Daily Miles: 21.6, Total Miles: 106.6 A good climb up to a high point in the Tortilla Mountains then down to Ripsey Wash. I got water at the “black pipe” tank and continued on the AZT/GET through a relatively flat yucca-filled desert all the way to the Freeman Road TH. The Catalinas Mountains are now prominently in view. Not the most interesting day as far as hikes go but I got through several podcasts. Sequoia, the trail angel keeping the…

Daily Miles: 20.0, Total Miles: 85.0 I made a note to myself last night to find out if bobcats can meow similar to house cats. That’s what I heard several times from my tent – I doubt a feral cat would be way out here. I refilled water bottles from Walnut Creek and headed down the wash, through the Narrows and joined the AZT at the Gila River. On the way, I skirted around a dead coyote and a dead…

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…

I had quite a leisurely day in Superior. I wandered down to Los Hermanos of breakfast and met my first fellow GET hiker, Rain Man. Back to the motel and met six more AZT hikers. Wow, when I hiked the AZT in 2012, I only saw two other thru-hikers in 800 miles. I managed to arrange a return to the TH tomorrow with Rusty. A later start than I would like but a sure thing and avoids a long wait…

Not in a rush so a rare two cups of coffee morning. Much warmer last night and supposed to be hot and windy today and tomorrow. Good timing for a ZERO! On the way down the hill, I surprised a large herd of mule deer, 14 in total, single file, running, jumping and hopping across the trail. Saw three more before I reached US Hwy 60. Traffic was fast as I started down the highway towards Superior. A van soon…

Daily Miles: 18.3, Total Miles: 44.2 By morning, there were three great horned owls trying to get each other’s attention. I headed up Rogers Canyon passing a cool-looking cliff dwelling, joining the AZT and keeping an eye out for water. Finally found a few pools of water in the rocks that were much cleaner than last night. Grabbed a liter to get me over the hill. I reached the Rogers Trough TH, climbed up and over Montana Mountain and dropped…

Daily Miles: 15.6, Total Miles: 25.9 I know it’s cold when I put on my down jacket for the last few hours of sleep. I tanked up on spring water before heading out because I know it will probably be dry all day and hoping my destination, Rogers Creek, has a few good pools. A beautiful hike today with stunning views of the Superstitions and Four Peaks in the distance from several high points. The climb into Upper LaBarge Canyon…

Daily Miles: 10.3, Total Miles: 10.3 Mrs. Haze, Ellie (our lab) and I drove up from Tucson and dropped off my first resupply box in Superior. We continued on to the Superstitions, arriving at the First Water TH about 11am. What a nice, cool, clear day to start the trail! Mrs. Haze and Ellie accompanied me for the first few miles in the Superstition Wilderness. Have I ever mentioned I have the best, most supportive wife in the world? Quite…

I will shove off this coming Monday from the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix. I’ve been very busy with last minute preparations. First of all, I’ve been reviewing my gear condition and have had to make some changes: Going with the ULA backpack raises my base weight to just over 13 lbs so still looking for ways to reduce. All meals are made and resupply boxes mostly filled, pretty much the same menu as previous hikes. Granola or oatmeal or…

My intention is to start the GET at the First Water TH in the Superstitions in mid-March 2018 and hike to the Brandenburg Ranger Station and Aravaipa Canyon western TH. Mrs. Haze will pick me up and we take a few weeks off for family obligations. I will then resume the trail by mid-April and finish at Sandia Peak in late May. This hike will be, perhaps, my most lonely and remote trail. No official count but an estimated 15-20…