Tonto Basin AZ

 It was nice to learn (after the fact) that today's ride was the "most arduous" of the entire trip, per the trip leaders. Not the longest, not the most elevation gain, but still in a class by itself.

Started easy enough getting out of Mesa, and even the first climb heading north over Usery Pass was gradual. The descent however was quite steep, and that was a harbinger of the ones to come. We rolled along the Salt River (which runs through Phoenix), crowded with weekend traffic on roads and paddling in the river. Then up successive steep hills, with fast downhills on shoulders cluttered with tire fragments and rocks, 7 percent grades. Highest elevation was 4565 ft, and it was remarkable how green the land became up from the 1200 ft or so elevation of Mesa. Lots of small yellow butterflies about. Dry air hides how much one sweats -- drinking lots of water these days. 

78 miles today, and it took well over 7 hours of actual riding, not counting lots of stops, so a long hard 10 hour day. Staying in a motel again (3rd night in a row!), but back to camping the next 8 nights; next motel will be El Paso.