AZT Day 2: Between Sky Islands

Daily Miles: 17.2, Total Miles: 31.7

Hard to get an early start when it’s chilly and you have to get into frozen shoes. I wore just about everything I have with me this morning!

I left the wilderness area and remaining patches of snow and hiked to Parker Canyon Lake on trails and primitive roads. On the way, I met a County Sheriff officer who asked me if I had seen “any action”. I knew he was talking about either border crossers or drug smuggling activity. Fortunately not, but I did see evidence of a few migrant camps near the trail.

The landscape changes near Parker Canyon Lake to grassland with juniper covered hills. A lot of ups, downs, canyons and rock – not to mention cattle country.

I passed through Pauline Canyon into Middle Canyon – a challenge finding a flat spot for the tent but brushed the rocks away.

Great views of the receding Huachuca Mountains to the southeast, San Rafael Valley to the west, and the upcoming Santa Rita Mountains. No other hikers seen today.