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| Backpack | 31.69 Miles |
5,156 AEG |
| | Backpack | 31.69 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 5,156 ft AEG | | 18 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | This 2 day trip was our attempt to finish the rest of the Highline Trail where it splits off from Passage 26 on the Arizona Trail at Washington Park. Our plan was to head east and finally knock this one out, but a hiking partner fell ill to dehydration and altitude issues so we had to call it quits at Christopher Creek and hitch out to get our car. With only 6.5 miles left to do, we'll revisit it later this summer as an easy day hike.
Day 1 was loooong. We ended up hiking 24 actual miles to Horton Spring instead of the pre-measured 19 miles we were supposed to hike. I don't know if there's a time warp or bend in the space-time continuum, but we stayed on trail and did those 5 extra miles somehow. GPS was working fine on 2 devices and both showed the same 24 mile result. Weird. Water was decent at the usual spots, and Horton Spring was amazing. We finished day 1 in the dark by headlamp, so we didn't see the springs until morning. What a great spot to camp. There were probably a dozen other backpackers camping here, but we found a great spot for 3 tents out of the way and on flat ground. As soon as we turned in for bed, our 3rd party started vomiting and continued doing so well into the evening and next morning. We got them hydrated and feeling better, but the AMS was kicking in and the headache and fatigue really took them down on day 2.
Day 2 was when we realized our partner needed to get off the trail. At a slower pace, we did the 8 miles to Christopher Creek and got them off the mountain and back down to Payson where they immediately recovered. A giant tray of Del Taco turned out to be part of the cure.
By the way, the Highline Trail is a real butt kicker. With the constant ups and downs and with the sun pounding on you in the exposed and rocky sections, you'll get your money's worth on this trail.
Highline, we'll come back and finish you once and for all! |
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| "Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clean away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." - John Muir |
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