Sedona seemed determined to keep me within its grasp. The canyons I ventured into felt like relics of a forgotten era, their ancient aura casting a timeless spell that slowed my pace, and made me hesitant to leave. What was meant to be a straightforward six-mile hike to the bus stop morphed into a three-hour […]
Category: Arizona Trail
Stealth Camping Sedona
Nestled in the tranquil shade, far from the bustle of civilization, I surrendered to sleep. For days on end, I followed a routine: stash my belongings in a tree, hike miles to the trailhead, and catch the shuttle into Sedona. After only a few hours in town, replenishing water, savoring a meal, I’d board the […]
A Night on Cathedral Rock
“End of trail,” read the sign at the top of Cathedral Rock. I exhaled a sigh of relief and felt my whole body relax. I was done. I’d been running for the last four months and needed a break. I’d run into Sedona along the Munds Wagon Trail, stopping only at Circle K for a […]
No Trail Pizza!
The culinary delights of Flagstaff couldn’t outweigh the frigid temperatures on the overnights. I was ready to run south, not only for warmer nights, but also because I only had a month before I had to be in LA. The plan was to hike the Arizona Trail for a rendezvous with a train closer to […]
AZT Reroute into Patagonia
Sometimes the trail doesn’t go where you want and you have to add more miles than you’d like, only to end up not-so-wild camping in someone’s yard. #grateful #AZT #sobo
New Beginnings at the End of the AZT
In these final days on the Arizona Trail, I had the pleasure of hiking with @socotoshowco for a few miles, someone I haven’t seen in years. I weaved back and forth along the trail as I awaited my bus. The upcoming walk from Vail into Tucson, then onward to Phoenix for a layover, marks a […]
Plans Change on the AZT
Rain fell from the cloudless sky as I lay awake, gazing at the twinkling stars. There had been no rain predicted, not the slightest chance of showers, and yet, within a half hour the stars were hidden behind a thick canopy of dark clouds. I fell asleep thinking it would be a passing shower. But […]
Stealth Camping Sabino Canyon
Gratitude washed over me as the sun reclaimed the Santa Catalina Mountains. The persistent chill and dampness had worn on me, prompting daydreams of warmer, heavier gear. On a cold and breezy morning descent from Mt. Lemmon, my focus wasn’t on miles but on descending to Hutch’s Pool. I yearned to warm up, spread out […]
Summerhaven, Arizona
Embarking on the cold, wet, and foggy ascent along Oracle Ridge, too late in the night, I nestle into tall grass, once again seeking refuge under a perpetually damp poncho. High above the arid landscape, the town of Summerhaven faces a water shortage, a challenge underscored by the lack of monsoon rains in the larger […]
Oracle, Arizona
Resting under Oracle’s skies for three nights, beneath my poncho, amidst rain, thunder, and lightning. Javelinas stirring in the night, my mind racing, fueled by Dollar Store energy shots on the hike towards new shoes. My body urged me to seek solace in the trail. To keep moving in a dance of exercise-induced neurogenesis, while […]