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| Hiking | 11.32 Miles |
1,796 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.32 Miles | 7 Hrs 10 Mns | | 2.00 mph |
| 1,796 ft AEG | 1 Hour 31 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Chris is still on his AZT Quest and after reconsidering a 19+ mile hike along Section 3 near Patagonia, we settled for the Bellota Trail portion of the Redington Pass Section #10. I was a little concerned about the weather as it was going to be hot down there. Being up over 4000 ft for the majority of the hike, we thought it would keep the temps in the lower 90's towards the end.
The drive down and the parking for the shuttle took about 4 hours. Chris, Wally and I caravaned to the end of the trail on Redington Pass Road and then drove to the Molina Basin Trailhead to start. We ended up starting about 9am.
I could feel the heat at the start, but looking at the trail, it appeared most of the elevation was at the start climbing up from Mt Lemmon Hwy. The balance was up and down with "a little" climb out at the end.
I was feeling pretty good for most of the hike, making good time. Kinda/sorta keeping up with Wally. But, once we stopped for a lunch break about 1130am, I started feeling the heat. I keep pushing forward and hydrating. I had some powdered electrolytes and energy gels and plenty of water. Once we made it to Bellota Ranch Road, I really started feeling it.
Wally and Chris pulled away and I was moving in slow motion. When the hike started climbing back up I started feeling nauseous and getting a little dizzy. I would find some shade, drink water and rest a little and then start up again. The stops became closer and closer and was not feeling well at all. Around mile 8, the nausea finally got the best of me, and I had a little vomit session. It was almost all water. I found a shady spot, poured some water on my head and ate some of the energy gels I had and a granola bar. I contemplated sending an SOS on my InReach because I wasn't sure if I would be able to hike out. After sitting for what seemed like forever, I started feeling a little better. The nausea and dizziness were gone and started up again. I was going at turtle speed for the rest of the climb up. Looking at the track, it’s really not that bad of a climb, but at the time, it felt never ending. I was relieved to make it to the top of the hill and see Redington Road.
The trail going down was really faint, but I made it to the truck. I think Chris and Wally were happy to see me as they were sitting there for 60-45 minutes, waiting for me.
I learned valuable lessons on this hike. One, I cannot hike in the heat, and I need to avoid any longer hike in the 90's and two, If I didn't hydrate and fuel my body the way I did, it would have been a very bad situation for me (and Chris and Wally, who would have been stranded on Redington Pass Road).
Also, most of this trail was in ok shape, but sections in the middle and towards the end are really faint and hard to follow. Big parts of the trail had tons of catclaw, especially the old road portions. Considering this section is so close to Tucson, I would have expected this to be better maintained. I saw zero mountain bike trails, so that might be why this part of the AZT gets no love? Those biker folks need their groomed trails, you know. |
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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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