MRT Day 25: AZ High Country

Daily Miles: 20.3, Total Miles: 360.5

I had one of those moments this morning that keeps me coming back to the trail. Woke up early, got my coffee going and looked out from my tent at the big meadow in front of me. I saw a few elk grazing and within 30 minutes, there were 40+ elk having breakfast – so cool!

A brisk morning in the AZ high country. I started off following the boundary fence of the White Mountain Apache reservation. Hiked over a mountain before moving on through the forest and meadow landscape.

Good water at Swineborne Spring and then continued on to the Old Apache Railroad Grade. This old RR grade was used originally for hauling logs, then hauling tourists to the Big Lake area, and now for hikers and bikers. Mrs. Haze and I mountain biked this section a few years ago.

I eventually connected up to a trail/road that dropped me into the little mountain community of Greer. This was a favorite camping/fishing spot for my family in the late 60’s/early 70’s. A lot more cabins now but easily recognizable as I made my way to the motel.

No washer or dryer so washed my clothes in the bathtub. Too tired to walk over a mile to the restaurant so ate a leftover trail meal supplemented with junk from the nearby small store. Cool evening so turned on the fake fireplace (electric heater) to take the chill off.