AZT trail markings

imported
#1

After through hiking the PCT in 1999, I hiked part of the AZT - from the border to Superior several years ago, and I have to say I didn’t know where I was half the time. Braided cow paths were the norm in many areas, and when one split up, you never knew which one to take - and half the time you guessed wrong. We got lost on the second day because we missed the scrawled “azt” on a sign post The trails in Saguaro were well marked, but nothing at all about the AZT on them.
Don’t get me started on the part in the Santa Cantalinas. The stretch from Babb’s pool to Romero pass and then down the Canada del Oro is a washed out sticker bush hell if there ever was one.The Sonoran section was just plain old guessing what ranch road to take, and the section from the Gila river to Superior took the cake with numerous wrong turns and but one lousy AZT sign as I remember. I had utterly no idea where the ranch road I was on was heading, I just kept hoping it would continue north
You see, the problem in S. AZ is that the land management people are far more attuned to 4WD recreation, because, lets face it, how many people actually hike through the Sonoran Desert? Some of those mountain range “trails” had NEVER been maintained. They had 30 year old trees growing in the middle of them. I wrote a humorous? story on my hike if anyone is interested.
But hey, even after going through all that, it was very much worth it!

David Cossa

#2

Your story sounds like our CDT 2002 experience! However, I think both trails have matured, becoming more complete, more civilized, more traveled, better marked. We start the AZT Cinco de Mayo. If you read my journal at www.trailjournals.com/gottawalk you’ll get the updated version. :slight_smile:

If you want to be an early hiker on another a new “route” try the Grand Enchantment Trail. If you want a total wilderness experience I have another trail in mind. :smiley:

Happy hiking!
Marcia;) :wink:

Marcia

#3

I can personlly attest to 1.8 another 1.6 mile segment between Oracle and Superior being in much better shape now.

Shawn

#4

Thank you to all trail volunteers and trail crews everywhere!

Marcia

#5

Speaking of Oracle, hopefully that motel is still in business there for you all. They gave me a discount AND a ride to the Sonoran AZT trail head. Only one Cantina in town and I ate 4 meals there.
Actually I remember that section fondly, carrying 6 quarts of water to start and just going for miles and miles and miles down a beat up old ranch road. Never saw a soul the whole way to Bee Hive well and beyond. As desolate as it gets! What great pictures I have of that road twisting into the desert to the distant horizon. It just needed a little better signage to take some of the will I run out of water anxiety away. And I was out by the time I got to Bee Hive. And yes Bee Hive well was super skanky, as was most of the water sources that were also open to the cows. Nothing like waiting your turn behind a dozen of them!

David Cossa

#6

I just passed thru Yellowjacket Well and Beehive. Yellojacket had water in the concrete box. Tasted off but I clear with some small floaters. I pilled it. Beehive Well had a small internal combustion engine mounted on the windmill with about a 5 gal. gas tank feeding it. I hit it about 4 pm and it was running pumping clear well water to the skunky tank. I got all the water I wanted. Guess the well owner runs the pump on occasion. if it was not running the tank water was not too good looking. I would fill up at Yellowjacket and then replace at Beehive if it was pumping.

tom conover

#7

Yes the Chalet is still open and they did give me a ride to Tiger Mine Trailhead. Hiker special is $40. The Ace hardware in town does have Heet for any alcohol users. I left a bit at trailhead. The pump at American Flag is functional. You have to open the metal cover in front yard at left and if no water comes out of the bib flip the breakers up next to the tank down in the pit kinda area. Plenty of well water.

tom conover

#8

I have not had too much difficulty with the trail as of yet, but there are a couple of areas where one could easily go astray. Some areas well marked others leave you wonder just a bit. I have used my GPS a fair amount and would not hike this trail without it. I managed to make a wrong turn yesterday in Walnut Canyon and headed up a wrong canyon adjacent to it. 2 1/2 hours later UI was back to the artisean well and finally on my way. This trail is just now being completed and I would like to compliment all the folks involved with it’s construction and maintainance for their untiring efforts on our behalf. Thanks again to the ATA and all it’s volunteers.

tom Conover

#9

The finalized AZT won’t actually pass through Walnut Canyon or the White Canyon Wilderness, but those who are familiar with this scenic area and who’d like to see it remain in relatively pristine condition might consider supporting the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, one of a few environmental groups actively working to prevent open pit mining at Copper Butte, just outside the Wilderness. For more about this issue, see: http://arizona.sierraclub.org/echo/2007/Sept07Echo_color.pdf

blisterfree

#10

I’m just wondering since I don’t have the guidebook and did my section hike mostly on Dave’s? information
Does the AZT really go from Bubbs pool up 3000’ to Romero Pass and then down the Canada del Oro and then back up to Oracle Ridge before dropping into Oracle?
Or has another route now been designated. There WAS no trail down the Canada del Oro when I did it, the trail completely washed away. I basically river hopped the whole way down to the Oracle Ridge trail head. Instead of then fighting stickers up 3000’ to a burned out Oracle Ridge, I continued on down river until I hit a 4WD road and followed it and others for many miles into Oracle, an adventure in itself given the numerous severe undulations
That section needed an entire new trail built. All the way from Bubbs pool to Oracle Ridge junction, it was simply non existent, for the most part. Canopies of sticker bushes abounded! Has that changed?

David Cossa

#11

David, the AZTA has gone high tech. I think you might enjoy browsing their site at http://www.aztrail.org/

If you look “The Trail” button at the page top the last item is a Data Book. The Data Book and the Passages section will give you a good idea of where the trail goes and its current condition. Enjoy your virtual hike!

Marcia

#12

David

I think the current plan is to reroute the trail into Summerhaven and then over to the top of the Oracle Ridge trail.

But to answer your question yes the official route is down in to the CDO and then back up to Dan Saddle of course that was all before the fire when it was all fairly good trail.

Tim McCabe