AZT Day 12: Across to the Catalinas

Daily Miles: 13.3, Total Miles: 172.7

I slackpacked the Catalinas portion of the AZT just prior to starting the AZT at the Mexico border. I have included a post for each of those days. Easy logistics from our place and allowed a bit of conditioning and gear testing.

This section bridges the Rincons and Catalinas and my wife joined me today. We started at Redington Road and ended at Prison Camp about ten miles up on the Catalina Highway.

At the 4,000-5,000 ft elevation range this time of year, water is not much of a problem. I really like this country – kind of in between the desert and the mountains. The birds were plentiful, especially the hawks and doves. Doves wait until you are almost upon them before erupting out of the grass and trees.

A pretty good climb at the end of the day, then downhill to Molino Basin CG and back up to Prison Camp.

Only saw one other hiker today coming from the opposite direction – bloody knees from a fall but OK.