The Mogollon Misogi is an event for those looking for a Soul Awakening Challenge so You Can Establish an Elite Mindset, Life Optimization Process and the Leadership Skills You Need to Consistently Perform Your Best?
Misogi (禊) is a Japanese Shinto practice of ritual purification by washing the entire body. We refer to a Misogi as a physical, mental and spiritual event so challenging that every decision and behavior in your preparation must align in order to have a chance to complete the Misogi. As part of our mental performance training we sugget our clients partake in one Misogi a year.
The 61+ mile hike will be along the entire Highline Trail from The Military Sink Hole Trail to The Pine Trailhead and is one of the hardest events you will ever endure.
It’s the essence of hiking and backpacking in Rim Country, Arizona.
The defining trail of Rim Country and one of best trails in the United States for hikers, trail runners and horseback riders.
Spectacular views, streams and springs mixed in with portions of the trail that are rough and remote.
Climbing in and out of canyons adds up to close to 10,000 feet of elevation change over the 55+ miles.
This trail has limited vehicle access points so you will be required to carry most of your food and water.
Elevations range from 6800 feet just east of Horton Spring to around 5200 feet near Pine. The Best Time of Year to hike is in Spring and fall or whenever your schedule permits.
During monsoon season (July & August), temperatures can drop 20 degrees with heavy rain and lightning with very little notice. Please be sure you check weather forecasts and know what to do in a storm while on the trails. Rim Country is a rugged, spectacular, wild, beautiful, peaceful, hot and cold. It comprises every element you would hope to find in a soul awakening challenge and total immersion learning experience.
There are deep canyons you get to descend into, many with beautiful streams or springs and riparian areas, and then stark high ridges you must climb, to be rewarded with spectacular views. Like life, with this experience, you get out what you put in.
The Highline Trail follows the base of the Mogollon Rim and travels through every single canyon or drainage that comes off of the Rim — and there are many. When you understand that, then you know you have to perhaps modify your standard backpacking mileage estimates. We will cover approximately 55-60 Miles, be ready for more. We will be covering a lot of vertical distance, both up and down. Depending on your map or GPS, you will cover close to 10,000 feet of cumulative vertical distance.
Some parts of the trail have been re-worked in the last few years from what the original settlers traveled to make the suck even grater than our ancestors had to deal with. Some of the steeper grades have been reworked to extend out along a ridgeline and follow a milder grade, trading distance for steepness. Some of this has been done because heavy monsoon rain erosion on very steep sections of the original trail created hazardous conditions. Either way, the suck is real so be ready to empty the tank, one step at a time.
When you start this trail, from the Military Sink Hole and finish at the Pine Trailhead, you can get an idea of the vastness of this undertaking. When leaving the Sink Hole, from a high vantage point you can see all the way to Milk Ranch Point, a similar prominent peninsula, and the Pine Trailhead is several miles beyond that.
The vastness and beauty of this land begins to sink in. Once you get used to the idea that you will be covering that vast distance on your two feet, immerse yourself in the beauty of the canyons and streams, tiny rivulets of small springs with life-giving water, high ridges that offer magnificent views of valleys and mountain ranges, blue and purple in the distance. And get ready for the #GetSome.
Wildlife abounds. Some you may never see, but the signs are there. Along with elk, deer, coyote, rattlesnakes and javelina tracks, you will find numerous bear tracks (real bears, not my wife), some mountain lion and bobcat tracks (#Good), as well as the occasional turkey track.
Western bluebirds are common throughout Rim Country with their iridescent blue sheen. Once in a while, they will chirp their encouragement along the trail. Who doesn’t love to get chirped when doing legit physical activity. When close to cliffs near the Rim you might be lucky enough to hear the laughing song of the canyon wren. Who doesn’t love a good laugh?
Water is available on the hike, but you do have to plan for it, and filter plenty for sections where it may not be present. Assuming you don’t know the first thing about filtering water, plan on carrying your own. We will cover 20 miles with just what you have so plan accordingly.
See Canyon -> Derrick Trail – 5.2 Miles, 751 Ft Climb, 484 Ft Decent
Derrick Trail -> Horton Springs – 3.0 Miles, 845 Ft Climb, 686 Ft. Decent
Horton Springs -> Fish Hatchery – 3.9 Miles, 313 Ft Climb, 760 Ft. Decent
Fish Hatchery -> FS144 – 9.0 Miles, 1,843 Ft Climb, 1,411 Ft Decent
FS144 -> Washington Park – 8.6 Miles, 630 Ft Climb, 1,136 Ft. Decent
$197
“Nothing can really prepare you for The Mogollon Misogi, but The Mogollon Misogi itself. The trail has no emotion toward you and your self-proclaimed mental game mastery. The 61 mile hike will put masters of the mental game to task. You will be tested. You will be forced to expand your comfort zone as you test your perceived limits. I want to thank Brian, Zach, Tom, and Charlie for the shared adversity and support. Mogollon Brothers for life!”
