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Reavis Ranch

I got a ride to Picketpost trailhead with plans to complete the 45 mile Superstition section of the AZT. I brought food for five days but I figured I would probably be out in four. I was well rested and had a good 14 mile hike on the first day. Within the first hour I came to what was the deepest water crossing on the trip. I decided to try and keep my feet dry on the first day since I was nursing a blister from the previous trip. It was caused by my stiff low cut approach shoes. I put on my sandals and waded through the knee deep swift current. After a bit I put my new trail running shoes back on. This was my first time hiking with this style of shoe and so far I can see why they are popular with the thru-hiking crowd. Halfway through the day I was past by a couple followed closely by a solo hiker. They were all on there way to Utah. At the next water crossing they were all taking a break and filling water bottles. The solo hiker said something like “just get your feet wet.” They watched as I changed shoes and crossed the water. On the other side I explained to the solo hiker that I had a blister and he asked if I wanted some Leukotape. Thinking that he had called it liquid tape I said sure. It’s better that moleskin he assured me. It’s another tip that I’ll add to the list.

After taking a little nap in the shade behind an old fence built of stones, I wandered up the trail to mud spring which runs down into an old cement trough that was built in the 50’s according to the date scratched into the edge. The water, likely used by cows, would be ok if you were desperate, but the streams were all flowing so it was not needed at this time. Another hiker came along and introduced himself as Greyhound. He offered me a closed fist handshake and I bumped fists and said my name was Nathan. I imagine this is the standard hiker handshake because our hands can be really dirty and it wouldn’t feel right subjecting everyone I meet to my sweaty paws. He said there was another one coming and soon enough a blonde braided girl with mirrored shades and a big smile approached us from the south. He said “This is Nathan” and she replied “Hi, I’m Sunkist.” They continued on passing up the questionable water of mud spring. I felt kind of left out that I did not have a trail name and I wondered if it was cool to name yourself or if you were supposed to wait until other hikers came up with one for you.

The next morning I woke up to a steep climb that took at least an hour reaching a saddle near the top of most of the peaks in that area. The wind must have been 20-30 mph as I struggled along the trail which was now a 4×4 road heading towards Roger’s trough trailhead. A truck going the opposite direction passed me and the driver said “Don’t worry, it gets better.” And he was right. The trail changed back to single track and went down into the protection of the mountains. After hiking through lots of mud and water no longer worried about my wet feet I came to the beautiful oasis of Reavis ranch. The photo above is near where I camped on the north end. The cottonwood trees are a nice contrast to the otherwise rocky brown desert landscape.

View of four peaks after climbing over reavis saddle.
Shade tress on the left. Wind blocks on the right.

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