DWTH Closing Comments

I meant to provide a wrap-up to my Desert Winter Thru-Hike adventure a bit sooner but I just wasn’t up to it. Ellie, our nearly 11-year-old black lab passed away nearly three weeks ago from a rare rapid-onset cancer. I fortunately was able to spend some real quality time with her after my return. She was the sweetest lab we’ve ever had – she never met a dog or person she didn’t immediately want to be best friends with. She was our constant companion and training partner for many years and many hikes and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Ellie!

Two of the coolest things about the DWTH is that firstly, it was right out our front door – I started at the top of Mt. Lemmon from the Arizona Trail and secondly, I finished the hike nearly 800 miles later by touching the Pacific Crest Trail at Mission Creek in the Whitewater Preserve. What was in between? Vast and remote stretches of the wild, and beautiful Sonoran and Mohave Deserts and the rugged mountains they contain.

A few highlights and “best of’s”:

Favorite section – I would have to say the nearly 70 miles through the Ironwood Forest National Monument was a pleasant surprise. Rugged mountains, desert valleys, stands of long-lived ironwood trees and saguaro cactus, and interesting geology, archaeological and mining history kept me thoroughly engaged. The section through Joshua Tree National Park was also hard to beat, a totally unique and beautiful setting, the bouldering was a fun challenge as well.

Best day of hiking – Why are the best days often the most challenging days? 1) Down the Bill Williams River and up and over the Rawhide Mountains, sometimes frustrating, where else would you see that many wild burros and ducks and go for a swim on the same day? 2) The climbs and seemingly neverending ridge walks in the Harcuvar and Harquahala Mountains but taking the time to explore some prospects and old mines.

Biggest challenge – Water management is critical and not to be taken lightly. Early winter rains were a blessing and helpful in filling some of the wildlife guzzlers but no guarantees. Brett’s water chart was very helpful for planning purposes and I added some water caches in particular “dry” stretches. My largest water carry was about 1.5 gallons just prior to entering Joshua Tree National Park.

Best sunsets and sunrises – so many and hard to select the best, but particular sunrises in front of Arizona’s Ragged Top and Saddle Mountains and in Joshua Tree National Park were real highlights.

Best accommodations – The trail towns on the DWTH can leave a lot to be desired but I did enjoy my stay at the Westward Inn in Salome, AZ. Quiet, old but nicely restored with very nice owners. I caution against talking politics at the nearby Don’s Cactus Bar.

Best hitch to town – a nice couple taking me from the lonely gas station at Fenner CA to Needles. They insisted on knowing the whole story on what I was doing in the middle of the Mohave Desert before they agreed to give me a ride.

So what’s next? I hope to get a start on the Pacific Northwest Trail this summer, my last piece to complete the Great Western Loop. I was lucky enough to get an early lottery pick on Glacier’s backcountry campgrounds. I just hope the fire season is not severe. Mrs. Haze and I are also planning to do some hiking in Switzerland early in the fall.