Written by Elly Fisher, Wild Stew Field Crew Member.
Wild Arizona’s Wild Stew Field Crew returned to the Miller Peak Wilderness this hitch ready to shred. With lofty yet attainable goals of finishing maintenance on the Lutz Canyon Trail and moving to the Bond Spring and Miller Peak spur trails, we packed our bags at sunrise and headed out.
Two miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain later, we were met at our first backcountry campsite by Doug Ruppel, District Ranger for the neighboring Douglas Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest, and Zac Ribbing, Recreation Staff Officer for the Sierra Vista Ranger District. Doug generously agreed to pack in 20 gallons of water to get us through our first four days of hitch. Zac, also generously, spent his day bushwhacking on steep slopes to find and flag the trail to our next reliable water source, Bond Spring, which we would work our way towards. Horse, mule, and humans were all sweaty and breathing hard from the short, but unrelentingly steep hike up.
A panoramic view from the top of Lutz Canyon trail, which can be seen on the left. Photo by Jonathan Patt.
For the next two and a half days the crew worked up to the end of the Lutz Canyon trail, clearing drains, widening corridor, removing debris from tread, shifting large rocks off the trail, and enjoying the view.
Before and after removing large rocks on Lutz Canyon Trail. Photo by Jonathan Patt.
Saturday morning, we bumped camp upward another mile and 1,000 feet to the Crest/Arizona Trail to better access the Bond Spring and Miller Peak trails. The crew successfully logged out and brushed both trails, with over 40 fallen trees cut. We found particular satisfaction in restoring the Bond Spring Trail, which has not seen maintenance for 10-plus years.
Lexi going to set up a bear hang at our new camp. Photo by Jonathan Patt. 
Before and after brushing out Bond Spring Trail. Photo by Jonathan Patt.
The crew rounded out the hitch by harvesting a new sign post, installing fresh signs at the Lutz/Crest junction, summiting Miller Peak, and working our way back down.
Joe using a brace and bit to drill holes for a sign into the new post. Photo by Dexter Kopas. 
The Wild Stew Field Crew atop Miller Peak. Photo by Jonathan Patt.
Other hitch highlights included: beautiful sunsets, warm drinks in fresh snow, roasted night cheese, and discerning what character each of us would be in different fictional universes.
Joe, Lexi, and Elly admiring some icy trees on their way back to camp. Photo by Jonathan Patt. 
The sunset view from Camp #2. Photo by Dexter Kopas.
We returned to society stronger, smellier, and joyous at having completed our goals.
