“Hiking is not escapism; it’s realism. The people who choose to spend time outdoors are not running away from anything; we are returning to where we belong.”
~Jennifer Pharr Davis, The Pursuit of Endurance
March 22
Pigeon Springs Road mile 367.5 to Hwy 87 mile 386.7
19.2 miles
After a cold, windy night, I enjoyed another gorgeous Arizona sunrise. Today’s downhill, brisk walk started with miles of nice dirt road and open views. I missed the turn that leaves the road and had to backtrack 1 mile to get on the route. Glad I noticed something wasn’t right and checked my Guthook App.
Last night, Ranger John’s weather forecast called for snow and cold temps in the upper elevations for the next couple of days. Since I will be climbing up into the Mazatzals Mountains tomorrow, I have decisions to make.
As I descended today, I felt heavy and slightly depressed. Then I realized this was the 4th day walking through a burned forest and devastation. I just keep visualizing what it once was. Very sad.
A few miles before Hwy 87 that leads to Payson and Phoenix, I had cell service and talked to Dan, my husband. We both agreed that I should wait out the storm. He also shared how much snow the Sierras had gotten since I left and that the skiing was amazing.
A few minutes later, I met thru-hiker, Rampage. I knew of her through one of my readers. She is amazing and not only hikes with type 1 diabetes, but also teaches how to and encourages other diabetics to hike. I have great admiration for her and feel privileged to have met her.
I arrived at busy Hwy 87 and sat down next to the highway. I was really a hot mess trying to figure out which way to go and what to do. After looking at the map, I realized Phoenix was not far away and I really didn’t want to hang out for a couple of days. Just then, a car stopped and asked if I was okay. It was then I realized, I was not. I had been forcing this hike from the beginning and needed to listen to all the obstacles.
I hopped into their car and they gave me a ride to the Comfort Inn in Fountain Hills. I have booked an inexpensive, quick flight home tomorrow.
I accomplished what I came for: knowing that I could still hike solo, walking long days in nature, carrying a heavy pack, blogging during a trip, connecting with readers, and getting my body physically ready for guiding Utah trips in April. All that is great, but more importantly I am reminded of the astonishing kindness of strangers in the middle of nowhere. People who are struggling financially and are willing to help even during a pandemic. I am again blessed by a sport we call hiking.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your thoughtful comments and following along. I am one lucky lady.
Very nice article As a travel blogger myself, The Solo Girl Traveler, I admire several travel bloggers for their amazing creativity, talent, and sense of adventure.
Dear Christy
Ive been following your amazing inspiring adventures for so many years now, and have realized that I haven’t heard anything this summer … and it’s been a wierd summer of things and people missing, in general. Empty holes.
I so connected with your Arizona experiences as with most of your stories… and was encouraged that you have healed from your injuries and were back on the trail.
I don’t know if my email-only form of communication is still enough to receive your blogs… or if you’ve taken a break from them. I pray that you are well.
Funny, today I took a very short hike up Whitney Portal, where there are always plenty of wonderful people swapping stories/goals/mileage etc. . I found myself, once again, stating that I have a foot injury (new one)…And, stupidly just lost my boots in Nevada, and was only walking a mile. I met many burnt out people who did the fast track to the peak, who could hardly look up through their painful grimacing… and some who thought it was a piece of cake. Then I met a group of 4 who had turned back as they hadn’t had the right gear to camp at the higher elevations, and hadn’t slept at all the night before in the cold. I guess there was an unexpected weather change. Some of them couldn’t handle it. I know that many people could have handled it. Like you! And I handled something similar on Mt Kenya decades ago. I still remember the pain of feeling so close to freezing all night as vividly as the exhilaration of getting to the top (non-climbing top). My friend who was with me and a small group doesn’t remember the cold, just having a tooth ache, and wanting to turn back. We are all so different. And there are times to push, and times to go to comfort and loving arms, as you know….not that it has to be about a goal, nor a level of fitness.
Today I realized I needed to stop apologizing to people on the trail, that I wasn’t doing a long hike at all. And started saying how grateful I was to be up there at all, with the visual and heart warming nature hits around every corner, with or without an injury, the right shoes, or even plans. (Or anywhere near the average age group, of hikers, which I don’t Want to matter, tho it does).
This got off the track of your experIence
But maybe relates a bit. I believe I hadn’t read that last Arizona blog back in Spring, and in a way was glad to see that you were mere mortal enough (ha) to know when to quit. So I pray that things are well with you and your family and that I will be in the link somehow of your more recent and upcoming adventures, assuming there are some… how could there not be?? You are Rockin, after all.
Thank you for sharing so much for other hikers, and vicarious trail lovers!!
Id love to hear more!!
Have fun and stay blessed!
db
Well done out there. Sometimes the trail doesn’t give back the visual/emotional interest needed to push on. I’ve done some day-hiking in southern AZ and for whatever reason I just don’t think I could do an extended trip out there. There are pockets of interest which I enjoy immensly but it predominately non-descript desert (which has its own beauty but not one that gives you that “can’t wait to see whats around the next corner” level of interest). Northern AZ is much more interesting in my opinion i.e. Flagstaff area. But, hellava job of giving it a go…you did good – and enjoyed the recaps!
