Mogollon Rim Back Packing Trip

Last year my friend from work, and hunting buddy Nick decided he wanted to do some backpacking. Nick has a bad back and I have a bad back but we created an overly aggressive plan, packed way too much gear, and took off for the rim.

The plan was to do 35 miles with full gear, in my case 60 pounds because of my rifle and hunting gear, in three days. We ended up doing about 14 miles the first day which nearly killed us. The last couple miles my feet were going numb from aggravated nerves. I slept horrible and we decided no full gear the next day. 

So the second day we hiked close to 10 miles with lighter packs to get the truck and bring it back to our site. At this point we were out of water and in a drought. We knew where a tank was but we weren't quite that desperate yet. So we started down a canyon which ended up being dry. We turned and headed for the truck and decided we'll find water on the way. We started down another canyon that had a dry river. I suggested we follow it but Nick thought it would all be dry like the spot where we crossed it. So we get halfway up the other site and Nick says "You're gonna kill me but what does that look like". Yes, there was water at the bottom. So back down the canyon. We probably drank a half gallon before heading back for the truck. 

After we got back to camp that night we didn't have much energy to hike anymore. We tried to find some coyotes but found nothing. It was still a fun trip but next time I need to act like the old man I am and get a burro to haul my gear. I'm in therapy now for my back hoping I can one day be able to handle another backpacking trip but at this time I think I'm going to be limited to 30 pounds or less. I can hike all day, I just can't handle the weight on my back. I did find some good spots for fall foliage viewing next fall.

The first day out there we probably saw 30 Elk. These ones were crossing the highway and we had to stop for them. When I was setting up camp that night Nick went to get our beer stash out of a tree and started yelling that Elk were coming my way. There was a herd of probably 15-20 of them that ran right through my camp however there wasn't enough light for a good picture.

About a mile in our first day. Had to take a break for some KiltLifter Ale.

I think this is the first beehive I have seen in the wild. We saw another high up in a tree later that day.

We were wondering what happened here. Microburst?

This part of the trail was cool becuase of the variety of trees. Everything from pine, aspen, juniper, ash, etc.

I imagine this would be a good place to be next year to see the fall foliage. Lots of dead trees and dropped leaves. Must have been quite a sight a couple weeks prior.

Some really big trees off the Houston trail.

Edge of the rim.

Nick and Bella getting some water. We found the spring but it didn't flow very far.

This canyon actually had quite a view. It splits here into two canyons. I just couldn't capture it all with my camera.