Virtual AZT: Roosevelt to Pine and 300 Miles

 Up early and fresh off three zero days...

 

We had some rain last night and it has lowered the temperatures, for now. They call this part passage 20 and it encompasses the four peaks.

As we climb we will be surrounded by vegetation and pine forests.

Unlike the last miles of dry, arid desert.

I don't have to worry about water supply.

From the trail we can overlook Superstition Wilderness.
 

The name derived from a Phoenix newspaper man who was a bit of a hermit and moved to this area in 1891...building a home and staying out here until his death leaving the land to the federal government.

We also traverse the Four Peaks.

Not quite as green, but very scenic.

Leveling off at the end to Apache Lake!
 

About ten miles before Pine crossing the 300 mile marker.

...only 500 miles to go... 

And finally the dirt path that leads us into Pine and the 21st Passage.

 Pine Mountains

 The beginning of Passage 21.

 

 Camping here and starting the Tonto National Forest tomorrow!

Catch Everyone further up the trail on Wednesday!

Love,

"Beans" 

 (...who somehow missed the 200 mile marker back at Oracle...go figure...)

 

4th of July...Busy Week...Lachlan...And Bears

 It has been very people-y for the past week and a half.  

John and I shared briskets, jalapeno poppers and the newest orange cream (...think Dreamcicle...) shake from Arby's...played in the plants and spoiled Tux.

Tina and I, had our Sisters Day with political talk and Pulled Pork BBQ fixed in the crock pot Lennon sent me...Baked Beans...Potato Salad...Sweet Tea, and Peach Pie Ala Mode for afters!

Tina and Chris and Lachan were here last Sunday and we chatted and spoiled the baby...who is up and walking and not really a baby, anymore. Six teeth, loves to eat everything, and has made buddies with Tux, now. 

Don and Chris and Lachlan came yesterday with Chinese Food...and it was wonderful to have an afternoon to catch up on each others lives....and be Grandma and Grandpa...for our Summer Visit. 

 

 Sometimes...when the world is in such disarray and politics seem insane...and there is just so much to process...we tend to forget how very blessed we really are.

Today...we rest.

Plenty of leftovers...no need to cook.

Play on the computer.

Play with the cat.

Take a deep bubble bath...and a good nap.

It will all still be there tomorrow!

Life is Good.

Checked in with coffee on the bear-folk this morning.

So many out of hibernation and active.

So many salmon...already!

Still waiting for some.

Missing Otis severely.

Watching the hierarchy re--group...and #856 is definitely SHERIFF in town...but #164 (Bucky-Dent) has been coming into his own...pirating a fish right out of #856's mouth and dashing away...living to tell the tale.

We were all shocked...but none so much as #856, himself.

And #212 has the dubious honor of being Grazer's first grazering this year.

I don't know her very well, but apparently she strayed too close. 

Apart from the three cubs that 909 lost before the season even started...and Grazer's remaining yearling (Biggie) we haven't seen any new cubs, yet.

Grazer and Biggie

 

Haven't found out for sure if Biggie is a male or female...but he is definitely Backpack's cub! Already has the stripe (Holly's stripe...Backpack's mom) down his back.

 

Have A Great Rest of The Weekend!

Love,

Carla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Rest...did somebody say rest??? I'm on it!"

                                                                                                                   -Gadget 

 MINI-UPDATE:

 

#27  Scuba Steve is back and goofy as ever.

 

#32 Chunk came back to the river-side today. His right side is healing nicely...he is maintaining his weight. His r foreleg limp is lessening and although most of his front teeth except one canine are gone and his broken jaw won't close completely (...and he drools..a lot) he has figured out how to eat using his back jaw teeth and was busily snorking up the plentiful scraps on the banks and avoiding everyone.

 

#128jr Biggie revealed she is a SHE...and caught her first ever salmon today!!!

 

and was very happy with herself!

 

 

 Goodnight! 

