Arizona Trail Passage 8 North 3 Miles

Jan 13, 2015; Don and Suzanne; 7 miles RT
(Click on a thumbnail below to see a larger photo)
A1AZT08NorthEnd Location of this hike A2AZT08NorthEnd Details on this hike P1030596-HDR Don checks his checklist: Camera, camera memory card and battery, hiking stick, GPS, wide-brimmed hat, keys, car doors closed, doors locked, ........ IMG 2082-HDR(3) We parked along X9 Ranch Road at this wide spot and walked to where I am standing to begin the hike
IMG 2076-HDR(3) To my right is Rincon peak IMG 2079-HDR(3) To my left is where the AZT goes up the side of the road and heads north west toward Saguaro National Park. IMG 2091-HDR(3) We met this big boy along the trail and introduced our selves. Suzanne shook his hand after a little confusion about which arm he woud use. IMG 2092-HDR To the north and east were the Rincon mountains. Several of them had their tops penetrating the clouds.
IMG 2097-HDR(3) Yet another gate along the AZ Trail. IMG 2100-HDR(3) We get to Rincon Creek to discover that it was flowing in most places over ankle deep. We were glad we had spent the money for Gotex waterproof shoes. IMG 2103-HDR(3) We are now across Rincon Creek and looking back. IMG 2106-HDR(3) Another gate we passed through. This one had what looked like an axe handle attached by a wire to the post. Don't know what that was all about.
IMG 2109-HDR(3) We saw several purple cane cholla (or walking stick cholla, tree cholla, chainlink cactus). These, like pickly pear cactus,can turn purple in cold weather. It had been cold here a couple of weeks ago but the day we hiked the temps were delighful. P1030597-HDR filtered This site is known as Hope Camp and is now within Saguaro National Park. IMG 2112-HDR(3) Hope camp was a watering hole that is now in disrepair - maybe it should be renamed Hopeless Camp. Passage 8 ends here and Passage 9 begins. P1030600-HDR Another view.
IMG 2115-HDR(3) Another view. IMG 2118-HDR(3) We continue on another .5 miles to where the AZ Trail takes off from the Quilter Trail, named after Jake Quilter. IMG 2119-HDR This is where the split occurs. The AZ Trail follows the Manning Camp Trail from here. IMG 2127-HDR(3) Another view of some of the Rincon Mountains around us.
IMG 2130-HDR(3) A young Barrel Cactus with fruit still on. SuzanneCrossingRinconCreek On the way back to the Xterror we had to again cross Rincon Creek. I took some video of Suzanne trying to decide when she was ready to take a big step to shallower water to get halfway across. The second half was a little narrower and easier.