The first 3 passages of the Arizona Trail are described as 'strenuous'. I can think of several shorter words to describe it, but I'll practice saucha and just say, yes, it was very, very ($&@!) strenuous.
Since we'd hiked into camp by headlamp, waking up was discovering a whole new world. It was my first night 'cowgirl camping' - something we intend on doing the entire trip - forgoing the set up and take down of a tent and sleeping under the stars. My $500 sleeping bag paid for itself that first night as I was toasty warm even at 8,550 feet. A shout out to Western Mountaineering for their quality gear.
Yogabird and Wildflower in our bedroom/livingroom/kitchen.
We filled up on water from the nearby bathtub spring - named for obvious reasons and packed up camp so the deer patiently waiting their turn for water could move in.
A little pre-hike soak at our water source.
We continued our climb into the Huachuca Mountains, passing through ponderosa pine and mangled trees amidst cactus. As we traversed Miller Ridge, evidence of illegal immigrants was present. I kept quiet about the voices I'd heard during the night, knowing my fellow companions didn't need to fuel the unease they already felt knowing we were in migrant territory. I knew whoever I'd heard was more afraid of us discovering them than we should be of them discovering us.
Homemade garbage bag poncho and Mexican Gatorade bottles.
We descended into Sunnyside Canyon and could see a lake in the distance. We debated if it was Parker Canyon Lake - our destination for the day - but decided surely it was too far away to be it.
A mirage? Or is that Parker Canyon Lake?
A spring-fed cow trough. Beggars can't be choosers.
The miles began to take their toll on our feet as we approached the end of Passage 1 - Parker Canyon Lake - and looked back. Indeed, this had been the lake we'd seen from the top of Miller Ridge.
Sun setting on Parker Canyon Lake
Our feet could feel every step of the nearly 16 miles we'd covered that day. We were grateful for the cooler temperatures as evening came and let out a collective sigh of relief as we heard the creek we were to camp near. This thru-hiking business is going to be tough.