Backpacking - Arizona Trail

imported
#1

I am inquiring about backpacking the Arizona Trail. I haven’t backpacked for about 20+ years but want to get back into it. When people do hike the trail do they go with a specific group i.e. someone they know or is there an “open invitation” to “join our group?” I do need to re-learn about what foods to bring, cooking equipment, etc. I’m inquiring about this because I have asked a few friends who are retired, like me, to get out and see some of this beautiful country, i.e. Arizona. So far I have two takers but not really sure of their committments due to prior obligations. They might be able to go but only one has true backpacking experience. If the situation does arise we can go it alone but I would prefer to learn from hikers who have done this for awhile so I can once again learn and to get pointed in the right direction, no pun intended. :slight_smile:

Thanks for any answer(s) that someone might post regarding this.

Tom

Trailblazer

#2

Hi Tom,

Ken and I started backpacking after retirement and are really enjoying all aspects. Hope you and your friends enjoy it as much.

Unless you post here that you want a hiking partner for a specific date, you will hike with whoever you plan your hike with. There aren’t enough hikers on the AZT that you will meet up with a hiking partner on the trail like you would on the Appalachian Trail, i.e. there isn’t a group to join on the AZT.

Gear has changed significantly since you backpacked…new lighter materials and gear choices. The best prep books are by Ray Jardine. Search trail journals for AZT journals and you can read about resupply stategies, mileage hiked per day, gear lists (our best gear lists, a couple of recipes and links are at GottaWalk.com)

Ask specific questions here as they occur to you. Do you want links to ultra light gear makers or more book recommendations or would you like to join a hiker’s list to “talk” about hiking long trails?

Enjoy!

Marcia

#3

Marcia, thanks for your response. I understand what you are saying about posting a “specfic date.” Unfortunately I don’t have one as of yet but I am most likely looking at the March-April time frame. Thanks for letting me know about most likely not finding a hiking partner. But if I get a firm date I will post it to see if anyone replies.

I have been collecting gear for a short while. I think what I have purchased will do. It’s fairly light so I don’t think weight would be the problem. Also, thank you for recommending the books. I’ll check them out on Amazon. I will also go to gottawalk.com.

As for the “specific questions” that’s a good idea but I’ll have to ask as they come to me. Right now I’m in the rudamentary stages of just getting going again.

Marcia, thank you very much for your time and answers. I’ll see what I came come up with.

Cheers,

Tom

trailblazer

#4

Tom, I’m doing the AZT starting approx. April 1. I’ve already arranged a ride from Tucson to Mex. border. E-mail me or call at 707-664-1025. Bowlegs (Steve)

bowlegs

#5

We will be starting around march 10th. We also have a ride set up and will be doing some water caches prior. You can email me too if you are thinking about those dates…:slight_smile:

yappy

#6

I can do March 10. How do you think the snow will be that early? Or is it not an issue?

bowlegs

#7

I don’t know. that will be part of the hike. I plan on bringing warm weather gear from the start… if things look really bad will find ways to go around. This time works well for me but it might be better to leave later in the month. Any hike I have ever done I couldn’t know what the weather would be, sort it out when and if it happens…:slight_smile:

yappy

#8

Bring some warm gear as well. The AZT climbs to 8000+ feet. In March you will likely find snow at the higher elevations. My first ever backpack trip was in the Rincons in mid-April. I was very surprised to see a lot of snow up at Manning Camp. I’ve seen snow in the Catalinas as well into April. (That’s good because it means water.) If you’ve read Chris Townsend’s Arizona Trail book - he started with snow the first few days. Then when you get up on the Mogollan Rim you will again run into cold and snow until mid-May. There’s a reason the North Rim of the Grand Canyon doesn’t open until mid-May.

G.