does anybody no what is the best books and maps to use on the arizona trail would be.all so is there any problem with starting in sept or oct for a nobo thru
reststop
AZT best guidebooks and maps
system
#2
You should definitely start with “Arizona Trail - The Official Guide” by Tom Lorang and the Arizona Trail Association published by Westcliffe Publishers. It has detailed descriptions of all 43 trail passages and maps of each passage.
If you join the ATA they send you a CD-Rom with the GPS route. You will definitely want to check the ATA website for trail status reports. Hopefully the section on the Kaibab Plateau between the North Rim and Jacob Lake will be re-opened and you won’t have to detour around it.
Al_HikesAZ
system
#3
Definitely join the AZT and get the updated information. Otherwise you’ll miss some really nice new trail.
Garlic
system
#5
I also brought a print out of Dave Hicks e-book and read the most recent trail journals. I’ve posted some updates in my journal too. Sept/oct start would probably be okay til about the four peaks. I wouldn’t recommend the Four Peaks in snow conditions. We just went through and between Buckhorn mtn and Shake Spring the trail is really overgrown, that combined with possible eroded trail on steep slopes makes it tricky. Possible but potentially very dangerous if the snow turns icy. Same goes for the Mazatzels. You could always bring an ice axe if it’s cold and icy and you really want to do it. Or maybe you’ll get there early enough before snow falls, I’m no AZ weather expert.
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