SKIT Day 16: Rincon Mountains

Daily Miles: 14.0, Total Miles: 210.0

After a couple of zero days, some good meals, catching up with Mrs. Haze and Ellie, and watching my grandson’s last baseball game of the season, Mrs. Haze drove me back to Loma Alta TH and walked with me for a few miles. I re-joined the SKIT/AZT at the Quilter Trail junction and immediately started gaining elevation into the Rincons. I’ve always liked this trail for good views of Rincon Peak and back towards Tucson and the surrounding mountains.

I had lunch at Grass Shack CG, a couple of pools remaining in the nearby creek. Then steadily climbed all the way to the pine forested Manning Camp, a nearly 5,000 ft elevation gain.

I had the backcountry CG all to myself. After I set up my tent, I walked a short distance up the hill. I was rewarded with a beautiful sunset and great views of where I’ve come from.

It’s going to be cold tonight. I then remembered this CG is where I built my one and only campfire of all my hikes. On the AZT in 2012 – one of my coldest nights too.

I saw only one AZT hiker and a few weekend hikers.