Thru-hike planning

imported
#1

My plan is to complete a S-N through-hike of the AZ Trail starting Feb/Mar timeframe. I am bringing my dog. I will be driving my own car and thus having to park it.

I am at the beginning stages of logistical planning, so…

Might any of you have a suggestion about parking and/or shuttling options public or for-hire services? I’d like to start and end at the actual borders, but perhaps this just isn’t practical? I had also considered parking somewhere near the middle, getting a ride?shuttle? down to the start in the south, then somehow reversing the process at the end?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,
CZ

Chris Malinsky

#2

First, February may be too early depending on snow conditions in the high country down south. In 2010, early April was even a little too early. Usually, mid to late March is good.

You will have difficulties with your dog in Grand Canyon NP. Dogs are not allowed on trails in the Park and it’s fairly well patrolled with stiff fines. There are some shuttles for people, but probably not for dogs. You may need support there. Same in Saguaro NP, but it’s easy enough to walk around that Park.

Also, be sure your dog can handle some possible desert heat in the low country north of Tuscon. It can get pretty hot there in thru hiking season. There are some long (40 mile) waterless stretches, too. You may need to do some driving and caching.

Check with Tucson and Sierra Vista limo/cab services for shuttles to the border. It’ll be expensive–it’s a long way and a difficult hitch. Or advertise here when you get closer to your starting date. On the northern end, hitching will be a little easier from a very popular trailhead, and if you can get to Flagstaff, you can take shuttles and Greyhound back to Tuscon if you’ve left your car there. Again, a dog may greatly complicate this step.

Good luck.

Garlic

#3

Thanks very much for your time and thought Garlic. I will take this into consideration.

CZ

#4

Would it be better to leave from the North terminus at an early date?

CZ

#5

There will be snow in the northern part of the state until early April at least. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon doesn’t even open until mid-May because the roads are generally snow covered until then. The mountains around Flagstaff are snow covered until the end of May, if not longer. Northern AZ is on a plateau, which is fairly high in elevation. About halfway through the state you drop off the plateau into the desert. Then you have the sky islands to deal with where you will climb from the desert up to 8000’. In a wet year, there will be snow there as well into late April.

Ginny

#6

Dogs are also not allowed in Saguaro National Park and in the Catalina’s they are either not allowed on some trails or at least discouraged because of endangered Desert Bighorn Sheep. It is just not cool to hike through many of the places on the AZT with a dog. As Garlic said especially at the Grand Canyon with a dog you will not make it across the Canyon without being ticketed and sent back to the South Rim, many rangers and employees.

Greenbear

#7

The law enforcement rangers at the Grand Canyon are a particularly sadistic group of people. Pretty much the worst of the worst of humanity is represented in their ranks. Expect no mercy from them and for them to smile while writing your ticket if you bring a dog there. I worked maintenance for the Park Service at the Grand Canyon so I speak from the heart.

The law enforcement officer that I saw in Saguaro was bragging to his coworkers about writing tickets to topless girls in a pool, I believe Devil’s Bathtub, he was a straight up tool also. Be careful in the parks. These people are really screwed up. Try to get your permits in advance for both parks too. They will happily write you a ticket for camping without a permit in both parks. At the GCNP they’ll even steal all your camping gear. Be careful any where National Park rangers may be encountered they aren’t nice.

Guino

#8

I entered Saguaro a day earlier than my permit said, late afternoon actually. The ranger stopped me, started to chew me out, then said something to the effect of “Aw, go on!” He was nice about it but I’m sure he would have ticketed me if I hadn’t done my paperwork (and paid the fees of course).

bowlegs

#9

Hiking the PNT, I entered North Cascades NP without a permit (logistically impossible to get one going WEBO), figuring I’d easily stealth in that remote place. My stupid luck, a ranger finds me at dusk looking for a place to camp. The guy was great–he went way beyond the call of duty, field-issuing me a permits for my trip, calling it in on the radio and everything, then offered me some extra dinner and a cup of hot tea. I’ll never forget his kindness and company. They’re not all screwed up. Maybe it depends on how busy the park is.

My two trips through Saguaro, I got permits but never stayed at the places I’d planned. I never saw a single person anywhere in there. I have heard of others getting tickets there without a permit, so I at least get “fictitious” permits.

Garlic

#10

any tips on hiking s-n in apirl?

chris b

#11

Buy the old official trail guide by Tom Jones for tips and trailheads and a good overview. It’s kind of obsolete for the route but has good hiking info. Get up-to-date trail info from www.aztrail.org. If you join the ATA, you’ll get access to current downloadable GPS and map data and a really nice printable data book and town guide, all you really need for the hike. You can also purchase current paper maps and CDs from the ATA.

As far as start dates, you can keep an eye on Arizona Sno-tel sites on the internet for an idea of snow depth and melt rates. There will probably some discussion here as the date nears, too, with some input from local hikers.

Garlic

#12

Arizona can be a tough place for a pooch, let alone a thru-hikin’ pooch. From snakes and scorpions (irresistible playthings as they are) to jumping cholla balls (they stick to the hardy hides of cattle and are double trouble to remove) to endless rocks and searing ground temperatures, hot days and cold nights, baking sun and uncertain water prospects, and elevation changes galore. And that’s just in the desert. The Arizona Trail also goes through the mountains, with snowpack in early spring, and sometimes vague trails and blowdowns, or shredding catclaw bushes below the heavy timber zone. South of the Mogollon Rim, or for half the hike or more, the trail varies between these desert and mountain extremes, sometimes over the course of a single day.

If I were a pooch, aware of my fate, I’d put myself up for adoption immediately.

blisterfree

#13

Hi Chris, I am thinking along similar lines…resupply from car along the way… there could be a way we could shuttle each other, but then cars would be left @ trailheads for quite some time. Anyhow, I’ll be there…

Stephan