Hey everyone, Riley and I are finishing our hike together today, and it is an emotional moment for me as I again say farewell to the Arizona Trail. This has been my favorite thru hike that I have done thus far, and I had little idea of it at the time, but my hike through …
Flagstaff to Arizona Snowbowl, 16 Miles Back on the trail. A tough climb out of Flagstaff on the “urban route of the AZT.” This is a popular route, and we are dodging our fair share of mountain bikers along the way. Looking forward to seeing the Grand Canyon again. I have whitewater rafted on the …
Day 1: New York City to Pine Arizona, 3 Miles And we’re back. Back on the Arizona trail, aiming to complete the rest of what I could not complete on the trail in the Spring due to one of the heaviest snowfalls on record last winter. This trip will be in 3 legs, each 7 …
Roosevelt Lake Marina to Oak Flat Trail Junction, 21 Miles. What a day, and what a climb! Today started out difficult, as I slept poorly the cowboy camped outside the visitor’s center. Stuck in my head for the first part of the day, I began the difficult ascent from the Marina, 6,500 ft of elevation …
Kearny to the Gila River Wash, 18 Miles. Picked up my packages on my way out of Kearny. New clothes, new shoes, fresh Aquamira water treatment. Feels good to be in something that has not yet processed so much salt from perspiration. Back on the trail, today was windy and hot. But beautiful. In the …
Day 14: Summerhaven to the Kannaly Wash Windmill, 19 Miles. Leaving Summerhaven at the late hour of 6:30, The Accountant and I begin a short roadwalk along the General Hitchcock Highway, named after a former postmaster general. Leaving the highway, we find the trail out of Summerhaven has a few more tricks to pull before …
Day 9: La Posta Quemada to Rincon Creek, 9 Miles. A shorter day today, and I am thankful for the rest. I am camping tonight at the border of Saguaro National Park. Saguaro is has 2 official campsites over its 17 mile range of the Arizona Trail. Issue is, these have to be reserved in …
Day 5: Patagonia AZ to Anaconda Spring, 19 Miles. Got a late start today at 7:45. Waking up in a hotel already feels strange, frantic as I quickly pack back up and check that nothing is left behind. I set out, the Arizona sun already beginning to blaze over the next 5 miles of roadwalking …
Day 1: Coronado National Monument to Miller Peak, 6 Miles On trips like these, I often have to prepare for something unexpected to happen while I’m doing what is expected. For example, I knew that right out the gate that this trail begins with one of the most difficult continuous climbs, gaining elevation from the …