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| Backpack | 51.10 Miles |
9,170 AEG |
| | Backpack | 51.10 Miles | 5 Days | | |
| 9,170 ft AEG | | 24 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | I don't think there will ever be a better time for me to try this so I'm giving it a go. I've got my gear dialed in and my base weight down. All that's left is to hike.
I thought I'd start out easy. The first day I did the 1.8 miles to the border and back, then went in to Sierra Vista and stayed the night. That took 900 feet off the climb to Miller for the next day.
Day 2 was the climb up to Miller Peak. I had spoken to a SOBO section hiker yesterday about snow conditions, and he said it was icy in spots but not too bad. I was still anxious though. I have some leg problems and can be clumsy and un-sure-footed at times. At the peak trail junction I decided to skip hitting the peak. That was already enough of a climb, and I still had to get through the snow which the hiker had said was worst between there and Bathtub Spring. He was right, but it wasn't too bad. I sat down a few times, but got through by taking it slow. Stopped for the night before I got to Sunnyside canyon. It was a cold night, only 29F but strong winds all night.
Day 3 I hiked to Trap Tank. Saw a number of deer and a couple of turkeys in Sunnyside Canyon. Met a SOBO section hiker near Parker and that was the only person I saw all day. Good water in Parker Canyon Creek and Trap Tank.
Day 4 woke up with lots of condensation and 26F. Having just done this passage last fall, I wasn't looking forward to the ridge walk to the saddle, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Easier going this way maybe. Silver Tank storage was almost overflowing, Pauline had water, and the big pool in Middle canyon was huge. I met 6 day hikers, 3 going south, 3 north, doing a key swap. They warned me about a storm moving in. I went as far as the Canelo Pass trailhead and stopped early to find a good tent site. Just as I was set up, a border patrol officer drove past. He turned around and came back. I was afraid he'd tell me to move on, but he just stopped to talk a bit, and also warned me about the storm.
Day 5 dawned windy. It had been really windy all night. Whump, whump, whump went the tent, but no rain. It was windy and cloudy most of the day. Met Woodchuck doing another large section of the trail SOBO, starting from Reddington Pass. We talked about water conditions. Down under, Cott Tank and Red Bank are all good in this passage and he said it was good all the way he had come. He never treats his water, but is choosy where he gets it. I camped about 5 miles from Patagonia.
Day 6 dawned coldest yet, 22F and frost over everything. No rain from that storm front, but it brought the humidity. Too cold for breakfast so I ate a bar and headed for town. Stopped for coffee at the Gathering Grounds and then hung around waiting for lunch and my ride. |
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Route Editor
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