My Trails

2/27/14 – 115 miles.
On a sweet fragrance meter I would be two levels below the cow pie. The flies flock to me over anything on the trail. It is sad to say but at times I can hardly stand my own smell. And my trail angels / support crew, Richard and Dianna, are coming to pick me up tomorrow to take me off the trail a day or two. I hope I can clean up a bit before I get in their nice clean car.

It is no wonder I’m tired tonight; I walked 20 miles today. The trail was pretty easy with only gentle hills and smooth path. I think this section was laid out with mountain bikes in mind because the trail wound around every knoll and wash like someone would drop spaghetti on a plate. There were a lot of useless turns and twists that didn’t get you anywhere, only to make it fun for the bikes.

The vegetation has changed now that I have come down out of the mountains. It was a garden of Prickly Pear, Ocotillo, and Creosote bush for many miles, so I couldn’t find a place to sit in the shade when I wanted a break.

I’m camped just north of I10 near the Gabe Zimmerman trailhead. Gabe was one of those killed at the event with Gabrielle Giffords in 2011 and this area is a memorial to him. The only other interesting thing today was the tunnel the AZT uses to go under I10. It is 6’W x7’H and very long. Cool!

I’m tired.

2/26/14 – 95 miles.
I will hit 100 miles tomorrow. I remember how excited and proud I felt when I passed that mark on the AT. All your hiking buddies shared in the accomplishment and congratulated each other for pushing on. And even though we felt bad for those who had fallen out, somehow we were a little better, a little more determined, convinced we would make it all the way. There won’t be any of that tomorrow because this is has been a solitary trek.

I’m not saying I haven’t met people on the AZT or that I feel lonely, just that the journey you share with your fellow hikers on the AT is a one of a kind experience. I have met bike riders and quite a few day hikers but not anyone that is going 100 miles.

Today’s hiking has been nice. The trail follows the foothills of the Santa Ritas for several miles, dipping in and out of canyons, and climbing ridges that give ominous glimpses of the Rincons and Santa Catalinas ahead. I passed a hiker today that told me the weather forecast for this weekend is rain and snow in the mountains. I’m not sure yet how that will affect my plans.

Tonight I am camped on cow pie hill. It was the only place level I could find. Apparently, the cows liked the spot too. I just hope they don’t come back tonight and move in.

2/25/14 – 79 miles.
It is nice to be finally headed north. For the first 60 miles the AZT travels almost directly west, leaving you with the feeling that you’re not getting any closer to your destination. I will definitely be glad to get a little farther away from Mexico.

The hiking today was pretty easy. The trail was many miles of level walking as it followed a ditch that was built in the early 1900’s to deliver water to a mining operation. The ditch, or flume some say, was an enormous project involving many workers and a lot of money back then. There was a tunnels dug through one hill that was 1000′ long, and one canyon was crossed by 24″ pipe buried underground. All this architecture is just a trace now as the land reclaims itself, but the nice part is that the AZT follows the route of the flume and tells you all the history with strategically placed signs. It was quite interesting. The project cost $200,000 to build and they took $3,000 worth of gold from the land before it went bust.

Tonight I am ay a place called Kentucky Camp. It is a few restored buildings to preserve the history of the old mining camp. I met the caretaker of the camp when I got here and asked him where I could set up my tent. He told me I was welcome to stay in the main building – kind of a restored ranch house turned into a museum – and sleep on one of the beds and use the kitchen facilities. I was glad to accept.

There is a faint odor of skunk in the building but I think I’m getting used to it now. I was glad to find a place to plug my phone as the solar charger I borrowed from Daryl didn’t get any sun today. At least I will be out on the wind for tonight and be able to make meals on a table. And water from a tap! What luxury!

2/24/14 – 66 miles.
After catching the latest episode of *The Walking Dead* in my motel last night, a relaxing slumber in a real bed, and a hearty breakfast at the local coffee shop, I felt rested and ready to hike this morning. The trail started out pretty easy for the first few miles, but then it started an excruciating climb, and it wasn’t long before I was hiking like one of those zombies.

Within a mile of town I met a man out for a run who told me he and his wife hosted a thruhiker last year. He said he was sorry he didn’t see me in town yesterday to offer me the same hospitality. How nice to see trail angels on the AZT. I met a Border Patrol vehicle a little later that slowed down long enough to realize I was 100% Gringo, and then passed by with a wave.

I stopped about 3:30 because the guide book says there are no good camping spots above here. There is a pool of water in the rocks above my camp that looks stagnant but at least no cows can get to it.

I will soon enter the Wrightson Wilderness and a section of historic hydraulic gold mining. I will be interested to see what’s there. I keep hoping to find an overlooked gold nugget. On second thought, I wouldn’t want to pack it out!

I was up at 5am and on the trail by 6. The trail town of Patagonia was only a short 7 miles ahead and I was looking forward to taking the afternoon off to rest and eat some restaurant food.

The trail into town was pretty easy with a three mile road walk at the end. I walked for about an hour with my headlamp,and shortly after it became daylight, I met four backpackers going my way. They were two adults and two scouts out to earn backpacking merit badges. I walked with them into town and even secured a slackpack down the road with their ride.

Richard and Dianna met me at my motel with resupply goodies, and we had a nice lunch at the local coffee shop. I don’t know what I would do without all the help they have been kind enough to provide.

The next section through the Santa Rita Mountains is longer and drier so I will be carrying even more weight. I will hike out in the morning, after breakfast of bacon and eggs, of course.