 

Virtual AZT: Roosevelt Lake

 Beans back...

And ready for 3 days off the trail!

Just rolling into Roosevelt for the holiday weekend...and man...do I need relief from the sweltering heat, the aloneness of the trail in Summer, a bath and a sit down meal or several.

Now I know why almost no one does this after May.

Most of my hike has been limited to dawn and dusk hours.

(...wildlife does seem a lot more active during this time as well...)

My mileage is seriously lacking, and the 200 mile marker is still quite a ways up the trail. Sources say about 10 miles south of Pine.

Still a long way.

Probably my biggest concern has been the rattlesnakes.

 The AZT even has their own subspecies

Known as the Arizona Black Rattlesnake.

These also prefer the coolness of dawn and dusk...and always seem to be irrationally angry.

Sometimes you don't see them but hear a furious buzzing...causing you to stop and stand stock-still until you can figure out where it is coming from.

A bite, out here in the middle of nowhere, would be fatal.

Besides the omnipresent range cattle, I have now seen several types of lizards, including Gila Monsters

and Horned Toads

The former venomous, but shy...the latter aggressive and obnoxious...but harmless.

Along with more Mule Deer, I have now seen an antelope or two.

They are shy and fleeting giving me barely a glimpse...and they are gone.

There are small pig-like creatures called Javelinas (pronounced Havalin)

Who don't seem at all bothered by my presence, and trot by as though I don't exist.

Maybe just looking for water, too.

Water is at a premium this time of year...and until Roosevelt Lake it had been miles since I had seen any at all. Even many of the marked water-spots on the trail map were dried up and dusty washes.

It is unsettling.

This is hard country.

The lake and town is a welcome sight.

Grass greening up before you actually see water.

The bridge reminding me of the Bixby in California.

The hotel is posh!

Especially for the off-season price of $78.00 a night.

Looking forward to a long soak in the tub...taking a look around...getting a good meal and maybe even some fireworks, tonight...given that it is July 4th.

See Everyone on Monday!

                                      "Beans"
 

 

 

 

Virtual AZT: Day 6 & 7

  

Beans...back!

 

From shallow running (clear) streams to towering Saguaro cacti...the terrain is slowly changing.

 Up Mica Mountain

 

 and hike a small way with Waldo...here from the UK...he has been cowboy camping through most of this...but stayed last night with a Trail Angel in Oracle.

I have noticed it is much more comfortable in this heat to walk early in the day and into the early evening.

There are many desert creatures who also take advantage of the cool,  as well.

Lizards, snakes, bats, javelin, hares, antelope and mule deer...a completely different world at dawn and dusk.

As I traveled up Mica there is a bit of snow...it is colder...running water...pine forest.  It is beautiful and so different than the desert below.

8664 feet up...and the summit.

 Heading back down the mountain...into Saguaro National Park and back to the desert, once again.

Everything seems a little greener here. Nicer, somehow. The mountain has offered respite from the red-gray arid landscape of the first few days.

Hiked into Oracle for some supplies and parted ways with Waldo.

But evening is closing in.

Overnight camping is by permit only in the National Park...so hiking just beyond...then stopping for the night.

I will get some critter pictures for you next time.

Love,

(...completely wore out...)

                         "Beans" 

 

 https://youtu.be/eqbiXRfE40k?si=O0grGyA7mC3yivNQ

 

https://youtu.be/peUOjQxlRYE?si=PwiH81-NUA_xilLm 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual AZT: 100 Miles

 

Beans, here...

 

The weekend in Patagonia was heavenly!

Good food...good bath...great rest...and now we're off again.

This is pretty much what the trail looks like in June...a few scrub trees...a lot of prickly pear cactus...and dried tumble weeds. 

Layers of either pinkish or gray dust.

Unbearable heat...even at 10 AM.

It is 88 degrees, now...but expected to reach the high 90's today.

They showed me photos at the Inn of what this looks like in Spring with the colorful blooms.

