The sun’s out and the buns will be out, too. Consider this your weather forecast for March when The Hotdog Hundred Hike hits the trails.
The long, 100-mile hike along the Arizona Trail, hosted by local muralist Joe Pagac, is happening on Wednesday, March 15 – Sunday, March 19 and will benefit the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank. Oh, and most importantly, you’ve gotta dress up like a hotdog.
The 100-mile hike is around 20 miles a day and as Pagac describes, it’s going to be “tough and fun and the adventure of a lifetime.”
“This is happening because I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail last year and fell in love with hiking,” said Pagac. I was hiking in costumes the second half and had jokingly asked if anyone was up to hike dressed as hotdogs with me in Oregon. I had no takers, so I decided I would do it myself when I got back home to Tucson. Then I decided I might as well do it as a spectacle to raise money for charity. The Food Bank seemed like a good fit, and I really feel it is a good cause.”
If you’re up for the challenging weenie walk, you can sign up now online and if you’d rather give back without hiking, you can donate online as well.
However, if the Hotdog Hundred Hike is right up your alley, Pagac has even drawn out a map so you can prepare and equip the proper sneakers for the trek.
The Hotdog Hundred Hike Schedule
Wednesday, MARCH 15
18.6 miles
The hike starts at 7 a.m. Start at mile 103.1 on the FarOut map. You will need to get a ride/carpool out there. You won’t need to stay together with the group and you can hike your own hike. Everyone is expected to be a self-sufficient hiker. Meet at La Posta Quemada Ranch for camping in the evening.
Thursday, MARCH 16
22 miles
There is a lot of elevation gain. Manning camp is in the National Park so you will need to camp in a designated campground with everyone else on this night.
Friday, MARCH 17
21.4 miles
You’ll hike from Manning camp to the Campground at Molino Basin. This campground is on a road and they’ll have the Group campsite reserved. There are multiple other sites that are first come first served. You may need some cash to grab these but we will send some people up to try to grab them as well.
Saturday, March 18
21-23 miles
Everyone will hike up to the top of Mount Lemmon using the AZT Blue Alternate Route, which splits off at Bug Spring. Dispersed camping is allowed up there and there are campsites and cabins as well if you would like to reserve one in advance for yourself or to share.
Sunday, March 19
15-17 miles
Pagac is working on arranging an end-of-hike celebration/barbecue/Hotdog Grillout at Catalina State Park or someplace near.
Also, if you’d rather do a shorter hike, take a look at the route and see if there is a day you would like to tag along for a one-day stretch.
For more information and to register for the hike, visit hotdoghike.com and keep up with the latest by following Hotdog Hikes on Instagram. Also, don’t forget you can still donate without hitting the trails by visiting communityfoodbank.org.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
