Arizona Trail: Passage 5

On the way back home September 1 or 2, 2013, we went down Forest Road 163 (with a short detour on Forest Road 4085), to see Kentucky Camp on the Santa Rita Passage.  We hiked a short distance on the trail itself, and explored the mining buildings.  Some of the buildings can be rented, and while we were there, had occupants.

Here's the passage map:  https://aztrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/05_SantaRitaMountains.pdf

Arizona Trail: Passage 3

We first looked at the Canelo Hills West Section on our way to Patagonia from Parker Canyon Lake after starting at Montezuma Pass near the Coronado Monument on, probably, September 1 or 2, 2013.  As we passed down Forest Road 58 into Patagonia from Parker Canyon Lake, we passed the Harshaw Road Trailhead.

On October 30, 2022, Chris and I hiked the section from Patagonia to the Harshaw Road Trailhead, documented in the latest large-scale map book. This was the original trail alignment. The passage map below shows the revised alignment, with Harshaw Road as the connector to the Canelo Hills West section. Since I actually like the old alignment, I'll probably hike in/out on the Harshaw Road connector, to connect the Temporal Gulch Trailhead with Passage 3. Not much has changed at the trailhead as the picture below shows, as we hiked out via the road (which is scenic enough, but possibly somewhat hazardous, if there were higher traffic levels). Also interestingly, we saw several discarded camo jackets along the road. At first I thought "How strange that hunters would leave their jackets along the road . . ." then, "Oh . . . I get it." Yet another sign of border ironies: One can see in Sonoyta, Sonora the stands selling camo jackets for potential border crossers. This is where they end up when people discard them before entering town. It does make one wonder whether or not the Arizona Trail itself is sometimes a route.

The trail junction across Harshaw Road

Harshaw Road Informational Sign

Street crossing warning

Reroute Information

Here's the passage map:  https://aztrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/03_CaneloHillsWest.pdf

Arizona Trail: Passage 1

Here it is, passage 1.  I'm hiking down the trail from the roadside overlook, toward the Coronado Monument on the border.  Of course I don't get there.

This is the beginning of a series that I intend to finish by chronicling all my encounters with the Arizona Trail.  I've decided to go in passage order, for the passages I've visited.  Some, like this one, I've only sampled by driving through by car and stopping.  This stop was on September 1 or 2, 2013, as Chris and I returned from a wine-tasting weekend around Sonoita.  I had decided to take the border-paralleling highway East Montezuma Canyon Road, and we stopped at the overlook.  Though we didn't actually do much hiking, we stopped at a number of trailheads on our way back through Patagonia (Patagonia Lake, and Patagonia itself).  As I explore more fully, I'll enter more.

Here's the passage map:  https://aztrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/01_HuachucaMountains.pdf

Mesa Canals 14: Consolidated Canal to Coffee at Bergies in Gilbert

I can't believe that it's taken me almost two weeks to write this down:  I'll put it down to the flu (apparently, Arizona's the nationwide epicenter this week).  I also can't believe that this is the first Mesa Canals post in almost a year.

Anyhow, this is a great trip that I realize I haven't documented anywhere in this series, though it does intersect with Mesa Canals 10:  the Sun Circle Route for the last westbound mile.

First, this is the Consolidated Canal, which runs northwest to southeast roughly paralleling Gilbert Road.  I'd ridden this canal route before it was paved, and before the installation of traffic lights at most of the major street intersections.  Before these improvements it was iffy, and now it's approximately 8 miles of ease between 8th Street/Adobe and Bergies Coffee on Gilbert Road in downtown.  Almost the whole of the distance is paved, and almost all of the major intersections have special bike-pedestrian lights.  The two that don't (on the southern end of the route) are a little concerning, but can be used with care.

It was also a great morning, though it turned out to be unseasonably cold (probably the last time anyone will say that this year, though here's hoping).  It was a post-race warm down for Monster Media rider Beth Everhart, her Fasturdays and life partner Steve Cullen, cousin Yancy Everhart, friend Adam Burleson and me.  The East-coasters turned out to be more thin-blooded than one might think, but the sun was warm and the coffee was great!

P.S.  Beth took 3rd in the Senior Women Valley of the Sun Stage Race GC!

2015: Reflection

Here I am again, at the beginning of the new year, expecting to go back to work on Monday, January 4.  Again, as usual, the holidays got away from me (maybe a bit more than usual) and I'm posting this as a substitute for a normal Christmas card, for those who care.  It's also nice to reflect on the things that made me thankful most last year.  Here are some highlights:

We began last year with the family at home, celebrating a just-completed kitchen remodel.

We've enjoyed this remodel ever since, especially since it brings to an end all the major things we had to do on the house.  Now, we've got a resort backyard and a remodel of the interior that's done in all major aspects.

During the summer, I had the special opportunity to hang with Beth at the Cascade Classic, based in Bend, OR, in which she competed.  I helped with driving, fetching, and some lifting, but it was great to just be with her for a few days before driving down to pick up Steve in San Francisco, and down to Redondo Beach to see Nate and Tana, a few days before her (Tana's) delivery (oops, spoiler alert!).

Oh, just as a footnote, on our way back we stopped at Crater lake.  Very scenic.

OK, the big thing--I'M A GRANDFATHER!  (I've even got the Grandfather t-shirt--looks like the Godfather poster)

Otherwise, work continues to be a process of change, and I remain very busy.  Grand Canyon University is not recognizable as the small failing school of 10 years ago--we now have 15,000 students on campus, and several new buildings going up as I write.

So, many things to be thankful for, including my purchase of a new bicycle:  titanium, with top-of-the-line componentry.  It has certainly energized me to exercise more, though I did not reach my stated goal of "160 by 60."  (That is, be down to 160 pounds by age 60, which I turned in October.)  I'm also thankful for the continuing trip tradition with Richard and Maxie:  we've transitioned to static camping at trailheads and doing day hikes from there.  This last year was the Eastern Superstitions, near Globe.  We camped at the Miles Ranch trailhead, and fanned out on the several trails that left from that point, over three days.

Our fall has been taken up with trips to California to see the grandbaby; we've just gotten back from Redondo Beach over Christmas, where 4-month-old Emma has enthralled the grandparents with enjoying reading and singing!

This is definitely a year to count blessings:  new life, continuing happiness with those we love, the place we live (both small-scale--home, and large-scale--the state and country).