Our pack trip has ended…

Well, sad as I am to say it, our pack trip has ended at Flagstaff, after about 197 miles of travel.

Temperatures are at record highs. Fire danger is extreme. There is no water in northern Arizona anywhere along the Arizona Trail.

Last Monday we made 23.8 miles and the last water we saw was near Marshall Lake at about mile 3-4. By the time we made Flagstaff we knew we were in trouble. The last 6 or so water holes we passed were bone dry. We finally had to call Gwen and Bruce Kahler, who hauled about 70 gallons out to us and met us where the AZ Trail meets Route 66. That supplied ourselves and our horses for that night and the next morning.

Gwen Kahler, our guide through the Flagstaff area

Gwen stayed and rode with us on Tuesday, as we finished the AZT Equine Bypass route through the mountains and around Flagstaff. We passed one running stream (only the second we had seen the whole trip) as we headed back up to higher elevations. We made Schultz Tank, which had water, by about 3pm. From there it was only about four more hours of riding to reach Gwen’s place, so we decided to make the push. We reached her place by about 7pm, making a 19.2 mile day.

On Wednesday, as we were running errands, re-supplying ourselves for the second half of the trip, I contacted the USFS to ask about conditions between Flag and the Grand Canyon National Park. The answer I got was disheartening. He said we would find water in the higher elevations just north of Flagstaff, but once we dropped down into the lower elevations on the AZT we would find none. That meant we would have about 95 miles of dry terrain with no water for ourselves or our stock.

Gwen got on the phone and started making calls and texts and was able to recruit help in hauling and locating water for us so that we could make our dates at the Grand Canyon. Gwen was going to ride with us to the South Rim, so she had a vested interest. It began to look as though we were going to make it at least that far.

Once at the Grand Canyon, we would have water, as the park has provisions for both potable water and stock troughs. However, once we left the North Rim campground, we would face another 100 miles, approximately, to the next reliable water source, the Paria Creek. As for feed, we had plenty of grass in the higher elevations, but there was very little once we dropped down into the Junipers. We could not pack more than enough feed for a day or two.

This is the driest year I can remember for Arizona. There are fires all over the state, we have already had to re-route around one major fire and were lucky enough to have passed through a couple more areas before they were restricted due to fires.

On Wednesday, the USFS announced open-flame prohibitions on the areas north of Flagstaff, through which we would be riding. We used a small single-burner stove for all our cooking needs, so that didn’t restrict us, but it shows just how dangerous the situation has become.

At the Kahler’s place we were able to find a large animal vet to come out and do the health checks on our horses and mule, so that we had current certificates to enter the Grand Canyon National Park with. We also found a farrier who was willing to come out and re-shoe all our stock on short notice. We were in the middle of getting that done on Thursday, when we got the phone call that was the last straw.

My mother had a very rare and serious reaction to a prescription medicine and had been hospitalized.

It was time to stop and take care of more important business. My sister and brother-in-law came up and picked us up at the Kahler’s place that evening. Dad and I drove back up and hauled the horses back to Eagar on Saturday.

Mom is doing better now and the emergency has passed. She was home before we got home. Dad and I got to thinking we might haul the horses to the Grand Canyon and do the ride there, since I already have the permits and reservations in place and paid for. Mom gave us the go-ahead, but looking at the forecast for the next week, it appears the Grand Canyon will be experiencing record high temperatures. This has been one of the hottest and driest springs on record for Arizona. I have already lost one horse on this trip. I am not willing to risk losing another to the extreme heat in the Grand Canyon, nor to risk Dad’s or my own health any further.

Fact is, this just isn’t the right year to be attempting this ride.

On our pack trip last year, everything worked like clock-work. Things simply fell into place. This year has been different. We have fought through every kind of complication. If something could go wrong, it did. It’s time to stop before something goes really wrong and somebody gets hurt. This trip has already cost me a very good horse. The warning signs have been getting louder as we go. It’s time to concede and head home.

On the Mogollon Rim. Thanks to the Bergs for the photo

Be assured, the trip has not been wasted; Dad and I had some very rewarding days and we passed through some beautiful country. We have been pleased with the AZT and impressed with the care and maintenance most of it has received. We have seen dozens of elk, deer, and antelope, and ridden trails most folks will never see. We have enjoyed the ride immensely. We have experienced something most fathers and sons will never experience.

We’re sorry we aren’t going to make it all the way, but we want to assure all those who have helped and encouraged us along the way, that this was not wasted time. It was all a good and rewarding experience for Dad and me. We are truly grateful for all the help and support we have received.

I will post photos and a trip log after I get home and get settled. The Internet service here in Eagar is not sufficient for me to upload photos. I expect it will be a couple weeks.

Until then, Happy Trails to you.