300 Down and we're off again

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#1

Sorry if this ends up a double post. I first posted a few days ago but just noticed that it never made it to the forum.

Annie my intrepid hiking partner and I left the Mexican border on 2/16 in our attempt to thru hike the AZT. It has been quite a hike so far. We have 300 miles under our belts when we reached US 60 early Friday AM 3/4. We have been home the last few days getting our resupply boxes sent out for the northern portion of our trip.

I’ve been sending water reports to Fred as we go.

We’ve encountered some snow along the way but with the recent snowstorm, the conditions which were present when we went through the mountains have surely changed. We’ve experienced relatively benign conditions. In fact this was one of the reasons for our early departure. We also had hoped to give ourselves the option of extending our hike into Utah along the Colorado Plateau on the Hayduke route if all went well. Howevever if we encounter too much snow in the northern section we’ll just kick back on our pace, take it easy and enjoy all the AZT has to offer.

Annie is keeping a journal over at Trail Journals if you want to check on our progress from time to time.

We are getting back on trail tomorrow afternoon at US 60

I’ll put up another post on any significant trail conditions when we get to Pine. Until then wish us luck and hope to see you on the trail.

Desert Nomad

Desert Nomad

#2

I will be Southbounding starting this Thursday the 10th from Flagstaff, intent on hiking to the AZ 87, 30 miles south of Payson over spring break. See you out there, maybe we can give each other hi-fives or something when we pass. I figure about 187 miles is doable for a spring break trip. Hey there is little snow around Flagstaff in the forest. It snowed on and off all day and none stuck. The snow from the storms last weekend, is nearly gone. There is snow on the peaks, but you’ll cruise on through, don’t worry about a thing up here. Streams are flowing, birds are chirping, and life is good.

Guino

#3

Thanks Guino for the update. That is good news. Hope to see you on the trail. We are ready to get back out on the trail. How long will you be out on the trail for spring break?

Desert Nomad

#4

I will be hiking about 10 days to get done and back here to Flagstaff by Sunday the 20th of March. I figure that will be good for a 187 miles if I keep my stuff light. It snowed last night here, but now it is all gone. We just had a dusting in Flagstaff. The mountains might have got a few inches, but not enough to worry about.

Guino

#5

I searched for Annie’s and Desert Nomad’s 2011 AZT TJ. What is it listed under?
Thanks

GottaWalk

#6

There journal is under Epic Journey

Turtle Walking

#7

Got it. Annie=Sandy. Larry=Will=Desert Nomad. AZT=Epic Journey. Whew!

I had already been reading and enjoying the Tyler journal. I missed the equivalents! Thanks for the help

Marcia

#8

Well we made it to Pine yesterday. There was some grueling hiking through the 4 Peaks area and the Matzatzals. For those who are planning on coming thru these areas, here’s a little update for you.

I sent a report to Fred on the water conditions. Bring your life preservers. There’s enough water to float a boat in passages 18-26. Every water source listed on Fred’s report had water and there were sources not listed that had water. No need to carry more than a couple of liters at a time. The water should be good for at least 2-3 more weeks and probably longer as there is still plenty of snow on the north slopes of 4 Peaks and Mt. Peeley.

Snow: We hit snow at 5200 feet on the north side of 4 Peaks and at 6200 ft on the north slopes of Mt.Peeley. For the most part it wasn’t that deep: maybe10 -18 inches on average although I postholed up to my waist a few times at 4 Peaks. The snow was fairly soft, just a few icy sections where I had to kick steps. No need for ice axe, crampons or snowshoes just a little patience as it will slow you down a bit.

The Matzatzals were a trip. Not as bad as I expected but still very rugged. Tremendous views but I’m glad to be through that section. The devastation from the fire wore on me a bit.

Guino where are you? Still out there? We are at the cabins by the restaraunt just up the road from the TH in Pine tonight 3/17. Stop byI’ll buy you a green brewski.

GottaWalk sorry for the multiple aliases and confusion. Too much Arizona sun pentrating my bald head and frying my few remaining neurons.

Next update from Flag in a week or so. Back on trail in a day or two. Quite the journey so far.

Anyone know how the snow conditions are between Pine and Flagstaff?

Desert Nomad

#9

Sorry guys. Last weekend I couldn’t hike. I had a really bad fever and some horrible sore throat going on. So I decided to just head down and see the Family in Tucson. I slept a few days and just did a 50 mile hike in the Catalina mtns. Cipro and the sun aren’t supposedly good, but i don’t know why. I’m feeling better now but my ears feel really weird they keep popping. I finished off an old prescription for Cipro and this seems to have helped me.

