- Distance – 5.26 miles / 8.46 kilometers
- Elevation Gain – 676 feet / 206 meters
- Elevation Loss – 1706 feet / 521 meters
- Average Temperature – 77° F / 30.2° C
- Total Mileage – 120.26 miles / 204.55 kilometers
It was another beautiful morning to hike. We headed up the mountain to tackle yet another section of Passage 11a. As we were driving to Green Mountain, I commented to Scree Slider that I was hoping we didn’t have to climb that high mountain off the backside of Mt. Lemmon.
We began our hike at what initially looked like a beautiful rolling path.
But after the first turn we came to a switchback and with the next switchback this is what was staring us in the face.
Nothing like a steep climb right out the gate! However, once we got to the top of the mountain the trail leveled out to a gentle descent for almost all of the remaining hike.
We passed some crazy rock formations. It is unbelievable how the winds and times have shaped some of the rocks. 
At one point the trail became obscure, when we finally found it thanks to Garmin’s fenix3, Scree Slider built a rock cairn for other AZT hikers.
We were feeling good with this portion of the passage and both posed for some photo ops. If it were a contest, I would have to say Lova won!
We walked through a deep forested section with a creek that we had to cross many times.
As the morning and the hike wore on, we encountered more people than we have ever encountered on this Passage. There were people hiking with dogs, people hiking with young children and several mountain bikers.
It was a great day and a great hike on the Arizona Trail!
Only one more section of Passage 11a is left for us to complete. Gale Force will be joining us for that hike in a few days.
Thoughts and Adventures 
I will definitely do that walk again!
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Yes, Scree Slider, it was a nice hike. Just not sure if I would hike it again, you know me – I hate doing the same trail twice.
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Arlene,
Those rock formations are beautiful! I’m finding the heat here in India is just zapping my strength. I don’t know how you do those hikes in the heat that Arizona must be having at this time of year. Go Arlene!
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Lynda,
The rocks sometimes make it seem like what I would imagine being on the moon would be like. As for the heat, we go early, early – we start hiking usually at 6 or 6:30, but yes it does get hot at times. But let me ask, what is a woman to do? Can’t change the weather, so we try to adapt.
Arlène
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