GET Day 6: Picketpost TH to Walnut Canyon

Daily Miles: 16.7, Total Miles: 65.0

I wished young Clovis well on his AZT hike and was on my way by 9am. A gentle climb up Alamo Canyon with Picketpost Mountain in full view. I gave way to a few mountain bikers but surprisingly saw only a few hikers.

As the morning went on, it got increasingly more cloudy and blustery and even looked like it may rain. I topped up my water bottles at the public water cache near FR4 – I had been told it was empty but a kind trail angel must have dropped off a few gallons.

As I was about to jump off the AZT onto the GET (& old AZT route) at about mile 10, a helicopter came over the ridge, dipped down and did a half-circle around me but then continued on. Looking for someone, I thought to myself. I did get confirmation later that they were looking for a missing hiker.

I continued on through the beautiful, rugged White Canyon Wilderness. I had taken this same GET route, although in a reverse direction, when I hike the AZT. The trail seemed much more overgrown than I remembered but well worth the extra effort.

Finally got down to Battle Axe Road and followed it up along the side of the butte into Walnut Canyon. I spent a bit of time looking for some blue water troughs that were supposed to be on the east side of the wash but it was getting dark. Fortunately, there were a few pools upstream next to a few cowpies – filtered enough to tide me over. Rain Man came by while I was looking for water but he decided to continue on to the Gila River.

I ended up camping in the same spot as my AZT hike. The skies cleared and I enjoyed a nice evening watching the glowing buttes and canyon walls at sunset. The stars were brilliant a few hours later.