
Mazatzal Wilderness
The Mazatzal Wilderness continued on with its rock strewn big ascents and descents. I was hoping to do about 15 miles considering the difficulty.

The Mazatzal Wilderness continued on with its rock strewn big ascents and descents. I was hoping to do about 15 miles considering the difficulty.

It was a beautiful day on the mountain. It showed off the lower lands and the mountains of the Tonto National Forest. This was still the Mazatzal Wilderness.

The trail started going up and the big climbs start. It went from 3.300 feet to 5,190 feet where I’m camped. That’s almost a 2,000 foot elevation gain.
It’s back to the trail earlier than I planned. We got to the trailhead at 8 AM and after a bit, began hiking. Almost immediately the trail started going up.

Today is a zero day – a day with no hiking. I’d like to say I relaxed all day and did nothing, at the Quality Inn Payson, but that would not be true.

Our plan to stay with a trail angel was falling apart. The trail angel, told me she lived 3 miles outside of Pine, Arizona and that was not good.

MJ and Dawn were going to camp at Webber Creek, so that was my target. I figured I would make it by 6 PM. Nope! Didn’t happen.
The trail took on characteristics of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. Up then down with a very rocky and steep descent. I fell twice. Just like the AT.
I came upon Dawn’s campsite. MoonJuice was there also. I setup my tent and ate dinner with them. That was the first night camping with other hikers on the AZT.

We woke up at the Bohn cabin about 4:30. Dawn and I packed our gear and had breakfast. We thanked Gary and Janet for their generous hospitality and were off.