I really wanted to do some big miles over spring break, but oh well. Can’t have everything. My biggest regret is that I got to Hutch’s pool after 6PM and I didn’t jump in since it was really cool out, just got water and walked past deciding to do some night hiking instead.

At one wash crossing I turned on my head lamp out of some Lion-ophobia and the first thing I saw was a pair of eyes staring at me. I yelled while hiking toward it, and a beautiful Ringtail slowly turned around and climbed further into the tree on which it was resting. I love night hiking in the desert.

I think you wont find any significant snow on the Mogollon Rim. It hasn’t snowed in two weeks up there.

Guino

#10

Guino,

Would you happen to have coordinates for Hutch’s Pool? I walked past it without noticing it and I’d like to note it on a map. Thanks.

Shawn

#11

My best guess according to my GPS is N 32°22’27.6", W 110°47’31.4". There isn’t a sign for Hutch’s Pool, there is just a large cairn, a several foot tall pile of rocks. Going north, or west up that canyon, the trail follows Sabino creek for a bit, then leaves it going up hill and is then far from any creek. Just before the trail leaves Sabino creek the last time there’s the cairn, and a short use trail to it. Just before there are several use trails leading to campsites.

Guino

#12

Guino: sorry to hear about your illness. we were looking for you.

You were right. No snow until yesterday when we got blitzed with a foot of snow and 35 mph winds south of Mormon Lake. We made it to Hwy 3 Mary Lake Rd and then hitched to Mormon Lake where we had a beautiful cabin with a fireplace. In Flagstaff today tending to some medical issues. Hopefully nothing serious. We then will decide what to do about a return to the trail. It is still winter up here in the north country.

Desert Nomad

#13

We made it to GCNP yesterday. Got our permit today. We’re taking a few extra days in the Canyon to savor its beauty and solitude. Heading out tomorrow. We are starting out from Grandview Pt. Heading down to the Colorado river and then following the Escalante and Beemer routes to the Little Colorado. Hope to ferry across and then hike out via Nankoweap Canyon. Plan on snowshoeing to Jacob Lake.

For anyone coming north on the AZT from Flagstaff in the next week or so. I severely underestimated the amount of snow north of Snowbowl ski resort. There is still 1-3 feet in the woods for several miles. We spent an afternoon in postholing hell but it’s all part of the experience. Trail life is good.

Good water until Snowbowl. Not much thereafter. No water from Russell Tank to Tusayan (35 miles); so camel up.

Hope to see you on the trail.

Desert Nomad

Desert Nomad

#14

Correction on the distance from Russell Tank to Tusayan: about 26-27 miles

Desert Nomad

#15

Best of luck on your last stretch of the AZT- you two have chosen a fantastic itinerary through the Grand Canyon!

Sirena

#16

I was just up there there Friday and Saturday, was hoping to see some AZTr’s on the Kaibab. My timing was a little off though. I night hiked starting at 8PM the Kaibab Tonto Bright Angel Loop, then rested a few hours just below the Coconino from 2 till 6Am in a secret spot. I then headed down to Phantom then back up the Kaibab. 30 miles in 19 hrs. Lots of day hikers from Phoenix doing a cancer awareness thing, that were fun to hike around, I had a full pack they had day packs. Altitude was in my favor. I missed not seeing you guys or any other thru hikers though. Good luck with that boat hitch across the river. I know a bunch of people get rides. Sounds like your adding some Hayduke trail to your AZT. It’s good to mix it up for sure.

Have fun on the Beamer Trail. Hydro and I got some serious vertigo out there and turned around. Though I kick myself and need to do it again. Maybe next weekend if I can get a permit.

Guino

#17

That is interesting. Is the vertigo due to a narrow trail? Bright Angel and Kaibab are so wide. I have wondered if other trails might be a little hairier. APPLE

APPLE

#18

The ranger at the permit office said many people experience it on the Beamer trail. THe trail is narrower, though not that bad. It’s more like the constant views, looking up down left right, that give you the vertigo. I should go back and head to the Little Colorado River. It is only 80 miles from my place to the Canyon.

Guino

#19

I’ve got this thing with heights. I didn’t get vertigo but I had to work really hard on keeping my focus. There are some spots on the Beamer where the trail is at the edge and it is about 300 feet down to the water. The Escalante and Beemer routes are fantastic hikes.

Desert Nomad

#20

I’ve enjoyed following Epic Journey and will continue to read along. It’s been a great trek from where I sit.

I did not mean to step on hiker toes when I called Epic Journey an AZT hike. I had been looking for the journal on TJ under “Other Trails” and merely wanted to direct other potential readers to look under the TJ section “AZT 2011 hikes”.

Hike on!
GottaWalk

GottaWalk