After our short hike on AZT#17 a few days ago I was back out to do more 4x4 recon prior to taking on a longer hike along the AZT. I made use of HAZ Route Manager to pore over the satellite view of the terrain in hopes of mapping out as much of the route as possible ahead of time. It appeared there was a vague 6 mile loop route that would take me across the Arizona Trail in a few different locations. So I loaded it on my GPS and set out all my gear the night before.

I set out early with hopes to be on the old FR976 by sunrise but due to new erosion along Ajax Rd I was about 30 minutes later than expected. From there I followed it into BLM land where it deteriorated noticeably. Once into the loop part of my mapped route it wasn't long before I encountered a hill that would bring me to the brink of my comfort level. And so with memories of my solo close-call with disaster last week I decided to stop and do some recon on foot before deciding whether to try the hill or not. As usual, what was to be a quick 100 yard scout turned into a 3 hour 6+ mile loop hike covering the route I tentatively mapped out the night before. I'll detail the hike in its own triplog.

From walking the terrain of the loop, I decided the best course of action was to turn around then drive as far around the loop in the other direction before wrapping it up for the day. I did just that, driving as far as to the AZT#16/AZT#17 junction. So... I found out the trail head for AZT#17 at the farthest out point of the loop, only to be reached by non-motorized travel on the AZT itself, or by ATV or very capable 4x4. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but there it is.

Photos will be posted along with the hike trip log coming soon.

Being stopped on my planned 4x4 recon by a hill I didn't care to climb I figured it was worth scouting ahead to see if it was worth the attempt. I grabbed a 20 oz bottle of Gatorade, a Balance bar, camera and GPS then set off on foot. I went a short distance and it seemed ok but not far ahead it looked more suspect so I thought I'd go just a bit farther. After the same scenario for the third time I was almost halfway around the loop I mapped the night before and with the day being cool I had plenty of Gatorade so I continued on around.

Once I got to a saddle that was the halfway point I was drawn off to the southwest by a wash that had some quite interesting rock formations. After wandering off on a 1-mile jaunt I got back on track. I descended a hill that I definitely wouldn't want to drive up or down, then going up the other side what do I see but Mile 0.0 of AZT#17 right where the road crosses the trail. Here at least 3 miles of very treacherous 4x4 road is the location of the trail head for section #17 of the Arizona Trail. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but that's the way it is.

Rather than following the AZT I followed to road to make sure it was feasible to drive, which it was, so immediately after finishing the loop on foot I drove all the way out and back. There were a few very steep hills that were hard enough to keep my footing while walking but they turned out to be a piece of cake for the Samurai.

I only posted 50 photos on HAZ, the full set of 133 photos is here:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/public/album.php?id=44

I'll be back in a few days to drive back out and hike AZT#16 south from the point I reached today.