I don't get down to the south side of these mountains very often anymore. Hadn't been to Miller Peak from Montezuma Pass in at least 9 years; probably not since the 90s. Going back reminded me of why this is not my favorite way to get to the peak: too exposed for the first couple of miles. Pretty country though. This was the first time I ever went to Miller Peak before Mt. Wrightson in a new calendar year. Unseasonably warm weather made this pleasant. Normally, I won't hit these sky island peaks until May. It was an interesting day.

While at Montezuma Pass waiting for the Phoenix hikers to show up, blind hiker Mike Armstrong and his contingent set out to do a segment of the Arizona Trail. We caught up with them again later on the trail on our way to Miller. Their goal for the day was Parker Canyon Lake.