My Trails

3/4/14 – 142 miles.
I’m camped high in the mountains at a place called Manning Camp. It was a strenuous hike up here and I’m glad that it was overcast as that helped to keep me cool. But with the relentless climb and humidity leftover from the rains, I was sweating buckets anyway.

When you gain 5000′ in altitude over a 13 mile hike the terrain changes dramatically along the way. It began as all cactus and sand for a few miles, then the landscape changed to junipers and tall grass, and finally at about 7000′ turned to Ponderosa Pine. Manning camp is at 8000′ and there are just a few patches of snow still around. I am the only one here so as soon as my campfire dies down it will be off to bed. I’m thinking it will be pretty cold tonight.

3/3/14 – 129 miles.
It was a fun weekend of exploring and relaxing with Richard and Dianna. We drove south yesterday on I19 towards Nogales to visit the old Tubac Mission and Tumacacori National Historic Park. There were tons of history and old relics at each location. Very interesting. And we also stopped at a decommissioned Titan Missile Site and toured the underground control area and silo. Richard and I really like stuff like that because we are both geeks, but Dianna was not interested in taking the tour again and waited for us.

Thanks again R&D for all you do for me!

After a quick stop at the Saguaro National Park visitors center to pick up a backcountry permit, Richard and Dianna dropped me off at the trail this morning and I continued north on the AZT. The hiking was easy and I only had 7 miles to the place I would camp for the night so I took my time and enjoyed the nice weather. After a weekend of storm and clouds, it looks like I will have clear sailing through the Rincons and Catalinas.

When I arrived at Rincon creek I was shocked to see no water anywhere. I had just assumed with all the rain there would at least be some pools in the bed. Wrong! This is serious! I have about twelve ounces of liquid to get me 8 miles in the morning, and then if the next source is dry, I am really up the creek without water. Don’t worry, I will be okay, just a thirsty boy.

Am: found water this morning, crisis averted

2/28/14 – 122 miles.
With the threat of nasty weather moving into the area, I hiked 7 miles to a picnic area below Colossal Cave where Richard and Dianna rescued me from the trail. It was a well planned and well timed pickup. I needed to resupply, replace a plugged water filter, do laundry, get a permit to hike through Saguaro National Park, and cleans the grime and sweat from my body.

After hiking for several days and eating dried food I am always hungry for something greasy, so the first thing we did was stop at a Carl’s and get a big juicy burger and fries. Then with my belly full we went to a Flying J where I could take a long steamy shower, much overdue after five days on the trail. The lady at the counter kept asking if we wanted a “team shower?”, but Richard and I assured her that we didn’t want to take a shower together. We finally figured out that she was talking about a truck driver “rewards” program for free showers.

We stopped at several places on the south side of Tucson where I looked for a new filter, but no one had what I was looking for. We ended up driving all the way across town to an REI in the Tucson Mall to find one. The detour to the other side of town gave us the opportunity to revisit the old neighborhood where we spent time growing up so many years ago. Even though things have changed a lot, it still brings back memories.

When we finally made it back to their trailer, Dianna fed me one of her delicious meals and we sat around watching TV until sleepiness overtook me at the abnormally, early hour for hikers. It has been so nice having them near to help me on and off the trail.

Tonight I am staying in Richards truck. The sleeper equipped Volvo he pulls his house with is a luxurious apartment compared to a night in my tent, and I will be warm and dry in the morning.

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.