Starting times - Arizona Trail

imported
#1

What are some good starting times for through hiking the Arizona trail?

I’m thinking spring going north and fall going south.

ZipDrive

#2

a spring northbound hike would begin in early to mid march…the ideal time to both catch some liquid runoff from the skyislands, and to somewhat avoid the punishing penetrating spring and summer heat.

tim

#3

Zipdrive,

Some of this is a guess, but having grown up in AZ and particularly the southern part ( Tucson ), I might suggest going North to South. Starting at the Grand Canyon around the last part of September, first part of October, places you in the desert during much cooler days.

It also gets you out of the monsoons and lets you enjoy cool weather almost all the way to the PHX area.

The hike around Phoenix going south will be much like the section of the PCT near Lancaster, CA. Expect it to be warm at that time of year. But, in October, it will be in the 80’s and 90’s until you hit south of Tucson.

The mountains south of Tucson should be in the 50’s in November, but you will not be on them for long.

Towards the end, you will have two mountain ranges to climb, the Catalinas, and the Chirichuas. They are small bumps and really, you want it to be cool.

From what I am told, water caching is your main problem. I think hiking in cooler weather reduces the need for water.

Just so you know, if I do the AZ trail ( I went to the U. of Arizona ) in the near future, I plan to hike it from Sept. 15th till Thanksgiving, and/or, around my birthday.

But, that will be a while. In case you did not know, I just had a son :cheers – Christopher Donald Kelley, born 1/20/03 in Bedford, TX.

That is why you haven’t heard from me in a while.:wink:

Mr. Boo

#4

The only problem with doing the trail in the fall is that there may be little water. But then, that can be true in the spring, after a dry winter, and at least you wouldn’t have to worry about finding snow in the high country. I’ve hiked in mid-May and found 95 degrees in the desert and snow covered ground at 8500’.

Spirit Walker

#5

I agree with the previous posts. Also, if you haven’t read Chris Townsend’s “Crossing Arizona”, it’s an AZT primer. He began his trek, I believe, in March. As expected, he encountered all the effects of the multiple life zones he went through, including snow, rain, cold, heat, little water, plentiful water. In addition, there is a woman currently hiking the AZT, who began last month and should be beyond Tucson by now (hiking S to N). I’m sure she’s appreciating the moderate temps we’ve had to date.

(Now, if I could only find a way to get a few months off of teaching and still get paid…)8)

grit

#6

I hiked the AZT from south to north in February-March, 1998. I had good weather and plenty of water all the way, but I encountered a lot of snow in the high elevations. Even in the Huachucas, I needed snowshoes, and I needed them in most of the major mountain ranges. I needed them again all the way from the Mogollon Rim to the Grand Canyon. I felt a little silly carrying them across the desert, but such is the nature of long-distance hiking in Arizona.

Buzzsaw

#7

I did the AZT this past spring. It was a simply wonderful trip. I started on April 3rd and finished on 21 May. I started later than I thought I should but each year is different and my start date was actually just fine. I missed initial snow at the start and I never had extreme heat. I think I was fortunate to have a ‘good’ year from a weather and water standpoint to do the hike. In fact, I only set up a tarp a half dozen nights and most of those were for a wind break. I had blue skies and sun all but three days. Most sources listed were easily found. I did place two water caches that were critical (Hwy. 83 - Oak Canyon and Freeman Rd.). I also followed the route across the Gila R. into the White Canyon Wilderness that Chris Townsend and Jake Schas did in the book “Crossing Arizona”. Two Gila Monsters were in the middle of the trail coming down Alamo Canyon.

I cannot recommend this hike enough. I literally followed a desert spring bloom as I hiked north. I was only aware of three other through hikers last spring. A simply wonderful trail (at least the parts that were on the ground). I did minimal map and compass work from what I expected. I did not carry a GPS nor did I wish I did.

If anyone has specific questions I’d be happy to answer.

Joe

Joe

#8

Hi,
My son said he might be interested in hiking with me thanksgiving week. We are from MA and have never hiked in the west. A lot in the east AT and Whites.
What would be a good section to hike this time of the year? Would renting a car help?

thanks
dayhiker

dayhiker

#9

I am headed down again to spend xmas at phantom ranch on the 21st…Anyone else going this year???

Meadow Ed

#10

Looking for a hiking partner or two to hike the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in March. Anyone interested?

ficade