Fitpacking

Fly or drive into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)

Take free airport shuttle to the Airport Red Roof Inn 2135 W 15TH ST Tempe, AZ 85251, 480-449-3205 800-RED-ROOF

Equipment shakedown

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Distribution of trail mix

Trip to REI Tempe, 1405 W Southern Ave, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Go out to dinner in town

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Check out of hotel

Shuttle van will take your spare bag(s) for safekeeping

Breakfast at a local restaurant. Suggestion: The Good Egg, Mesa

Drive to Ballantine Trailhead along Arizona Route 87

Begin Hiking on the Ballantine Trail

Hike 5.0 mostly uphill miles

Wilderness Camp at unnamed site (possibly no water here)

Miles today: 5.0 miles. Total to date: 5.0 miles

Bailout: Route 87

Hike 4.0 uphill miles to Pine Mountain Saddle, get water along the way

Hike 3.0 downhill miles to unnamed campsie

Wilderness camp at unnamed campsite (water 0.5 miles downhill)

Miles today: 7.0 miles. Total to date: 12.0 miles

Bailout: Cline Trailhead

Hike 0.5 miles to Cline Trailead

Hike 3.5 miles on Forest Service Road 143 to Mud Spring Trailhead

Hike 2.5 uphill miles on Forest Service Trail #83 to Soldier Camp

Camp at Soldier Camp (no water here)

Miles today: 6.5 miles. Total to Date: 18.5 miles

Bailout: Forest Service Road 143

Hike 3.0 miles to Forest Service Trail #77

Hike 2.3 miles to Cane Spring

Fill water here

Hike about 4.0 miles on Forest Service Trail #82 to Adams Camp

Camp at Adams Camp

Miles Today: 9.3. Total to Date: 35.9 miles

Bailout: Cottonwood Camp

Hike 1.0 miles to Brown's Cave

Hike 5.5 miles up Alder Canyon to Black Bear Saddle

Fill water in Alder Canyon

Expect bushwhacking in Alder Canyon

Camp on Black Bear Saddle

Miles Today: 6.5. Total to Date: 42.4 miles

Bailout: Apache Lake (bad choice, but possible)

Hike 3.0 miles on the Arizona Trail to Shake Spring

Camp at Shake Spring

While a 3 mile day isn't a lot, chances are the trails of the previous few days will be difficult to navigate. In case we don't make our mileage, we can make it up this day.

Miles Today: 3.0. Total to date: 45.4 miles

Bailout: Big Oak Flat

Hike 1.4 uphill on Trail #130 to Lone Pine Trailhead

End of hike

Miles Today: 1.4. Total to Date: 46.8

Shuttle to Fiesta Inn Resort, 2100 South Priest Drive Tempe, AZ 85282. (480) 967-1441

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Four Peaks Brewing Company

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.

Leave Hotel

Take free airport shuttle