Mazatzal Wilderness Section of the Arizona Trail
This passage uses historic trails and recently-built singletrack to travel through the Mazatzal Wilderness. Portions of it feel quite remote, and the lush zone through Oak Spring Canyon is nice. Trail users also enjoy frequent views of the Mogollon Rim, the massive and colorful escarpment that rises 1,500 feet above the Pine Valley.
This place was a highlight as it is only one of four rivers that the AZT crosses between Mexico and Utah, and is one of only two Wild and Scenic Rivers within the entire state!
The great little town of Pine. Has a general store, groceries, and a restaurant tailored to hikers. Even some accommodation options but rather expensive. An easy hitch into the bigger city of Payson.
Tons of elk roaming around
I went to the local trail running store for food and chatted with the owner who posted on the facebook bulletin page that I was looking for a ride and I got a few texts that evening. Thanks for helping me out!
A rather nice change in the ground under your feet. I decided to go to Pine and hike southbound back to Sunflower which was closer geographically to PHX. I thought I would be able to call for an uber but that turned out not to be the case. Fortunately an old hockey friend lived in AZ now and was able to grab me. Thanks RW.
Dried up water sources. Not a good sign!
Whiterock Spring
You descend through a high desert terrain characterized by juniper and piñon pine with some steep climbs over rugged and very rocky terrain to the East Verde River
Camping at the Verde River.
I heard there are tons of wildlife here including aggressive javelinas. It makes sense considering major river crossing in Arizona but I camped here anyway and it turned out to a great spot to camp and swim in the river after a long day from Pine.
Deeper in the range today I crossed paths with another hiker who was going NOBO
The terrain hiking through today from a high ridge
Thicket Spring. Hard to find as off trail and no signage but it is indeed there so don't give up searching too early.
The unreliable water sources were indeed full this time of year. Not always the case for SOBO.
Evening glow
What my dinners always looked like
The AZT merges with the Mazatzal Divide Trail which is a well-built singletrack trail that runs through the wilderness
Humans are infrequent visitors to these lonely ridges, and the land is much the same as it was hundreds of years ago when it was the domain of the Yavapai and Apache people
Passing under the steep, red-rock cliffs of Mazatzal Peak
Up and over a col near Mt Peeley (I think)
Hopi Spring. A very cold and clean source
A high point with expansive views of the valleys to the west and the low country along the East Verde River
My last day on trail. My flight home was tomorrow night and I was still not sure if I was going to make it back to PHX tonight or spend another night on trail and figure out the whole shower / hygiene thing later
Sycamore Creek drainage
Mile marker! But these are for the NOBO crew
I went slightly off trail here for a more direct route along a road that is closed to vehicle traffic by Tonto National Forest
There was no uber available at Sunflower and hitch hiking out in the pitch black isn't ideal. I had texted an old buddy of mine from the hockey days and he was very generous to pick me up at the trailhead dark and late in the evening. Then I crashed at his place and we got to hang out before my flight it was awesome. Thanks RW
Done another section of the AZT. Wahoo!