A recap of the first leg of the AZT-Mule trek on the Arizona Trail

Generally, the access points in the Official Guidebook of the Arizona Trail have been very helpful. The directions to and conditions of the roads to the Parker Canyon Lake TH, the Canelo Pass TH, the Harshaw Road TH, the Temporal Gulch TH, the Gardner TH, the AZ Route 83 Closed gate, and the Sahuarita Rd TH, and the Camino Loma Alta Road were well represented by the book.

The Turkey Creek Trailhead is not mentioned in the guide book. It is reached by exiting I-10 at exit 297 and proceeding north about 17 miles on Forest Road 35. This road is a typical dirt road-some good, some bad, some wash boards. But generally, it is a good road if you take it easy. We pulled a four horse stock trailer with no problem.

The Reddington Pass Road was in excellent condition. Fortunately for us, the grader had recently been there. There were some narrow places and one must proceed with care. Also, the people who drive the road apparently feel they are the only ones on it. So drive slow and be carefully on the curves.

Generally, the trail was in excellent condition. However, there is no access from the Arizona Trail to the Hope Cap Trail in Sahuaro National Park. There is a fence that blocks equestrian access. Also. there is no trail from Hope Camp to Turkey Creek. The Park does not want people or equestrians bushwacking to Madrona Ranger Station. This results in about a 60 miles drive from Camino Loma Alta Road to the Turkey Creek Trailhead. Sometime in the future that missing trail link must be addressed.
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As camp cook I have had no complaints but some suggestions. Maybe they are fearful of the old adage that if you complain about the cooking you become the cook. As a result, when moose turd pie is served for dessert, the recipients just marvel at how good it tastes.

As the sag crew of one, I have had the opportunity to meet some nice people who have helped me in getting supplies, water, and directions. The people at Sahuaro National Park were very helpful in giving me directions to Turkey Creek TH and the trails in the park that make up the Arizona Trail. They also provided me with access to water which is very important when taking care of two mules.

The trail stewards that we contacted after a frustrating time from I-10 to Hope Camp made the next segments more enjoyable for the riders and the cook. I want to thank Richard Kane for his help; Mark Flint for his work on the trail. There does need to be better signage for equestrian bypasses around restricted areas, such as the Cienaga Riparian area near Three Bridges and Marsh Station Road, north of I-10.

I also want equestrians to be aware of the Vail Feed Store. They provided water. They also have hay, pellets, and any other needs for the equine.

Finally, I want to thank Diane and Ron for their support of the camp boss. They come in after 7-10 hours of riding some difficult trail and they go right to work taking care of their mules. Then, and only then, do they sit down and enjoy a cool soda and some appetizers. They have been a pleasure to work with. In the morning, they break down their sleeping quarters and get everything packed up and ready for me to load into the trailer. They eat a good breakfast, make their lunches and off they go.

The next leg of the trip will begin April 9th. The goal is to go another 2 weeks before taking a week off. It has been fun.

Richard Wertz- "sag"