Well known trail angel, MJ, in front of her house.
AZT Map Miles 485.0
Miles Hiked 474.7
Elevation 2,396 feet
Miles Hiked Today 15.5
Woke up early and was on my way before the sun was up. It was kind of cool to see the Phoenix metro area lit up from my tent site at the summit of a mountain. My target for today is Picket Post Trailhead and the town of Superior at just over 15 miles. This is an unscheduled stop. I screwed up on provision planning. I thought I could get to Oracle in seven days. No way!
The day started with over a 2,000 foot descent. The trail was easy compared to some of the trails of the past couple of weeks. I was just about out of water and the next accessible water was four miles away. I got 2 liters there. Little did I know that it was the last water to be had until the trailhead, and it was a hot day.
For the first time in a couple of weeks, I was able to move relatively fast. The water situation was not good, but I rationed what I had. I reached the trailhead at 3:20. There was suppose to be water cached there for me, but it was gone. Some entitled SOB took it (AKA – stole it).
I arranged with MJ, a well known trail angel, to stay at her house. She picked up me and two other hikers at the Picket Post Trailhead. Once at her house, we took showers (separately), washed our clothes and MJ made a great dinner. A most excellent end to the day.
