|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 15.85 Miles |
2,149 AEG |
| | Hiking | 15.85 Miles | 7 Hrs 9 Mns | | 2.33 mph |
| 2,149 ft AEG | 20 Mns Break | 27 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Three purpose hike. Wanted to give some love to the National. It’s been along time since I’ve hiked this trail. Also, wanted to finish off this section of the MT. Finally, I wanted to see what it felt like backpacking in preparation for an AZ Trail segment.
Got to the “TH” around 7am. Parked on the side of the road a little bit out side of SoMo park and picked up the Maricopa Trail as it entered the park. This gave me some added mileage with the MT (maybe 1.5 miles) and because of where it junctures with the National, I missed out on the extreme western portion of the National (maybe .3 miles). National trail hasn’t changed much. I did notice that the ramada that use to be on the side of San Juan Rd. has been removed. The picnic table is still there, but the shading is gone. Hit Goat Hill and took my first break. Met two woman coming down and 1 guy, with his own backpack chilling up top. Trails were busy between Goat and Telegraph, but not too bad elsewhere. Took second break Buena Vista Lookout. Nice to reach spot knowing that most of the climbing was over with. The National is no picnic to begin with carrying an extra 27 pounds didn’t make it any more enjoyable. Wife was there at the end, with a Dew  to shuttle me back.
Figured out that I have a lot to learn about backpacking. Shoulders and hips very sore at the end. Hats off to all backpackers 
Minimal wildlife. Saw 3 coyotes around the mines. Very unafraid. Two of them were actually walking towards me. One had a slight limp  |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
