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…
I’m so thankful I finished the CDT when I did – Chief Mountain was completely closed the next day due to fire/smoke and an early storm brought freezing temperatures and snow to the high country in the following week. After my CDT finish, Mrs. Haze and I toured the spectacular Canadian Rockies, taking many hikes around Lake Louise and Jasper areas. We enjoyed the early winter storm in front of the fireplace rather than my sleeping bag! So a few…
Daily Miles: 8.6, Total Miles: 2,723.6 Strong winds down the lake all night and probably the warmest night in Montana. We were up early for the final push. After coffee, oatmeal and special donuts, we left Cosley Lake and reconnected to the CDT at Belly River ranger station. A stroll along the Belly River Valley, then a short climb to Chief Mountain. On my last “Hey bear”, I got an answer from Mrs. Haze coming down the mountain. A wonderful…
Daily Miles: 22.0, Total Miles: 2,715.0 I’m in a much better frame of mind after a good night’s sleep. Ryan and I had breakfast at the Swiftcurrent Inn and headed down the road which soon connected to the trail. Within minutes, we had already seen a bear and one of the largest bull moose I have ever seen – very impressive rack. We passed by a few nice lakes and started our climb up to Red Gap Pass at 7,500…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 2,693.0 I got up early this morning and turned the fan off in my room because it was pretty chilly. Jumped back in bed and immediately heard a rustling noise near my backpack at the foot of the bed. Got back up and saw a mouse jump off the back of my pack. During the night, it (or they) stole off with a whole bag of almonds and a package of peanut butter crackers in…
Daily Miles: 15.3, Total Miles: 2,693.0 At least no nighttime visitors, or, if there were, they couldn’t get my attention. I slept like a log. I had a good climb up Piegan Pass and was rewarded with spectacular views of Piegan Mountain and Glacier. Some really nice waterfalls on the way down including Morning Eagle Falls. I had reservations for Many Glacier Lodge along Swiftcurrent Lake and stopped in. The room wasn’t yet ready but I saw a notice about…
Daily Miles: 13.9, Total Miles: 2,677.7 Late last night I was awoken by something crashing across a bunch of downed, burnt timber towards my backcountry campsite. It stopped outside my tent in my little cleared area. I smacked the side of my tent and yelled. Whatever it was jumped back and moved away a bit. I looked out of the tent with my headlamp and saw the outline of the bear scampering around and even careening off the side of…
Daily Miles: 14.7, Total Miles: 2,663.8 8am is about the latest start I’ve had but no real rush this morning. A bit cloudy today but much less smoke in the air. I really enjoyed the climb to Triple Divide Pass – the views of Medicine Grizzly Lake and sheer walls were outstanding. The views on the other side of the pass were equally good, as well as looking down the long valley to Hudson Bay Creek. I entered a large…
Daily Miles: 21.8, Total Miles: 2,649.1 I walked out of the village at first light on a dirt road and trail that crossed a two-mile section of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, then straight into Glacier National Park. A 2,600 ft up and down combined with seven miles got me to the Two Medicine Ranger Station. I paid for and picked up my permit without too much trouble – lots of smoke, a fire to watch out for near Many Glacier…
