SKIT Day 21: Redfield Canyon

Daily Miles: 12.6, Total Miles: 289.0

A quiet, still night except for being serenaded from time to time by owls and coyotes. My new quilt was very comfy and warm but not really put to the test.

I headed out east on a steady climb for eight miles to the edge of the Redfield Canyon Wilderness. Great views of the Catalinas and Rincons to the west and the upcoming Galiuro Mountains to the east.

On the drop into the spectacular Redfield Canyon, my legs were rebelling from the downhill from the day before.

Once on the canyon floor, I hiked downstream for a few hundred yards next to pretty Redfield Creek. My destination was the Cliff House. A newlywed cowboy couple built the remote “mansion” in the 1930’s right into the sheer cliff. Now abandoned, beautiful and mysterious.

I then headed upstream along the bank or wading up the creek until I met a section of huge boulders and small waterfalls. A bit of bouldering, shades of Hayduke, got me over the top with a few backtracks. After about a mile of this, the stream bed leveled out and the small stream no longer had water.

I found a small sandbar, more like small rocks, with just enough room for my tent in the narrow canyon. A bit early for me but I’m beat – dinner and sleep.

A few more whitetail today as well as a creek full of small fish, probably endangered chubs. Didn’t see a soul today.