| DAVE�S AZT TOP TEN MOST DIFFICULT TRAIL SECTIONS 1. Canelo Hills - Parker Canyon Lake to Canelo Pass. These hills are neither tall enough to get a heavy breathing pattern established nor short enough to get a little rest. And there�s a bunch of them. 2. Rincon Mountains western slope � Man, the Tanque Verde Ridge trail seemed so unforgiving as it kept going up and up on a hard rock trail. 3. The Pipeline Road in the Sonoran Desert north of Oracle, AZ � an up and down road for 8 miles on a nondescript, abandoned road. 4. Vineyard Trail � a steep climb on a full stomach but leading to spectacular views. 5. Superstitions � The short, less than a mile stretch up Montano Mountain just kicked my butt. I had to stop several times to catch my breath. The several miles preceding the incline were very pleasant and the trail wasn�t that steep but I sucked wind all the way up Montano. 6. East Verde River to Hardscrabble Ridge � This is a long, dry hard-to-find-the-trail stretch. 7. Babbitt Ranch � Easy walking but like walking across western Kansas. 8. Grand Canyon � I have hiked out of the Canyon many times. The 5,000�+ ascent from the Colorado River to either the north or south rim is never easy. 9. Road from the Narrows in Cienega Creek to I-10 � roads are easy to follow but they seem awfully hard and boring. This one was no exception. 10. Four Peaks Wilderness � the aftermath of the Lone Pine Fire has left many trees lying across and blocking the trail in one several mile long section. It was certainly different climbing over or walking on top of trees instead of the ground. And the charred exteriors left me looking like a human smudge. HOME EMAIL ME NEXT CHAPTER |