MRT: Shakedown #2

I wanted to get some elevation work in and another ankle “test”. What better way than to climb over the Rincons! Last weekend I joined the AZT near Hope Camp and Saguaro National Park and hiked to backcountry Grass Shack CG. Springtime may be getting an early start – water flowing and ocotillos are starting to green up and bloom. The next day, I climbed up to Manning Camp and over snow-covered Mica Mountain, down past frozen Italian Springs to Redington Pass.

Still quite a bit of daylight left so kept going until a dry wash where I saw an inviting sandbar. The wind was blowing hard so I cowboy camped. While breaking camp the next morning I discovered I had slept in full view of a game camera in a nearby tree. Someone got some choice pics! I exited on the La Milagrosa Trail before reaching the Catalina’s Molino Basin. This trail is popular with mountain bike riders and dropped down close to my Tucson home. All in all, 40 miles and close to 6,000 ft vertical. Tired and a bit sore but otherwise fine. Thought I may run into some early AZT hikers but had the trail to myself until reaching the Catalina foothills.

Mrs. Haze and I got our second COVID vaccine shot yesterday. Some relief and I guess a milestone but a ways to go. We still celebrated with beer and burgers.

I have started meal preparation for the MRT – made a large batch of granola, a great recipe from a friend. I trialed this on the Hayduke and it passed with flying colors. The house smells good too with the aroma of baked nuts, coconut, cinnamon and maple syrup.