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Post by wanderingwildcat on Jul 16, 2016 7:30:45 GMT -8
From September 2 to 5 (Saturday to Monday), I will be hiking/backpacking Arizona Trail Passages #1 - 3. The Mexico Border to Patagonia.
Saturday night stay will be at Parker Canyon Lake campground, and Sunday night will be off the trail.
Would anybody else be interested in going with me?
Thanks!
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,879 
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Post by zeke on Jul 16, 2016 8:24:46 GMT -8
Take care. Night 1 may be a bit hairy. Maybe desert dweller will pop up in this thread.
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desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
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Post by desert dweller on Jul 16, 2016 8:44:59 GMT -8
Thanks for the tag, zeke.
wanderingwildcat, I backpacked the Huachucas long before the AzTrail was even conceived. It's a wonderful range to traverse. The last time I backpacked there was about 5 years ago when a friend asked me to join them on the first passage. I'd say that the decision to stay at the Parker Canyon campground is a good one. Things around the Border aren't too bad these days. But, being with others the first night may be prudent.
I'd like to join you on the hike partly because I'm always curious how the first place I ever overnighted is changing. But, September is already taken with the Pickin' in the Pines bluegrass festival in Flagstaff followed by a 15 mile segment of the AzTrail, just north of Flagstaff, right after the festival.
Have fun on the hike. And, if anyone who is reading this thread and is considering joining wanderingwildcat, I'd highly recommend the hike. A little side note. The highest point on the entire 820 mile length of the AzTrail is just 6 miles north of the Border. Miller Peak is at 9466 feet. The trail traverses the slopes of the peak at about 9200 feet. It's all down hill to Utah.
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Post by wanderingwildcat on Jul 16, 2016 9:12:38 GMT -8
Thanks desertdweller!
I've camped at Parker Canyon Lake recently (weekend of fishing) and it's a nice place.
Do you have any recommendations for camping around the Canelo Hills area? I know it will have to be in the wild off the trail.
My truck will be parked at the Patagonia Post Office. And I have "shuttle" transportation to the Border Trailhead. So everything is planned out, I'm just hoping to get some hiking buddies.
I am section hiking the AZT and barely starting (only hiked 3 passages so far), so will have more weekend trips planned. Gave myself 12 months to complete my goal.
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Post by johntpenca on Jul 18, 2016 8:15:58 GMT -8
Check out trailjournals.com
Good info there.
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desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
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Post by desert dweller on Jul 19, 2016 6:52:02 GMT -8
Do you have any recommendations for camping around the Canelo Hills area? I know it will have to be in the wild off the trail. As far as places to camp on the sections between Parker Canyon Lake and Patagonia, there should be plenty of spots, off trail, for camping. The biggest issues I remembering having was, 1)Finding a flat spot and 2)That every flat spot I did find was carpeted with cow pies. In fact, my trip report, presented on the forums 10 years ago or so, was titled Miles of Piles. Every place that looked inviting for a camp was nasty. The one flat spot I did find that was dung free was on a steep hill where someone carved a flat spot for a tank. It was too steep for cows to walk up. The grass covered rolling hills are so unlike what the rest of the AzTrail looks like. I think you'll enjoy the hike. Water was hard to find. The couple of stock ponds I came across where stagnant. One surprise, though, was when I thought I found a working windmill. The blades were turning and the rod was going up and down. I headed over to it and saw that the rod wasn't connected to anything. But, the trough at the foot of the windmill had a float valve. When I lifted it, cool clear water began to come out. The rancher had put a submersible pump at the bottom the water shaft. It was solar powered. |
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Post by wanderingwildcat on Jul 19, 2016 9:57:25 GMT -8
I'll be sure to avoid the cow pie mines. Lol! I'll be sure to fill up all my water containers at Parker Canyon Lake. Thanks for the tip about the windmill, I'll definitely keep my eye out for it!
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