Route Editor
Route Scout
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DESTINATION Santa Catalina Mountains - AZT #11 21 Photosets 2025-04-19 2024-03-09 2020-01-28 2020-01-11 2019-03-30 2019-03-16 2018-11-18 2018-10-19 2017-03-21 2016-08-13 2016-04-09 2015-05-22 2015-03-31 2014-04-12 2012-09-30 2012-08-01 2011-09-24 2011-09-24 2011-09-24 2011-09-24
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| HAZ Member sandyfortner's 50 Photosets 2016-05-27 2016-04-17 2016-04-09 2016-04-09 2016-03-19 2016-03-13 2016-03-12 2016-01-24 2016-01-09 2016-01-02 2015-10-31 2015-10-15 2015-10-13 2015-10-12 2015-09-12 2015-08-30 2015-03-18 2015-03-17 2015-03-14 2015-03-08
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](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
But, that gave me a chance to chat with the trail crew out there cutting dead fall - although I'm sure that they thought I'd never make it after getting lost in the first mile! Only lost the trail 1 other time after a creek crossing. There were markers, but they were down in a depression and I kept missing them. Only a few logs down that needed to be negotiated and I'm betting the trail crew got to them. Water in several spots along the way - running in in pools. The down is steep but completely fine. Good tread - just watch your step and take your time. But, that down was pretty darn hard on my old knees - hence the overnight trip versus a 1 dayer. Ran into 3 through hikers. A guy from Switzerland just before I reached Romero Pass and a couple just after Romero Pass. All 3 said they were really enjoying the trail. As I continued down from Romero Pass I knew my knees just weren't going to go all the way out. I hadn't planned on that, so didn't have tent, sleeping bag or air mattress. Hmm. It was to be a mild night, so I took the opportunity to figure out how to make myself a make-shift abode. I had an emergency bag, blanket, umbrella and my usual down jacket, windbreaker, rain jacket. Since Hutch's Pool has nice soft sand, that was my goal. Maybe wasn't the best night's sleep I've ever had, but I was warm enough although soggy in the morning from condensation in the Mylar bag. Used the umbrella over my head to hold in heat and keep off wind. Just after I had set up camp Sat. pm a rescue chopper circled, then went on. Looked like they landed and picked up someone. Hit the trail early Sunday morning - nothing to pack! 
and headed the last 7 miles out to prison camp. Temps dropped, wind chill went up and clouds threatened. 2 choppers were searching this morning for a guy - they were out there at least 3 hours that I saw. One chopper kept calling for the guy with their loudspeaker. Water along this passage also. The tread has some washouts on the climbs out to GH TH. Ran into 1 throughhiker who was glad to hear that 3 more where less than a day ahead of him. Arrived at the vehicle at 10:30 and the rain hit at 11:15. Whew!
Goldilocks