Trail Conditions

So I mentioned how we found the initial southern beginnings of the trail to be in excellent shape. For the most part it has remained the same. There are a few areas that need brushing or that ascend or descend steeply but we still applaud the work that has gone into creating this massive trail … Continue reading Trail Conditions →

688 Miles into the AZT : Coming into the “Big Ditch”

To leave the Flagstaff area the Arizona trail goes up around the snowy San Francisco Peaks and with a clear blue sky as background, they just "pop". Meanwhile the trail itself goes "crunch" or "squish" depending on the time of day that you cross the lingering snow pack. The land levels out around 6,000 ft … Continue reading 688 Miles into the AZT : Coming into the “Big Ditch” →

Equipment We Appreciate #3

The Buff! Zip loves her buff as she is usually cold around the neck. Very versatile as you can see - it can be worn as: The Potato Farmer The Gypsy The Snow Bunny The Bandito

Hikers Along the AZT

We have met a collection of thru hikers to date and their names vary from: Mav - Blazing Turtle - Bearded Yucca - Maumee - Cough cough - Turkey - Moonshine - Sansui Wanderer - Happy Joe - Snacks - Red Feather - Wind Walker - Lily - Happy Go Lucky - Phantom - Stretch … Continue reading Hikers Along the AZT →

580 Miles into the AZT

It took us fewer days to walk from Pine to Flagstaff than we expected as colder weather and flatter land had a positive effect. We climbed up out of the town of Pine onto the Mogollon Rim (pronounced Mug-ee-yun) which is the 7,000 ft high edge of the Colorado Plateau. It is a dramatic rock escarpment … Continue reading 580 Miles into the AZT →

450 Miles into the AZT

On this section of the trail from Roosevelt Marina to Pine we passed through the Four Peak Wilderness and the Mazatzal Wilderness both within the Tonto National Forest. This was a difficult week as we had to bypass a rest day at Roosevelt as there were no showers or laundry and the options for food … Continue reading 450 Miles into the AZT →

Trail Angels

Trail Angels are big hearted people who do random kind things for thru hikers. Marnie who owns the Chalet Motel in Oracle is such a person. She will fetch hikers from the highway if they text her and bring them to her motel regardless if they are paying guests or not. She allows hikers to … Continue reading Trail Angels →

300 Miles into the AZT

The trail goes from the town of Oracle to Roosevelt Marina during this stretch. The land changed from rolling open desert lands to flat ground to flowering hills near the Gila (pronounced Hila) River then through the Alamo Canyon and Superstition Wilderness. Chalet Motel in OracleMap of Roosevelt Marina at 345 milesDesert wildflowersGila Monster

200 Miles into the AZT

Map of 200 miles We move through the flat lands sprinkled with Saguaro cactus up to 8,000 ft which is the smoothest 5,000ft elevation gain we have ever done! Then transitioned to the graceful grassy flatlands. We came across a dead coati which is similar to a raccoon. More info can be found HERE. dead … Continue reading 200 Miles into the AZT →

Equipment We Appreciate # 1

We love our beds..... We are using Therm-a-rest ZLite pads for the first time. They have many advantages: lightweight, not expensive (approximately $45 each), durable, waterproof, and can be used as yoga/ stretching mats anywhere along the trail. The other thing that really works about them is that they lay flat and we can now cook … Continue reading Equipment We Appreciate # 1 →