I may have a chance for a last minute fall hike of the AZT. Does starting in late September and going South seem reasonable? I found a lot of spring hiker journals, but not many fall hiker journals. I’m assuming there is a reason for this? Major water issues? Maybe someone can let me know the biggest concerns of a fall hike? Thanks…on the PCT now and not much time at the computer!
Brian
Spring is probably the better season for snow melt and temps. But a fall SOBO should definitely be reasonable. I wish I could tell you more about the conditions. Look at the AZT website and follow the link to Fred Gaudet’s water page, which should have some historical info for the fall months, but not for this year. Hopefully someone local will tell you about that.
I did some hiking on the AZT in the high country in the Four Peaks and Superstitions last December and it was wonderful, just before the winter snow started. Springs and creeks were flowing fine then, but there were recent heavy rains. The wet season should have just finished–they get most of their moisture during the “monsoon” months of July and August. I haven’t been there since June so I don’t know what current conditions are.
Good luck finishing the PCT. You should do fine on the AZT with water with your PCT experience, but you’ll need better maps and route finding skills.
Garlic
I think this year has been pretty average for moisture, at least in Tucson. I believe the problem with fall is partly that even though AZ gets the majority of it’s precip from the monsoon, that comes in the form of short bursts of heavy rain that tends to run off and/or evaporate. The winter snow is what tends to feed the springs more. So in fall springs aren’t as reliable as in spring.
I’m sure others can add more researched info to this.
p.s. Have fun in Stehekin! mmmmm, dinner at the Lodge and at the ranch…
markv
Actually this monsoon season has largely been a bust - discounting a recent uptick in moisture due to Hurricane Jimena remnants - overall, it’s quite dry out there compared to normal at this time of year. This includes Tucson.
Were it a strong monsoon season, this can sometimes yield autumn water conditions on par with an average spring along the trail, though it does tend to be more spotty due to the capricious nature of summer storms, and is more likely to deteriorate the farther into autumn the hike progresses.
I would be cautious about hiking the AZT this fall unless you were really feeling your oats while heading across the Mojave this spring on the PCT. But stay tuned, because the meteorological word is that a strong El Nino pattern is starting to set up, which may or may not have any short-term positive effect on the current drought across AZ.
http://drought.unl.edu/DM/MONITOR.html
blisterfree
http://drought.unl.edu/DM/MONITOR.html for this week reports:
“Monsoon activity remained disappointingly light across the Four Corners States, resulting in further expansion of abnormal dryness (D0). In southeastern Arizona, Tucson completed its second-hottest July-August period on record, with an average temperature of 89.4 degrees F. Only 1994, with a July-August average of 90.3 degrees F, was hotter. From June 15 – August 31, rainfall in southern Arizona totaled just 2.12 inches (46 percent of normal) in Tucson and 1.31 inches (38 percent) in Safford. More than three-quarters (80 percent) of Arizona’s rangeland and pastures were rated in very poor to poor condition on August 30. Rangeland and pastures in New Mexico were also suffering in some areas, with 39 percent rated very poor to poor.”
blisterfree
Thanks for the informed response, blisterfree. I was just going on what i’ve seen out my window, and i’ve only lived in Tucson for a short while. Are you here too?
markv
Thanks all for the advice. It looks like I will be carrying a lot of water! I should be on the AZT tomorrow night starting a southbound thru-hike. Thanks to those of you who posted in the past here and some good info. in hiker journals as well as all the info on the AZT site. It allowed mt to plan for this trip in several quick hours on the internet.
I’ve got a journal over at Postholer if anyone is interested (works better with my phone). If anyone else is going to be nearby on the trail feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
Brian (Buck-30)
Brian
Hey man…I may be going nobo from Mexico in October. I did a section of the PCT this April/May from Border to Big Bear. Any reason for going sobo?
Ryan
Ryan
Most people go sobo in fall and nobo in the spring. In the fall, you want to get out of the northern part of the state before it starts snowing. Once you are south of the Mogollon Rim, it is not so much of an issue, the only parts you may find snow is at the tops of the sky islands.
Sirena