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| Hiking | 15.12 Miles |
1,670 AEG |
| | Hiking | 15.12 Miles | 6 Hrs 31 Mns | | 2.51 mph |
| 1,670 ft AEG | 29 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | I think this was the first time I got an entire passage of the AZT done in one day. This area towards the south seems to be catered to that sort of thing. We dropped Andy's truck off at the north end of the trial just off of SR83 and then I drove the rest of us to the Oak Tree TH and we all headed northbound.
The first half mile or so is along a dirt road that heads toward the AZT, then you turn right and head north. As Andy and I got to that spot, Wally and Ray had passed the turn and were headed south on AZT5. Luckily they were within earshot as I yelled to tell them of their mistake. They got back on the trail and passed us in no time.
There was an initial climb that gave way to some nice views belows as we descended in several small canyons of washes that drained off of Mt. Fagan. The first big drop was followed by several small to medium climbs that seemed to outgain the drops, but they actually didn't. Andy was dealing with a lower leg strain/injury and had requested that we do this hike NOBO to reduce the AEG. I'm glad he did because it was a mild slog NOBO and the uphills didn't give way until the last 2+ miles.
The middle section of this passage is home to a whole lot of cattle, both very close to the trail and many visible in the distance. every time we passed them on the trail, they would all eyeball us and get skittish if you got too close. the cow patties in the section were voluminous. We made great time to start, then slowed down as the climbs became more frequent. the lunch break was nearly 2/3 of the way because of the initial fast start.
Didn't see many other hikers, only 2 thru hikers that seemed to be waking up after we were 2 miles in, then another group of older day hikers that took another dirt road in from 83 to do a short out and back. also saw 2 bikers and 2 hunters. the hunters were looking for javelina and told me they didn't see any, but they were kind of high in elevation for that. Later on we hiked through a big prickly pear forest that seemed to be a better spot to look for javelina.
Andy was the last guy back, but barely a half hour after me being a full health. His calf strain had got worse, but he was able push through thankfully. Got back to my car on the south end of the passage and then were on our way by 3pm. Weather was great, hazy clouds rolled in before noon to give us some shade and cooler temps. nice to get a whole passage done in one day. |
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