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| Hiking | 20.83 Miles |
3,550 AEG |
| | Hiking | 20.83 Miles | 9 Hrs 20 Mns | | 2.32 mph |
| 3,550 ft AEG | 21 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I started from the Parker Canyon Lake Th and headed south about 10.4 miles and turned around. I've hiked a pretty good portion of AZT1 7 years ago, so I don't see a need to redo sections. I would rather fill the gaps and hike extra trails in that area, which this area allows you to do. But it's not easy.
A half mile in an elderly couple was walking the other way towards me. As we got closer I saw the guy had a Pirate hat on, at which point he noticed my Steelers gear. He and his wife are from PA originally, but have lived in AZ for decades longer than even I have. We talked for a little bit and it turns out they live in Payson. The offered to help out with any shuttle hikes for the AZT in that area if we ever need, which I may take them up on at some point.
The first 6 miles aren't bad, mostly level. Some climbs, but very mile. Did about 700' AEG in the first 6 miles. From 6 to 10 miles, my AEG went from 700' to 3300'+  . There are a couple steeper climbs that level out after a bit. Then the switchbacks come. Relentlessly. My lungs were burning and my heart was racing. I can normally keep going at a slower rate and keep a steady pace. A few times I just had to stop and breathe. My time on this ascent was pretty good by my standards, however. No mile took more than 38 minutes to do. I've done hikes where the combo of steepness and rockiness had me at 45 min+ miles. The better conditions of the trail exposed my lack of cardio conditioning for this.
I ended up around 8400' when I was on a ridgeline. The wind up there was absolutely roaring at times. Then total silence. Then more roaring. The slightest uphill climb was draining. The views were phenomenal.  I got to my chosen turn around point (somehow) and started back.
the descent was easier considering the AEG. the switchbacks helped reduce the steepness. By the time I got back to the flat part, it felt like someone had come by while I was gone and added a whole bunch of rocks that I didn't remember being there on the way in. My feet were not liking that but my knees were grateful. Finally finished up after 5pm, with the daylight transitioning into impending dusk tones.
I saw 2 doe 3 or 4 miles in, but they were gone before I could get any pictures. Saw several hikers on the way up, then no one on the way down. long day but very much worth it. |
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