Day 41. Patagonia

Mile 725 – Stealth To Mile 737 – Patagonia

The AZT originally went right through the small town of Patagonia on a long road section. Recently, however, a new section of trail opened, bypassing the town and eliminating the road section. This was a very welcome update to the route. The new trail section is part of an important public land acquisition that also provides an open wildlife corridor through this area — connecting wilderness areas to the south and north of town.

We were walking this new trail this morning with Verde, whom we have been hiking around since we were all stranded for a night on Mt. Lemmon. We texted the person who would be giving us a ride into town as we got close and she told us she was already at the trailhead. It seems there was an event planned for the same time, celebrating the opening of the corridor and dedicating the new trail section. It was a large gathering including representatives from the AZTA, Forrest Service, and local agencies and nonprofits that were all involved in the project.

Sure enough, the presentation was coming to a close right as we approached, as if on cue. There was even a bit of applause for the “actual hikers” as we awkwardly walked through the crowd.

We probably had enough food to rush to the end, but there was no need to hurry. Also, we haven’t had a shower or done laundry since Kearny, so an extra town stop is very welcome. Rocket’s first priority once in town was to check the library hours and determine we only had a small window that day to visit. So as soon as our chores were done (and pizza was eaten) we made it over to the library a couple of hours before they closed for the weekend.