Posts about Hiking, page 12 of 37.

The Park of Mazatzals: Climbing Rock Creek

Dark, gloomy clouds rising over the Mazatzals

Dark gray clouds boiled and churned above Barnhardt Canyon. Turning my back to them I pulled my gear out of the van and tried to put them out of my mind. Of course it would be cloudy - the forecast had promised rain and storms up there into the early hours. But it was supposed to clear up, and there…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted October 6, 2016
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DIY Gravity Setup with the Sawyer Mini

The basic water system for a gravity-based Sawyer filter

Early in 2016 I started using a Sawyer Mini as my primary water filter for hiking and backpacking. It was a huge weight savings, going from a one pound MSR down to a little thing that weighs a hair over two ounces. However, I immediately ran into two problems while using it. I couldn't come up with…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted October 2, 2016
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Experimenting with a Hammock

Perfect hammock site at Barbershop Springs

This year I've been experimenting a lot with new gear and new backpacking practices. After a few adventures with thirty or more pounds (including nine days on Isle Royale) I've shifted to an ultralight setup that sometimes sinks to a wonderful sub-five base weight. My water system has gotten lighter…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted September 29, 2016
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Ballantine to Boulder Flat

Blue skies over Ballantine Trailhead

The clear sky was a giant blue mirror reflecting back the heat of the rocky earth. At least, that's what it felt like as I stood near the van and looked over at Ballantine Trailhead. The hot air swam around me and my skin prickled with the promise of a sweaty afternoon. With a long sigh I walked…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted September 22, 2016
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Willow Springs Loop

A mostly full moon over First Water Trailhead

A mostly-full moon hung high over First Water Trailhead and my lonely car parked there. I gazed up at it, debating once again on simply turning around and driving back to a warm bed. My breath wheezed in and out through the congestion of a week-long chest cold as I stood there and let the darkness…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted September 7, 2016
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Pine Creek Loop and a Bail

A plain-looking Ballantine Trailhead

Cars, trucks, and semis roared out over the desert mere yards away from Ballantine Trailhead. I guess this is the alternative to long, rocky roads that usually prelude my desert hikes; parking next to a busy highway and doing my best to ignore the traffic. Wincing as my shoulders took on the heavy…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted September 1, 2016
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Silly Mountain with the Boys

A slowly waking sky over Superstition Ridgeline

Hiking with the boys has, for the most part, been limited to short outings in San Tan or South Mountain. There are a number of loops in these parks that are less than five miles with wide, easy trails that are perfect for them to wander along. I've tried taking them to the Superstitions a few times…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted August 21, 2016
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Mount Peeley Summit

Beautiful sign at the Mt Peeley Trailhead

Forest Road 201 was a long and winding ordeal, stretching north from AZ-87 and circling around numerous ridges and peaks on a slow climb up into the Mazatzals. All three of us were impatient to get on the trail. My dad and I had woken up at four this morning in order to meet Chris at six in Fountain…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted August 17, 2016
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Lower Red Tanks Trail

Predawn light on the hills

Sleep came in hour-long chunks at best near LaBarge Spring. The temps dropped under the clear night sky to the point where I, fully dressed in the hammock, was rolling uncomfortably around by midnight. Perhaps a sleeping bag would have been a good idea after all. Every time I opened up my Kindle to…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted August 10, 2016
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Bluff Springs to LaBarge

Busy signage at Peralta Trailhead

Peralta Road was in rough shape, with huge rocks, loose sand, and deep ruts at every wash crossing. It was obvious that a major storm had dumped some water here, though I couldn't think of when. Seems like it's been dry out here for a long time. Maybe that little sprinkle we got in Gilbert last week…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted August 7, 2016
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