SKIT: Epilogue

My SKIT hike took me 488 miles in a giant corkscrew route over and across 10 separate and distinct Sky Islands in SE Arizona. I broke it up into two halves, one fall and one early spring hike. The fall first half started in the Dragoons, turned south up the San Pedro River and joined the AZT at the top of the Huachuca Mountains. I enjoyed revisiting one of my favorite hikes for the next 150 miles through the Santa Ritas, Rincons and Catalinas. This spring, I came down the eastern flank of the Santa Catalinas, crossed the San Pedro once again. Then into Redfield Canyon, the Galiuros, Santa Teresas, Pinalenos, Dos Cabezas Mountains and finishing in the Chiricahuas. All of these Sky Islands unique, rugged, beautiful and full of history.

Other than the section sharing the AZT, I didn’t see a single hiker except for a group of migrants coming down the eastern flank of the Huachucas.

When I wasn’t making noise thrashing (or cursing) through prickly vegetation and flood debris choked canyons, I did see a lot of wildlife including countless whitetail, javelina, coyotes, rabbits, two Gila monsters, turkeys, owls and rattlesnakes. Some of the nimble-footed cows also looked very wild.

I consider this to be one of the toughest, most challenging hikes I have done, especially the second half. The remoteness, the fire and flash flood damage, the cross-country bushwhacks, narrow canyons and overgrown vegetation took a toll. Am I glad I did it? Yes, no regrets. Would I do it again? Yes, but selectively.

The SKIT is not much for trail towns or culinary delights but I did enjoy Patagonia and the Velvet Elvis Pizzeria, Klondike bars in Klondyke, a nice, juicy steak in Willcox and an all-day breakfast at the Portal Cafe.

So what’s next? It may be all the SW hikes I have done in the last few years, but I’m now thinking ocean breezes. Maybe the Oregon Coast Trail combined with extensions into Northern California. I am also frequently reminded about the AT and finishing the Triple Crown. Nice to have choices!