Daily Miles: 16.5, Total Miles: 286.0 Owl hoots echoed down the canyon off and on all night long. I awoke early this morning to something sniffing around my head. Did the usual bang on the tent and loud yell and I heard it move away a few feet. I repeated the bang and yell but by the time I got my headlamp out, whatever it was, was long gone. Tough and slow hiking but I got my reward in great…
Most of the morning was spent getting through Safford, across the Gila Valley cotton fields, then up to Solomon Pass. Just beyond the pass, the Freeport McMoran copper mine is expanding adjacent to the GET route along Salt Trap Road. I chased the cows away and filled water bottles at the solar powered well on the Spring Canyon alternative. Shortly thereafter I joined the Safford-Morenci Trail, an old trade route now used for hiking. The route weaved through canyons and…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 242.3 A much needed day of rest to give the mind and body a good recharge. I repaired one tent zipper but got too aggressive with the other one – still OK, just a one-zippered tent. Picked up a few items for the next stretch to Morenci and beyond. I searched for a small gas canister but the nearest one was in nearby Thatcher – tried hitching for a bit but ultimately had to settle…
Daily Miles: 15.3, Total Miles: 242.3 A nice sunrise and I started the mostly downhill trek to Safford through some nice high desert canyon creeks with the backdrop of the full range of the Pinalenos. A good variety of colorful spring flowers was a bonus. A bit baked by the time I got to town – 91 degrees and the wind was kicking up. My first stop was a Subway for hydration. I took off my pack and a bunch…
Daily Miles: 23.0, Total Miles: 227.0 By morning I had my socks, long johns, buff, fleece cap and down jacket on. I hunkered down deep in my sleeping bag. The water bottles were full of slush. I decided to take the Ash Creek bypass route based on recent reports of severe erosion and flood damage. First, about ten miles on the Swift Trail (graded dirt road) across the top of the Pinalenos. Then five miles down the Arcadia Trail, and…
Daily Miles: 14.8, Total Miles: 204.0 I had a restless night with almost total congestion – sinus issues or allergies. I’m not sure. Lots of climbing today in rugged terrain with some overgrown trail. Both the Blue Jay Ridge and the Clark Peak Trail offered expansive views on a cool, clear day. Some bear scat on the Blue Jay but didn’t see anything. Passed closely by Clark Peak and joined the Swift Trail, built by the CCC in the 1930’s….
Daily Miles: 14.9, Total Miles: 189.2 The heavy, gusty winds died down around 6am so at least I was able to heat up water for coffee. I headed into rolling, high desert on dirt roads in the foothills of the Pinalenos. Should have read more closely the description of the bushwhacking section up the ridge overlooking Tripp Canyon. Made it much more difficult and longer for myself, struggling through thick vegetation before rejoining the trail at the top of the…
Daily Miles: 24.2, Total Miles: 174.3 It was a nice day up Turkey Creek which flowed intermittently all the way up the canyon. Exited onto a 4WD road climbing a ridge with impressive views of the Santa Teresa Range and upcoming Pinaleno Mountains. I dropped into Four Mile Canyon and tanked up on water at the BLM campground and strolled into Klondyke. Took a few pics, said hello to some horses and headed east on Klondyke Road. I turned northeast…
Daily Miles: 15.2, Total Miles: 150.1 Mrs. Haze and I set out into the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness about 7:30am on a day the high temperature was expected to be in the mid-90’s. We quickly got to the ankle-deep, cool creek and headed upstream. The canyon walls got higher and higher providing good shade further helped by towering cottonwoods and Arizona sycamores. Although not much of a trail, it wasn’t difficult to navigate and you do get your feet wet! Along…
Daily Miles: 3.1, Total Miles: 134.9 We had a fabulous five days in Charleston SC for my mother-in-law’s 85th birthday. It was made extra special by my sons’ families and 5 grandchildren, 3 months to 7 yrs old. Beach time, carriage tour of old city, southern cooking and lots of seafood and beer. Easily gained back everything I lost so far. We drove out to Aravaipa Canyon today and I did the three-mile road walk from the ranger station to…
