AZT Day 14: Oracle Ridge

Daily Miles: 15.1, Total Miles: 206.5

Another cold start and nothing open in Summerhaven, elev 8,200 ft. I was hoping for a warm, giant cookie from the Cookie Cabin, our favorite stop.

The only person I saw on top was a fireman raising the flag at the Control Road fire station. Kept my warm cap and gloves on for most of the morning while heading down Oracle Ridge.

A very different view now looking east towards the San Pedro Valley, Galiuro Mountains and even the Pinaleno Mountains. And back to Mt. Lemmon and Oracle Ridge – damage from big forest fires in 2003 and 2006 very evident. The last one even made the news in Australia while we were living there.

I was part way down the ridge when I heard something(s) coming up the trail towards me. Through the brush came a mob of six bluetick hounds. The owner eventually showed up – he had driven up a primitive road on his ATV.

Other than that just some whitetail deer, cows and a few day hikers as I got closer to Oracle and the American Flag TH.