Trail #08 – Power Lines to Pine Hike – 12 Miles

This hike was Tom’s first AZT hike done on 10-18-2016 and was to connect Hike #1 and Hike #8 together. A short little out and back 12 mile hike mainly along a telephone line trail just outside of Strawberry AZ and Fossil Creek Road. The hike was enjoyable with not much elevation change from start to turn. Ran into a mess of fresh bear tracks about midway through the hike. Tracks leading in all directions that put a little thought into our movement. Watching side to side and behind us as we hiked. This hike I carried a full pack once again to test out the weight as though it was an overnight. Not quiet sure why I did it, but it felt cool so what the heck. It was only a 12 mile hike and nice to know I can pack 32 pounds if I had to.  The new Merrill Moab Hiking shoes also did a great job and it was nice to connect up from Hike #1 at the turn and create a sense of accomplishment. No real great views on this hike. Really just making the trails connect and getting down quickly. Stopped in Payson on the drive back and had an awesome hamburger at Buffalo Bar and Grill.