And lets try this again!! Headed out on Saturday

will be going to an area not far from Tonto Creek Az, which is about 20 miles east of Payson Az.

There is an area on the road that you pass through called "Little Green Valley" and a turn off to the south that leads to Forest Road 405.  Down that road a short distance, is a trail-head into Hellsgate Wilderness, there is NO camping at that trail-head, but after you have passed it, there are occasional areas on the north side of the road where you could pull off and vehicle camp for a time.

I'm going past that a bit.. if you follow the road far enough you come to 2 campgrounds.. One is down at the Tonto Creek, in a deep canyon, and I don't recommend that folks go there with a heavy vehicle, or pulling a trailer.. but on top of the hill before you head down there is another campground near Bearhide spring (it's name eludes me at the moment)

That is where I will be setting up, and doing some hiking, further sorting what to put in my pack, and exploring the area.. it is my intent to hike to Tonto Creek, Cross country.. which could be interesting and a test of my orienteering skills!

I do not yet have a method to cook when out hiking, still working on what I'm willing to do in that respect, but as long as the vehicle is in the area, I have options.  Also, fire restrictions have not yet been put in place this year, so I can make a campfire if needed!

Update to Saturdays camp

well, I blew it.. kinda <grin>  I DID go camping for 4 days, but I didn't organize my backpack/gear as I should have.. so ended up staying in the truck camp.  It was out in the woods, away from to much of civilization, and did take walks back deeper where I had intended to pack in, but I failed in that part... I still consider it a step though!!

just more incentive to get it right next time :)  I did NOT take the good camera when I went walking, which I really regret, but will get other pics in when I get there again!

Starting to learn..

Ok, I like the thought of walking for a living <grin>  going out in any direction as I wish and finding a space to be, and be happy.

slowly, I'm moving in that direction, but in order to do so I need to learn how to cope with my fears.. Fears of being alone, fears of having animal issues in the back country, fears of running out of water, of not being able to prepare foods or start a fire based on inclement weather...

it's time to start addressing those.

I now have a pack, Water filter, few types of fire starters, water bottles, compass, maps of an area I want, Gps as a backup.. mostly I just need to go spend a couple nights and learn that not all my fears need to have the power they do in my mind..

so, my intent.. is to head out for a few days on Saturday!!  will be in the bush, no developed campgrounds, but the truck wont be too far away if I decide that I need to flee..

Wish me luck!