Daily Miles: 20.3, Total Miles: 360.5 I had one of those moments this morning that keeps me coming back to the trail. Woke up early, got my coffee going and looked out from my tent at the big meadow in front of me. I saw a few elk grazing and within 30 minutes, there were 40+ elk having breakfast – so cool! A brisk morning in the AZ high country. I started off following the boundary fence of the White…
Daily Miles: 24.0, Total Miles: 340.2 Another mostly gentle climb through the Sitgreaves NF in the White Mountains Trail System and on dirt roads. Quite a bit of evidence of recent forest thinning, selective logging and even walked through a controlled burn area. I thought the burn was done but was soon walking near burning and smoking undergrowth. I didn’t see anyone actually “controlling” this burn. I did a short detour past Los Burros CG to get water at a…
Daily Miles: 20.5, Total Miles: 316.2 While I was in the shower this morning I did ask myself if the Show Low bus runs on Sunday. I walked to the bus stop and got my answer – NO. I started the five-mile road walk out past the Walmart to get back on the MRT. Probably a tough hitch anytime in Show Low but especially early on Sunday morning. Around Mile 3 a car passed me but came back to pick…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 295.7 I generally try to lay low on my zero day and today was extremely low. The hardest and most strenuous activity was walking next door to the Burger King and bringing back a burger, fries and milkshake. I was even able to make progress on my current book, the Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. Looked at my next leg to Greer with particular focus on water sources. Doesn’t look a whole lot better, especially…
Daily Miles: 9.9, Total Miles: 295.7 Another early start as usual on a town day. Only me and the noisy wild turkeys on the trail this morning. First stop getting into Show Low was Walmart for a long drink of water and an isobutane canister. Then boarded the town bus for one dollar to downtown for the motel and post office. I was able to get into my room early and got busy getting myself clothes and gear cleaned up….
Daily Miles: 19.5, Total Miles: 285.8 I had just enough water this morning for a cup of coffee and didn’t waste any time on my detour getting into Pinedale. In fact, I think all 500 or so residents were still asleep. I came into town very close to the Forest Service Work Center and checked there first. One of the first unoccupied buildings had a faucet and hose. I filled me first, then water bottles (4L) and was on my…
Daily Miles: 25.0, Total Miles: 266.3 I filtered three liters of scummy water from the nearby wildlife guzzler this morning. Kind of a gamey taste so mixed in some Crystal Light. I resumed my eastward journey on the General Crook Trail/road through forest and burn areas. I bypassed Yarrow Tank, known as a usually reliable water source, as I still had a few liters of water. In hindsight, I should have loaded up. The next 19 miles and five potential…
Daily Miles: 27.4, Total Miles: 241.3 A brisk morning in the 30’s but it didn’t take long to shed the gloves and warm cap. I had to walk down Hwy 260 for a few miles then headed generally east all day long. A combination of dirt roads and the historic General Crook Trail, built in the 1870’s to help resupply military forts. Hiked in and out of scars from the huge 2002 Rodeo-Chediski fire which burned 732 square miles. I…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 213.9 After a big breakfast and getting a few supplies, Mini-Me dropped me off at the tiny Forest Lakes cabin for my zero day. He now has a few days of bridge inspection work in Arizona before returning to his home base in Montana. I washed my clothes at the RV park, cleaned up my gear and took a solid two-hour nap. Enjoying the cooler temperatures on top of the Rim but it will be…
Daily Miles: 20.0, Total Miles: 213.9 This morning started with some foot doctoring – my patient was Mini-Me and he had some angry blisters on both little toes. After popping, taping and a few tears, we were ready to go. We made a gradual climb over the next seven miles to finish the Highline Trail just below the Rim. Over the 55-mile pioneer route, there was 10,000 ft of elevation gain. The vertical wasn’t over yet. We then joined the…
