Four peaks, mazatzals

imported
#1

So we went through the sections with all the dire warnings and the areas that we’ve heard other “thru hikers” are skipping. Here’s my thoughts.

The four peaks section just out of roosevelt was fantastic. Probably my second favorite section on the trail so far. There is a lot of brush for a handful of miles, but, again, its gorgeous. No skipping is needed. One note though, the azta has a warning of brush on the 7 miles from granite spring to shake spring. The first 2-3 miles of that has been brushed and is clear as can be. The rest of the way to shake is very brushy (like crawling on the ground brushy). The one thing to note is that the map in the book is COMPLETELY WRONG, its just a straight line. And we may have been walking slow, but I would guess the route between those two springs is 10+ miles.

Then into the mazatzals, which were way easier than we expected. The note on the azta website says to watch out on the section 3 miles south of bear springs. We only had to cross 3 logs in there (Thanks trail crews!). There were more logs down AFTER bear springs until you get to the top of the alternate route. Lots of logs, a fair amount of brush, but no route finding difficulties. It looks like this part of the trail had been cleared in the past, but there will just be more and more trees that come down each year. But again, the trail is mostly fine, skipping the section is just silly. Forest fires are part of the natural world and it was great to see all of the new growth and green rising up just a few years after the fire.

We’re in pine now. Its great to get into the trees and we look forward to hiking on the mogollan rim.

Its been great out here for the past month. About 3 weeks left!

happy hiking
Brian & Amy Sweet

brian sweet

#2

I’m glad the Mazatzels are better now. Route finding was definitely an issue when we hiked through. I wouldn’t hike around the Four Peaks either, most of it was really pretty.

Apple Pie

#3

Four Peaks was in great shape with no brush at all back in 2004. Just goes to show how fast the trails tend to brush out at the middle elevations in those parts, compliments of the scrub oaks, mountain mahogany, and acacias, especially. Often what passes for apathy on the part of trail crews or a trail association is in reality a challenge impractical to resolve on a timely basis, and best worth accepting lest it spoil one’s hike, somewhat needlessly.

blisterfree

#4

Thanks for the update. The Mazatzals are really spectacular country, especially the view of the Mazatzals from the trail around Mt. Peeley. I wouldn’t miss it or reroute, its one of the many highlites of the AZT.

As indicated by blisterfree, its a hard job to continually maintain the trail in some spots because of the fast growing vegetation, especially after a disturbance. Hikers can help in key areas, when possible and time allows, by rebuilding knocked over cairns, resetting trail marker posts that have fallen over, and/or remove dead and down trees, if possible, as they pass through the country for the next hiker. My guess is that most hikers do and thanks!

Jasper

#5

I completely agree with Brian. That section wore me out–but I was tired from 2 nights of no sleep going into it . So, I think if I had had more energy it would not have seemed so wearing.
Those sections are doable
Marmot

Marmot

#6

when we went thru it was snowing so the cairns were covered over the blowdown section. it made for interesting hiking…but it sure was gorgeous .

yappy