Looking at the maps, what would people say is a good access point to Tuscon? It seems there are several places, what would be a good place for someone to meet you for a pick up as well if I needed to hitch in??
She-ra
Tuscon access - Arizona Trail
system
#3
Hitching is almost impossible in AZ… the driver gets the ticket so nobody will stop. We always asked for a ride.
To get in to Tucson we asked for a ride with a Cave employee at the end of his shift. We got to town just in time to see the 30,000 bats fly out from under a bridge! Awesome.
We paid a taxi to drive us back.
Afterwards we thought asking for a ride from the Ranch parking lot seemed like a good bet. Getting back out would still be difficult.
If you figure out something better, post it here.
Have a fantastic hike!
Marcia
system
#4
Thanks for the tips Marcia, I’ll see what happens, Yappy, hope to see you out there!
She-ra
system
#5
I hitched from Molina Basin Campground on Catalina Highway and quickly got a ride to town. Paid for a taxi to get me back. Best of luck!
No Hurry
system
#6
The issue of hitchhiking in Arizona has come up a few times, so I thought I would take a look at the laws. For the hitcher, it’s illegal to stand in the roadway, but not the shoulder or berm. (Title 28, Chapter 796). For the driver, it’s illegal to stop along a roadway. except for an emergency (Title 28, Chapter 873). But I don’t find anything making the act of hitchhiking itself , illegal. My conclusion, do your hitchhiking in rest areas and parking lot turn-offs and you and the driver should be fine. It may reduce your odds of catching a ride, but it should increase your odds of avoiding an ill-fitting orange pantsuit.
Matt
system
#7
…drop me an email in advance and i can probably arrange to leave you my cell number or somehow pick you up. There are actually several former thru-hikers living in Tucson now.
-Cuddles PCT '08
markv
system
#8
Consider getting to Tucson via Sabino Canyon Trail. A well maintained trail connects the AZT to that trail… a flat 3 mile trek takes you along Sabino Canyon to a 3 mile paved road that is part of the Sabino Canyon Park complex. That road will take you downhill (or you can grab the 1/2 hr shuttle … the only motorized traffic on that road) to the usually very busy visitor center(worth a visit) and parking lot. Because of my pack, everyone was curious where I had come from and that parlayed into a ride to town. The Tucson bus does not reach the park unfortunately, and getting back is probably a taxi ride … I took the shuttle train up and reconnected to the AZT in an hour or so. The closest amenities are straight S out Sabino Canyon Rd to where it hits Tanque Verde… two hotels $65night Pantry Pride starbucks… you name it. including excellent bus connections (to Summit Hut) a premier outfitter.
FlaBob
system
#9
Sun Tran bus runs as close as Sabino Canyon Rd at Cloud Rd, which is maybe ~3 miles(?) from the Sabino visitor’s center.
http://suntran.com/pdf/Aug%2008%20-%20Feb%2009%20MAP.pdf
The Sabino tram costs a few bucks to ride, and I think you can pay the driver for a one-way trip in that case, but confirm that. Or just hike out to the visitor’s center via the scenic Phoneline Trail.
If you haven’t been to Tucson lately, brace for it! The ATA may have decided to put it on the trail, but it’s definitely not a trail town.
blisterfree