 

And this current hellscape makes it hard to believe.

Onward we trudge.

I cameled up before I left town and am back with 5L of clear water...so that is something.

It is out here I will learn that mirages are real...where shimmering pools of water lay just out of reach.

Nothing is moving out here besides me.

Not bugs...not snakes...no animals to be seen (except for range cattle) some of which low as I crunch by.

They eye-ball me as though I have lost my sense.

I wonder how they even survive out here.

By mid-afternoon it is blazing, and although I have made much less than 25 miles I am spent.

Once again wondering if I can possibly complete 700 more miles of this.

I have decided to hike a bit this evening when it is still light...but the sun isn't directly overhead.

Catch everyone on Wednesday.

 

Love,

(...the desiccated...)

                     "Beans" 

 

 https://youtu.be/UOfVBVTjxNQ?si=gkVfq6C5f8McTRWN

Waldo- Day 5 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual AZT: Friday...and Patagonia

 

As I said on Wednesday...25 miles a day is a bit ambitious.

 

Made 88 miles this week and ready for my zero weekend...a hot bath...a good meal and a soft bed.

Have seen very little in the way of wildlife (...too hot...and the range cattle don't really count...) Did learn immediately that you don't leave your hiking boots outside the tent overnight...as scorpions tend to get inside. Always shake your shoes in the morning.

 Not deadly, but they can give a nasty sting and seem to be in a perpetually bad mood.

Aside from a Roadrunner (...meep...meep...)

 and a single shy Mule-deer...

and the omnipresent range cattle (...mostly black Angus...).

The landscape has been pretty devoid of visible life.

I have heard coyotes at night...but have yet to see them.

With the exception of a few straggling SOBO hikers, who just seem eager to finish the journey, I have seen NO north-bounds since I started...and feel fairly alone out  here.  

Hoping I am not too late in the season.

The hotel is what you would expect for a small run-down trail-side town. Clean but not Holiday Inn. Nothing matches inside...not sure if this is a quirk or a feature. Think interior done by Goodwill.  A small concrete pool outside with slightly stagnant water that is warm.

The restaurant inside says tonight's special is meatloaf.

But first a good bath.

Trail funk is real.

Catch ya'll on Monday!

Love,

"Beans" 

https://youtu.be/wqySKDBXJuQ?si=qonqsgyYizMYdsA5
 

Virtual AZT: Bathtub Springs...Day Two...and SNOW!

 

Well...this was certainly a surprise...

First, let me say that the 25 miles a day goal might have been a bit over-enthusiastic.

Made a bit less than 20 yesterday, and that was really pushing it.

The trail immediately started up the Huachua Mountains...elevation 8500 feet. It will get your attention.

The desert heat rapidly gave way to blustery winds and then chilliness.

By early evening it was downright cold. 

I fixed my evening meal and turned in after the particularly spectacular sunset

Only to wake in the middle of the night...freezing.

By this morning I was greeted by a blanket of white fluffy snow!

The extremes of this trail are shocking.

I spent the night on the north side of the mountain and this morning began slowly with coffee and warm oatmeal.

Leaving on my thermals I finished up, starting the descent. It was now only 54 degrees.

In a little less than an hour I made it to my first water refill-

Bathtub Springs

 

And the snow was nearly gone.

Bathtub Springs was essentially a real clawfoot tub that had been modified with a trickle pipe to fill from the natural spring...and an overflow hole drilled to control the water so there would always be a moving fresh supply.

Refilled my water bottles using a Platypus filter

 and back with 5L of clean water for the day.

The mountain taking me through the Coranado Forest and some lovely pines. I have yet to see wildlife of any kind...but I am sure this will change as we go on.

The flat spots in these mountains are known as sky-islands...and make perfect camping areas.

Miles to go before I sleep and doubtless will shed the thermals and such as I reach the desert temps once again.

 

Love,

(...slowly thawing...)

                   "Beans" 

Catch everyone on Friday...