticed that they started to follow me.  As I went through the gate they got within about two feet of me.  

One of the original AZT markers.  There were several of these still standing on this segment.  

This was my lunch spot on day three.  There are no restaurants with views like this!!!!

Other than the views and the scenery, this trip will be remembered for the after hike affects.  First, I was sore in spots for a good four weeks later, it may have been flat, but it was still 20+ miles a day for four days.  Second, on day 4 I either got bit by something, or rubbed against something on my left elbow.  I got some kind of infection and had to get a shot and 10 days of antibiotic.  Caitlen said it looked like I had three elbows. sorry, I didn't get photos of the elbow:(

March 31 & April 1st  Florence/Kelvin Hwy TH to Picket Post Trailhead (about 40 miles, 6,000 feet of climbing)

This hike was one of the most stunning desert segments that I have done so far.  This newly completed segment runs along the Gila River, then makes a right turn and goes through some of the most spectacular desert canyon you can imagine.

Day one was the easier of the two days, mostly flat along the Gila River. It was a little warm that day (low 90's) so even though it was early, I decided to camp by the Gila before the trail heads north. The weather report said that it was going to cool down to the low 80's on the second day.   That was a good decision (see I am learning a little).

The second day starts with a 10 mile climb, great way to start the day!!!!  About half way up I ran into a Gila Monster.  He would not get out of the trail.  What you can't see from the picture is that this portion of the trail is on a severe hillside.  There were not a lot of options to get around him.  I had to climb up the slope and hope I didn't slip and fall since it would have been a few hundred feet down to the bottom of the canyon before I stopped.

I can't describe fully the spectacular scenery on this segment.  It is truly a wonder and a part of Arizona that most will never see.

View of the Gila River from the trail

Start of the climb on day two

I did cross paths with a man who was doing the trail as a through hike (all at one time).  His pack was huge and looked very heavy.  We talked for a while and he seemed to be enjoying himself.  I asked him if he was going to stay at a hotel in Superior (many through hikers will stay a night or two there to break up the trip).  He said, "no, I'm going all the way through with just what's on my back".  I'm truly amazed at these folks.  I've pretty much figured my limit is 4 nights and that is about as much tent sleeping as I can handle.  Maybe that will change by the end, but I doubt it.

March 14, 2012  Mt Elden, San Francisco Peaks (about 20 miles, 3500 feet of climb)

This hike started in east Flagstaff at Hwy 89 and goes up through the Peaks and I ended at the Snowbowl.  It has been a mild winter and there didn't appear to be a lot of snow, boy was I wrong.  Some of the trail sections on the north faces I was walking in 2 to 3 foot snow drifts.  I probably did about 3 miles total in snow like this, "post holing" up to my waist.  The sections where there wasn't any snow you could tell there hadn't been anyone on the trail since the fall.  (That shows that maybe I was a bit early doing this hike, duh)

For a one day hike, this was another tough one, seems like they all are.  The views were amazing though.  I'd love to do this hike again, only in the summer when there is no snow.