GET Day 25: Blue River Country

Daily Miles: 17.9, Total Miles: 334.7

I walked down Juan Miller Road past low flowing and cow infested Turkey and Clear Creek. The T Link Ranch on Turkey Creek had no fewer than ten hound dogs all chained to a different tree. They were all vying to be the loudest hound dog in Arizona.

I turned southeast at Clear Creek onto a closed 4WD road, much of it on bedrock, that headed to a pass. Wow, this is Wild West country!

Next, a steep descent into Pigeon Creek and Blue River where I stocked up on water. I took the Stacy Ranch alternative to the Wild Bunch Trail. Another large pack of hound dogs alerted their owner. He came out to wish me a good hike and that his dogs wouldn’t kill me.

A long, steady and hot climb up the Wild Bunch Trail. You could just imagine old western movies being made here! I got water at the Morris Day Gap Tank and cistern and continued climbing to the head of Horse Canyon and the flank of Maple Peak. Enough for me, a bed of pine needles and pretty sunset.