Arizona Trail/ Molino Basin Campground to Oracle

Day 17:

Molino Basin Campground to Romero Pass

AZT mile 175.9

Stats:

14.9 miles

3910 feet ascended

2030 feet descended

Glory upon glory.  We hiked in amazing canyons today in the Santa Catalina Mountains, often along a ledge. It was a beautiful sky day with big puffy clouds playing with the sun. We welcomed the rain drops that fell off and on because it made the climb easier.  Water flowed everywhere after the heavy rains of the day before and the sound of the water was sometimes deafening.   We saw many waterfalls on the rocky canyon walls and along the top of the canyons it looked like stone fortresses were built.  

There were four creek crossings.  Usually these crossings are probably a simple rock hop, but today they are mid thigh deep and one step on the last crossing deep enough to get my crotch wet.  These crossings got our adrenaline going. We went across as a team with Hawkeye upstream of me blocking the strongest current.  It was fun and exciting,  but our feet stayed wet and cold all day.  

We saw deer and a few other hikers, but no thru hikers.  We looked for big horn sheep and big cats as we were told they live in this area.  Our trail angel host Scott actually saw a rare black Mexican jaguar here.  

We are camped on an amazing promontory looking into Romero Canyon and Sabino Canyon.  I think. I know we also went through Sycamore Canyon.  It could be cold and windy in this spot, but we do have some low brush around us.  We saw a big, ominous, black cloud coming and I was tired and didn’t want to climb anymore, so we put up our tent quickly and hopped inside while a hard hail fell. We giggled with glee at outsmarting the weather.   This time. 

The hail passed quickly and we ate curry cous cous while watching the sun set.  We couldn’t see the actual setting sun, but we could see it’s effects.  Glorious and Hallelujah! 

A couple other backpackers showed up late and are camping next door.  They sound young and cheerful and very polite to each other. We think it is an Aunt and nephew. We can hear almost everything they say.  It’s actually relaxing somehow.  Entertainment.  Ohh.  He has hot chocolate and Oreos. Yum. 

Day 18:

Romero Pass to Dan’s Saddle

AZT mile 187.1

Stats:

11.7 miles

3490 ascended

2260 descended

I’m so thankful the hail storm last night stopped us at Romero Pass as the trail got STRENUOUS from there.  

We slept in and enjoyed the morning sun while visiting with our camping neighbors about how hiking and living outdoors feels more human somehow.  We took the time to dry all our gear out.  It is only 8 miles to the town of Mount Lemmon so at our pace of two miles an hour (including stops) it would only be a four hour walk.   Ha!  It took us six hours.  Mostly because I was slow.  First two miles took us almost two hours.  I’d call some parts a scramble as I used my hands as well as my feet.  

 It was spectacular scenery with   pine forests, huge granite rocks, creeks and big views.  We could see snow and frosted trees on the highest ridge.  What we had difficulty seeing at times, was the trail.  In the wilderness areas of this long distance trail there is an absence of signs or markings to show us the way.  Also, The recent rain and snow event covered the trail with needles, or water and washed away any footprints.  There was also a lot of granite to cross.  We diligently kept our eyes open for cairns and sawed ends on fallen logs.  We got off track once and stumbled upon ET and he reminded us to use our phone.  Lol.  

We have an app with gps on our phone that shows us where we are and also lists all the points along the strait including water spots.  It’s very helpful.  We used it one time today to find the trail.  

Mount Lemmon General Store gave us a warm greeting and free coffee as AZT hikers when we finally stumbled in.  They are really trying to support the trail community.  We ate a big delicious meal at the Sawmill restaurant, the only one in town.  We visited with two AZT hikers who got off trail and were waiting for friends on trail.  They were both surprised by the difficulty of this trail.  They had both hiked the Appalachian Trail and found it easier.  Out here, they say, you have longer food and water carries and it is much more remote.  

We didn’t leave town until 5 PM, so we only hiked a few miles out of town.  There is 10.7 miles between town and the next water source, so we didn’t want to carry water very far for our dry camp.  

Day 19: 

Dan’s Saddle to American Flag Trailhead
AZT mile 198.2

Stats: 

11.1 miles hiked

1169 ascended

3946 descended

Easy, uneventful day of mostly hiking downhill with big views off the ridge.  We saw biosphere 2 down below and met a few hikers along the way.  

We got picked up at the American Flag Trailhead (there was a flag) and shuttled to a hiker hostel/small hotel in Oracle. We had sent a resupply box here as well as our umbrellas.  Saina, our host, is wonderful and got us all set up with laundry and showers.  She’s taking us back to the trail in the morning and we begin a lower desert hike with longer water carries and we presume hotter temperatures, hence the need for our reflective umbrellas.

  I’m feeling kind of tired tonight.  I hope I’m not getting sick.   Hawkeye is still going strong.