March 26

Our bodies fell into a deep sleep and by morning the recovery had already began. This was just what we needed. Our bodies were clean as well as our socks and shirts. The electronics are charged. Tracy, our friend from Oracle wants to meet us here and do a day hike. Before she arrives we par down our packs, out go the micro spikes and rain pants. We get rid of a little more food and we eliminate over a pound of weight. With Tracy able to take our excess gear it is motivating to lighten our load. The motto of ounces turn into pounds is so true! I walk to the nearby grocery store , buy cheese for the rations and buy some yogurt and bananas for breakfast.

Tracy arrives by 9 and we head to the nearby bakery for some last minute treats. Back to the trailhead and off we go. Yesterday our thought was to only do about 5 miles, we will see if that is still the plan.

We don’t mind the flat surface with very little rocks.

It is amazing what a goodnights sleep will do. Don’s feet are feeling better! As the map foretold we are doing a lot of contouring today. It’s the type of day that you see the trail that you are going to take as it winds around ravines. There are slight up hills and then slight down hills. We pass an older hiker called Enigma. He tells us he only has one pace and it is slow!

Tracy is developing a plan to hike the AZT in sections. We think that is a good goal and encourage her to do so. She has very kindly offered to carry a couple liters of water for us until she departs. We so appreciate that.

After Tracy leaves we start looking for a flat spot to camp. After an hour or so of hiking we are beginning to wonder if we might be cowboy camping. The land doesn’t lend itself to flat spots. We keep going a little further and then there it is a flat spot. We cook up dinner and share the piece of fudge that we got at the bakery this morning. All is well as we enjoy the scenes around our tent.

Enigma finally passes our campsite and tells us that he wants to walk at least another mile. we wish him well and head to bed. We hiked twice as far as our original plan.

Miles hiked 11.5

March 27

The wind that had been blowing during the day, stopped by the time we went to bed. Overall it was a very peaceful campsite. We were up by 5 and on the trail by 6. No need for a headlamp! Today we are going up to the sky island of Mt. Wrightson,

There is a trail that would take you to near the top, but the AZT just gives views.

It was a short and steep climb to gain the elevation we needed to do today before heading down to the next valley, For awhile we got to enjoy the coolness of a pine forest.

Arizona is a geologist delight. Rocks in all colors can be found along the trail, except for the one that the miners were looking for, Gold

We have to pass under a couple of interesting boulders, making us wonder how they got here,

The trail goes between the two boulders.

Once we get down to the valley floor, there is plenty of water. We rock hop across this stream several times.

For the next several miles till we reach Kentucky camp, there are informational signs telling us about the old mining in the area.

We then hiked along the pipe that was used to move the water up hill.

Gold mining was a huge failure in this area. One of the signs said they spent over $200,000 in the operation and only got about $2000 dollars worth of cold.

Our next stop is Kentucky camp where there is a restored cabin that was used by the managers in the mining operation. It is a relatively flat trail to get there,

This building has been restored and gives one an idea of what it was like to live here in the early 1900’s A nearby cabin can be rented out for the evening.

There is potable water here, bathrooms and an electric outlet. We take advantage of all three and decide to make our dinner here before moving on to find a campsite. Several bike packers stopped at the camp to check it out as well. We meet a couple of hikers Double Stuff, Back track and Grapefruit Punk. They are also going to camp near here. They are the only hikers we have seen today.

Miles hiked 20

March 28

The campsite we chose last night was not flat and by morning we were both falling out of the tent. After 4;30am I decided we had had enough of this slipping sleep and we should just get up. We started hiking at 5;45 with just enough light to make out the road we were walking on. In about an hour we passed by the hikers that we had talked to yesterday. They were just having hot drinks in their tent. we waved and most likely will see them again, which we did when we stopped to have breakfast.

Most of the day was spent walking thru the St. Rita mountains.

Not a lot of elevation gain, but when the sun came up it was hot! Mainly small ups and then down.

In the distance we saw a large plume of smoke rising. We were glad that we had been notified that there was going to be a prescribed burn today. We have hiked thru many burned areas and can understand why there is a desire to get the underbrush thinned.

At two of the trailheads we met a group of volunteers who were putting in a new resupply box and a new sign. Many volunteers keep this trail in good condition. We had lunch where they were working and used some of the water that was available for hikers. There is some water sources in the area, but with all the cows we are glad to be able to use the water in the boxes. We are thankful in this area that the cows don’t seem to be a threat unlike the cows around the Gila drainage. Most of them take one look at us and take off.

Today it one of the warmest we have experienced and we use our umbrellas for most of the day.

Don uses the one trekking pole with his hand on the umbrella.

I have figured out how to stabilize my umbrella and use both trekking poles.

Thankful today for the volunteers, potable water, our umbrellas and a trail that was more flat than steep. It was also nice not to have so many rocks on the trail.

Miles hiked 22

March 29

Our mode of operation is getting up at 5 and on the trail around 5;45. as the days are warming up we like getting some miles in when it is still cooler. The ocotillo is covered in green leaves which indicates that rain has been plentiful this spring.

Our destination for breakfast is a resupply box near a highway. This box is usually reliable for water as it is an easy drop off.

Sure enough it was full of clear drinkable water. (yeah not needing filters)

As we were just starting to eat breakfast, Calves approached with a couple of oranges. He has hiked the AZT 4 times and helps with shuttles in the area.

He has made several informative you tube videos about the trail.

More flat walking today thru a prickly pear forest.

Today we get to go under interstate 10 that has a well known painting. Most blogs of the trail will definitely have photos of this!

And of course we had to take a selfie as well

It continues to be hot today and after our selfie we headed to the shade of the underpass to cool off.

The next stop was the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead. The trailhead was named for Gabe who was killed in 2012 during a mass shooting that killed or injured 19 people. It was a sober minute as we read about his life.

A picnic table with shade provided us a nice place to have lunch before heading back into the sun towards our destination of Colossal Cave.

In the distance and using a zoom lens we saw this structure. We later learned it was a private residence complete with a train that went around it.

The trail veered away from the castle and headed toward Colossal cave.

As we were getting closer our first blooming cactus caught our eye,

Then on the hillside we see the building for Colossal Cave.

In early March we had dropped a resupply box here and now we get to retrieve it! We had kept up the pace to get here before it closes so after setting up our tent at a nearby campground Don heads up to the building. I stay back and do some hand washing of our shirts, pants and most importantly our socks. The water for drinking and washing is cold and refreshing. The campground was built by the CCC in the 30’s and as usual we are impressed with the stonework. The cave buildings were also built by the CCC.

It is about a quarter mile to the Cave buildings, however it is mostly up. Don retrieves the package and as well walks quickly back with some prickly pear ice cream for me.

The forecast for tomorrow is for cooler and windy weather. We will look forward to that! Even though we hiked 18 miles today we got here early afternoon so we are calling this day a nero. (a half day of hiking) With clean clothes and socks we are ready to tackle the next section!

Miles hiked 18