Hey Rockin’,
The challenge remains.
Walking through devastation focuses us on loss: loss of the subtleties of ecology; loss of majesty; loss of the intricacies of nature that we so desire to revel in. I predict – your mojo will return the moment you set foot not in devastation, but in intact, subtle, and majestic landscapes that inspires your obvious passion and enthusiasm for everything. Stoke the passion through focused movement of landscapes you love, that powerfully move you and your soul, so your spirit can soar.
I look forward to your continual sharing of your life and adventures.
Best wishes
Hey Rockin, I faced a similar decision in 2020 on a section hike along the Montana CDT. It was a combination of the heat, a lingering, untreated medical issue and poor choices for trail food. No fun! Like you, I got off the trail because I was not having enough fun. Vowing not to be deterred, I learned a lot from the experience. In preparing for hiking the AT this year I am busy dealing with the things that held me back on the CDT. Some things we cannot control or influence, such as the weather. I enjoy your blog!
Thank you for sharing. I think on a thru hike taking a couple of days off for snow is acceptable, but not on a large section when on a timetable. I have hiked a lot of trails, but this is the first time I really felt vulnerable and unsafe. Glad this hasn’t happened before. Food, body, and gear were great, I just felt I shouldn’t be there. Perhaps, the wallet stolen got into my head. That is what my husband thinks. Skiing has been excellent and I am heading to Utah in April to do some routes. Best to you Greg.
Sometimes there are reasons that don’t even unfold until much later. Your heart led you.
Can you tell us more about the trips you guide. Are they open to the general hiking population?
Hello Jill,
Thank you for your support. I started guiding last summer for Andrew Skurka. The information is here: https://andrewskurka.com/guided-trips/ . This year I will be guiding in Utah, Colorado, and Yosemite. It is a great opportunity and I love it.
I loved reading about and seeing the trail! So glad you like to write about it…..
Thank you so much for sharing a portion of the Arizona Trail with us – do love reading your adventures and seeing your beautiful pictures. Sorry you had to cut your hike short but glad you made the decision to make sure you will be ready for your April adventures. Thank you again and again!
Thank you for the posts. I greatly appreciate them being real and your exercise of discretion in the outdoors. Its speaks volumes of your wisdom. Thanks for all you’ve given to your readers.
Best always.
Thanks for your latest entry. Having lived on the east side of the Phoenix metropolitan area for five years, I am familiar with the Bee-line Highway. For our second anniversary, my wife and I backpacked just below the edge of the Mogollan Rim, using the highway to get there. Ours was only an overnight, but hiking with my eternal companion was incredibly satisfying.
I sport an amputated lower leg now and returning to backpacking shape has been daunting for the past three years: I have built up to a few miles per day, then something happens with the residual limb and I have to stop walking and heal for a few weeks. Each pause is long enough to drop me to short distances and nearly starting over.
I have begun thinking that the universe is trying to give me hints. I could train for a paddle trip instead, and paddle the Connecticut River with my wife when she retires. We could use the new Guthook’s guide of that river. I get excited thinking about it. Maybe we could even take our grandsons. The point is that there are adventures more suited to my current reality than long-distance backpacking. Thinking …
Your latest pause has also reminded me of the last time I backpacked in the Grand Canyon: my mind didn’t reach a point of calm – where it accepts the daily miles under foot without feeling that the countless steps are killing or injuring me. Weeks from my sixtieth birthday then, I wondered if God wanted me to use my time in other pursuits. Sometimes slogging on isn’t the way.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your reflection. It reminds us all that stopping or pausing can be a good thing. I have grown to love you more as have many of your readers.
Sorry to hear that you turned back as I know what you were hoping for. It is always hard to make the right decision. But you shouldn’t feel let down. Just feel pleased that you heard and listened to the “inner voices”. Having the sense to listen is cause for celebration, not commiseration. Keep on Rockin. I will keep on following and envying my role model.
All the very best
Barrie
You hiked half the trail and that is amazing! So many people, including myself, cannot walk that distance through varying terrain. The next passage is snowing and raining all this week. I was in that area 3 days prior and the ground was dry and no jacket required! Hikers ahead of you are mud, rain, and snow slogging to Utah border. The bottom of Grand Canyon may be the only dry part but you have been there during winter! Thanks for sharing, Rockin!
Christy, sounds like you made the right descision. You are an inspiration to all who follow your adventures. Your photos are stunning. Thank you for sharing the trail!
Good golly, yes you are lucky! Or blessed would be a better word. I can’t begin to say how much I’ve received from you over the years. Now, that, I consider a blessing of innumerable value. I’m glad you went home. Go do the trail when it feels right. I’m sure nobody thinks anything of it and as a matter of a fact, I admire that you know when it’s time to do something else. I’m with Steve, “thanks a million”. GoRockin’Go!
I loved following along! Your pics are great and I always enjoy your perspective. Until the next adventure! Safe travels…😊
What an extraordinary person you are! And, am I ever fortunate to have followed you. Thanks a million.