Dave's Arizona Trail Through-Hike Log

(updated regularly from the trail)

Dave Baker, owner and founder of Summit Hut, is a man extraordinarily passionate about the outdoors. This passion has brought him to far away places on some extreme journeys. However, one trek that has been on his radar for years is right here in his back yard. Growing up in Tucson, desert hikes have always been a favorite of Dave's. Taking that enjoyment to heart, Dave set out on a journey from the Arizona/Mexico border all the way north to the Arizona/Utah border, approximately 800 miles. Throughout his journey he will be sharing his insights, triumphs, struggles and photographs here on his Trip Log. Follow along with his progress from March 22nd to approximately May 5th. The link below also provides a map with GPS waypoints from Dave's tracking system; the Spot (click here to find out more about this product).

Where's Dave now?

Phoenix
(April 23rd, 2008 - Phoenix, Arizona)

Mary, my mother in law, passed away on April 15. The past ten days have been a time of both mourning, celebration, and a large gathering of friends and family. I am back in Phoenix this evening at Jim’s house. Early tomorrow, Jim will drop me off at Sunflower on Highway 87, where I will resume the hike of the Arizona Trail.

I learned that Terry took an extra rest day last week to reorganize his re-supply arrangements, and then got right back on the Trail. Last I heard, he met Kyle on the Trail (the 19 year old thru hiker from Phoenix), and they have teamed up to finish the walk to Utah together.

I’ll continue my walk solo, though with Jim’s re-supply support and company at several of the trailheads in northern Arizona. I’m not expecting to be able to finish this trip log until I return home from the end of the hike, hopefully in three weeks or so.

Yucca Blossom

-Dave Baker

April 12th, 2008 - Tucson
April 11th, 2008 - Leaving the Trail
April 10th, 2008 - 2 Bar Ridge
April 9th, 2008 - Elisha Reavis
April 8th, 2008 - Confused Again
April 7th, 2008 - Confused
April 5th, 2008 - Down by the River
April 4th, 2008 - Cholla Forest
April 3rd, 2008 - Blisters
April 2nd, 2008 - Deadfall
April 1st, 2008 - No Hurry
March 31st, 2008 - Pickles
March 27th-29th, 2008 - Pace
March 26th, 2008 - Walking an Aqueduct
March 22nd-24th, 2008 - Adventures of a Half-Mad Hike Supporter (Guest Entry from Jim Romer)
March 24th, 2008 - Cinnamon Hills
March 23rd, 2008 - Eye of the Beholder
March 22nd, 2008 - Coronado
March 20th, 2008 - The Day After Tomorrow We Start!