Ed Padalecki, MPM2022 Misogi
“The Mogollon Misogi was the hardest physical and mental challenge I have ever endured. I leaned on the other participants for energy, supplies and support. What I thought would be a 20 hour hike turned into a 36 hour, 61 mile, no sleep slugfest. I found limits I didn’t know I had and fund a great testing ground for everything I have ever learned in mental performance coaching. Thank you Tom, Ed, Charlie, Zach and Jacob for helping me to the finish. I will never forget the 2022 Mogollon Misogi”
Brian Cain, MPM2022 Misogi
Attending one of Cain’s Total Immersion Learning Experiences and doing this Mogollon Misogi has transformed my life forever. A 61mile hike over 35 straight hours, non stop with the master of the mental game himself will give you the mindset, process and skills you need to be, have and do anything you want with your life. This was a seminar on living, love and leadership all on your feet.
Todd StoneridgeStoneridge Real Estate, Houston TX
The Mogollon Misogi Total Immersion Learning Experience with Brian Cain was a pivotal point in my life. If you want to become more, this is an event that will shake you to your core and then build you up to be the best you, you have ever been.
Patricia SkinnerAdmissions Director
I’ve done the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim 3x and The Mogollon Misogi is harder. This was truly soul awakening and kick ass.
Joseph SimondsAttorney
I’ve never push myself so hard in my life. This event showed me what I am capable of. It showed me I can do anything. One year later, my health is better, my relationships are better and my income went up 10X. Truly amazing what you can do when you learn how to live in alignment with your MVP process and who you want to be.
Lynn DricanyenReal Estate Agen
$197
DAY #1
APPROX 6:00am Start Hike at Sunset at Rim
APPROXIMATE TIMES FROM HERE ON OUT BASED ON 20-30MIN MILE PACE
SECTION #1 – MILITARY SINK HOLE -> 260 TRAIL HEAD
(2.2 Miles, 39 Ft Climb, 955 Ft Decent)
SECTION #2 – 260 TRAIL HEAD -> SEE CANYON
(6.6 Miles, 386 Ft Climb, 875 Ft Decent)
SECTION #3 – SEE CANYON -> FISH HATCHERY
(12.1 Miles, 1,909 Ft Climb, 1,930 Ft Decent)
See Canyon -> Derrick Trail – 5.2 Miles, 751 Ft Climb, 484 Ft Decent
Derrick Trail -> Horton Springs – 3.0 Miles, 845 Ft Climb, 686 Ft. Decent
Horton Springs -> Fish Hatchery – 3.9 Miles, 313 Ft Climb, 760 Ft. Decent
SECTION #4 – FISH HATCHERY -> WASHINGTON PARK
(17.6 Miles, 2,473 Ft Climb, 2,547 Ft Decent)
Fish Hatchery -> FS144 – 9.0 Miles, 1,843 Ft Climb, 1,411 Ft Decent
FS144 -> Washington Park – 8.6 Miles, 630 Ft Climb, 1,136 Ft. Decent
SECTION #5 – WASHINGTON PARK -> GERONIMO
(9.2 Miles, 1,110 Ft Climb, 1,500 Ft Decent)
SECTION #6 – GERONIMO -> PINE
(8.8 Miles, 1,200 Ft Climb, 1,500 Ft Decent)
You are welcome and encouraged to bring a crew. We will provide a vehicle to get you to the start of the event. From there you will want a crew person to meet you at each station. The plan is we do this together so that we only need to have one crew vehicle to meet us all at the same time at the various refueling areas. However, if you feel that you want to run ahead or will be way behind, it may be in your best interest to bring a crew member with you. Most likely not necessary, but all depends on how you perform. Cell phone service is limited to none while on the trail. If you can hike at 20minute mile on a 5-10% grade incline, you will be and stay on pace.
(START) Chaparral Pines Golf Club -> Drive To Military Sink Hole (40Min) (Parking)
Drive Military Sink Hole -> 260 Trail Head (15Min) (Parking & Bathroom)
260 -> See Canyon (15Min) (Parking & Bathroom)
See Canyon -> Fish Hatchery (30Min) (Parking)
Fish Hatchery -> Washington Park (60min) (Parking)
Washington Park -> Geronimo (30min) (Parking)
Geronimo -> Pine Trail Head (FINISH) (20min) (Parking & Bathroom)
Lodging is available at The Mazatzal Hotel and Casino Resort and is 10minutes from Cain’s house and 45minutes from The Mogollon Rim Starting Point in Payson, Arizona. There is a potential for lodging at Cain’s house depending on the number of participants and beds still available. You can email [email protected] for more details if that is of interest to you.
There is a $197 Entry Fee for the event to cover your race swag, fuel for the race and to reserve your entry. we are only taking 5 participants for this inaugural event.
You in? To apply, simply email [email protected] and he will follow up with a quick interview and invoice to make sure you are attending for the right reasons and so you can secure your space.
$197
