DWTH Day 13: On to South Maricopa Mtns Wilderness

Daily Miles: 18.5, Total Miles: 186.5

It was a dark, quiet night with brilliant stars.

I set out on the well-marked Lava Flow Trail through a pretty sparse Cholla forest, my least favorite cactus for obvious reasons. Back on dirt roads and well-timed, I reached another wildlife guzzler with a full trough with quite clear water once the surface algae was skimmed off. The winter rains in early January are certainly appreciated!

Still heading NW on a BLM road, I reached my undisturbed food and water cache and enjoyed lunch in the shade of a palo verde tree.

After passing a few free campers, I set out on primitive roads and x-country through a stark, almost completely creosote desert before crossing under Interstate 8. Entering South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness, I trudged up a steep hill, then x-country along a rocky ridge and finally dropped down to an area suitable for camping.

A few passing trucks and ATV’s today but no hikers today. I saw the usual desert birds including a few Curve-billed Thrashers.