I slept very well on the sandbar last night and as a result, a bit later start. But first, I needed to do some repair work. I lost the button on my pants near the end of my hike yesterday and the built-in belt is now useless to keep my pants up. I’ve been carrying a safety pin in my kit for 14 years and now I really need it! I think it will work fine unless at some point, I need to drop my drawers fast.
Woolsey Peak
One of the longer x-country sections on the trail thus far through the Woolsey Peak Wilderness, first climbing up a very rocky ridge, then up and over washes on the eastern slope of Mt Woolsey (3,270’) crossing a few miles on the volcanic rock covering the desert floor and finally reaching a closed-off, primitive road. This 64k-acre wilderness area was protected in 1993 and sits within a portion of the Gila Bend Mountains.
Woolsey Peak Wilderness
This road took me north up a valley on the west side of Woolsey Peak and along the way, I met my first hiker, I don’t know who was more surprised. Liam, from Wisconsin, started near San Diego and generally following the DWTH in reverse. I say generally because he doesn’t have all the beta for the trail. He says his ultimate destination is Lordsburg NM. After a nice chat, I eventually reached the boundary of the wilderness area and a windmill and troughs to refill my water bottles. The cows voiced their disapproval over the intrusion.
On departure, I continued north on a primitive road and entered the adjacent, smaller Signal Mountain Wilderness. A few miles up the road I swung NE up a wide wash and soon found a nice campsite. Signal Mountain to the NW is now my landmark.
Feels pretty remote and “out there” today. Good thing I enjoy solitude from time to time. I had hoped to see the desert bighorns that live in these ranges but no such luck.
