Rainy Night
The rain stopped around 3AM, and the desert giveth, and then quickly takes away what is most precious out here, so by the time I was ready to pack up my tarp-tent it was just about dry.
I hiked the first few minutes with my headlamp, picking my way down from the saddle on a steep rocky slope. Fifteen minutes later dawn had brightened enough for me to see and I turned it off. Nice new trail was easy to follow, and I made my way towards my next water source.
Cow Water
For all of you inconsistent filter users (like me), on this trail, bring a good filter that works! This is cattle country. We are sharing our water sources with many critters.
Arriving at my first cow poo pond this morning, I sneered in disgust. I was not THAT THIRSTY yet. The creek flowing from the poo pond was not much better, and very similar to others I had seen the day before.
Far down the creek, I found a pool that was relatively clear. It was at the end of a long, shallow gravel section, so my hope was that most of the particulate matter had been filtered out. I filtered it twice, added a little cherry powder, chugged, and then continued on, continuing to step over and around more creek water surrounded by poo piles.
Canelo Pass Trailhead
Canelo Pass Trailhead was the end of AZT Passage 2, and marked the continuation of grassy golden foothills. It was beautiful country with wide open views, and continuous undulating hills/climbs. There were a couple of good little climbs over the course of the day, but nothing like Miller Peak.
Reaching my next Pass after the Trailhead, I stopped to say hi to Pete from Tucson. He had passed me a little earlier in the day, after I had passed him breaking camp that morning. I would see him one other time at Red Rock Canyon, but not again until Patagonia. He was a cool kinda mellow fella.
Red Rock Bank Well
The Red Rock Canyon area was pretty meat. I looked but never spotted JW. This was definitely his kinda country. I passed an old stone dwelling that looked ancient. I always wonder about the old settler/miner homes I see in the wilderness, and what it must have been like to live or just survive in completely remote areas like these.
I passed one preserve area that had posted no camping signs for a quarter mile. I can’t imagine I would have been more impactful to the Riparian vegetation they were trying to regrow than the cows tromping around, but I know for less than the protectors so I shalt not judge.
This section was a little confusing around some creek sections, but I used my “If I were a trail where would I go” technique and was able to pick up the trail across the creeks, even when it was intermingled with numerous cow highways. The trail runner treads helped a lot.
Patagonia
One of the cool things about this trail are the gates. Some are similar, but no two are ever exactly the same. It is also good to see that every one I’ve come to is latched. I often encountered them at high points on this section and they made for great resting props after a long climb. If I had a tripod I would pose at each one for a photo op. Maybe I’ll try using some rocks on this next section.
Twenty four miles latee I was in Patagonia, but more on the town tomorrow. My feet were fussing. I build up to that mileage over the first couple of weeks, and they were letting me know they did not appreciate an abusive over achiever. It was time to go reward them with some healthy ice cream. Let the trail diet begin!
Patagonia Cows
Keep smiling.
🙂👍