Azt Map Miles 345.6
Miles Hiked 335.3
Elevation 4,593 feet
Miles Hiked Today 15.9
Last night I got a call from Dawn. She read my blog and found out I was in Payson at the Quality Inn. We talked a bit and then she told me she had a taxi to the trailhead in the morning. She asked if I wanted to join her. Initially, I declined. I wanted sleep in and then hitchhike to the trailhead. However in the morning I changed my mind and called her to tell her to pick me up
We got to the trailhead at 8 AM and after a bit, began hiking. Almost immediately the trail started going up. I kept up with Dawn until we hit some rocks and I fell behind. By late morning I was hiking by myself.
After getting the last water for 14 miles, the trail smoothed out. Going at my own pace, I was doing alright. It was a bright, sunny and warm day. The target for the day was 16 miles where the next water is located.
My backpack was heavy with new provisions picked up in Pine. That slowed me down. I should have reached my destination target by 5:30, but at 6:15 I was .2 of a mile away when the trail went down on switchbacks. Right then and there I said, “No way!” I turned around and a couple of minutes later picked a good campsite and setup in the dark. It’s dark here by 6:30. That’s why I didn’t go further.
I need water, but tomorrow morning will have to do. I had enough for dinner, and a little more for drinking. That’s enough
