AZT: Superior to Lake Roosevelt

Day 19: 4.5

I take the 5:30am bus back to the trailhead with MJ. We stopped by the hotel to pick up a hiker I haven’t met yet. I don’t see her again after TH and I don’t see anyone else today.

The Superstitions are notoriously steep and often overgrown. I was there during the winter and saw them greener than ever with all the winter rains. But all that green has turned brown in the warm, dry spring. Looking back at my photos from 2024, this section of the trail was noticeably different, with just shin-deep green grass. Now, the grasses are chin-high, seedless and yellow. The tumbleweeds are still connected to the ground and scratch my legs. Sometimes it’s hard to even see where the trail goes, except I know it’s up. Up up up.

I made a water mistake by thinking the next source was 4 miles away; It was 6 miles away, which seems minor, except it was climbing 2200′ in direct sunlight. With incredible willpower and strategy, I made it to the next waterhole with some water left over. I drank a liter while taking a break in the shade. Water has been tough here due to the drought and low snow year. I based this on FarOut’s comments from 5 days ago that said «2 pools to the left of the path next to the fence post.» I constantly fear that the water source has dried up in those few days. I’ve been updating FarOut more than ever to try to help reduce the fear of others.

My goal was to go 24.5 miles to Reavis Ranch and I accomplished it. As I rounded the last bend, I smelled the distinct odor of a large animal and assumed it was a cow; Sure enough, a giant bull was waiting in the undergrowth near the trail. I wanted to get some distance before camping, otherwise I knew my anxiety would increase during the night because he would come looking for me. Reavis Ranch began as an isolated farm in 1874 and was later owned by someone who started an apple orchard in the early 20th century. While I didn’t make it to the orchard, I did get to see some of the 120-year-old trees in bloom along the trail in all their twisted glory.

Day 20: 4.6

Today was a cloudy and cool day. This wasn’t in the weather forecast I saw before leaving town yesterday and the intermittent rain surprised me. I needed to get 20 miles before the Lake Roosevelt Marina store closed at 5 pm so I could pick up the box I shipped. They allow hikers to camp in the yard behind the «Hiker’s Cabin,» which houses a hiker box, water, and a charging station. I didn’t want to camp there as it is very close to the main road and noisy, but it seemed like it would be necessary to get my box today. I walked as fast as I could and barely took a break because it was windy, rainy, and cold. There was a break in the rain around 2pm so I was able to get out my cheese and tortillas and prepare a proper lunch.

I arrived at the marina and found 3 hikers sitting outside. They told me that a tracking angel would come to take them to sleep in their garden. Scott and Gila Mama are TAs known for having a large patio and outdoor shower. I hadn’t planned on going there since I spent the night with TAs in both Kearny and Superior, but how could I pass up a ride that would arrive in 10 minutes? Scott said he would take me back to the trail at 6:30am the next day and it was an easy “yes” to get me in the minivan with the others. And boy, am I glad I did. Their garden is actually 6 acres of beautiful gardens with sandy paths throughout. You can pitch your tent anywhere, so I found a secluded road as a house to spend the night.

The place was very busy with at least 12 hikers staying overnight. It’s crazy that I can go two days without seeing a single hiker and suddenly I’m surrounded by so many people. Where do they go during the day? Most of these hikers had spent zero on the property today and would be leaving tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow I’ll see people on the road?

Creatures I’ve seen in the last 2 days and 43.9 miles

9 hikers, 20 lizards, 3 cows, 30 deer and 5 hares.

Water sources I have drunk from

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