In the continuation of my Internal Combustion Aided Great Western Loop
(Much like Andrew Skurka’s loop..except I mainly drove, hiked/skied about 200 miles in two weeks instead of nearly 7000 miles in a few months, and drank Chery Desert Cooler. Other than those small variations, it was almost exactly the same. Er..maybe not!), I spent some time in Arizona hiking along the Arizona Trail.

The Arizona Trail was calling to me for a few reasons. The most simple and direct reason is that I have never been in Arizona for any extended period of time…much less for hiking. I have hiked and explored Colorado Plateau. I have walked the length of New Mexico. But have never experienced an Arizona Sky Island or been in the Sonoran desert. Life is not just about going to the familiar, but embracing the new.

When my friend Andy (Garlic) invited me for a stretch of the Arizona trail, I eagerly accepted.

Continue reading Forthwith! 100 Miles on the Arizona Trail at PMags.com.