Tuscon - Arizona Trail

imported
#1

Any hikers in Tuscon interested in hosting 1 or 2 prospective AZT hikers tomorrow night? Just sounds more fun than yet another Motel 6.

Apple Pie

#2

Hi Apple Pie,

Have a great AZT hike! Wishing you the best.

Marcia

#3

Apple Pie the fearless!

You’re packing snowshoes along, I imagine. Based on the NRCS snotel data, it looks like 2-3 feet of snow above 9000 feet in the southern mountains, and that depth lowers to perhaps 7k approaching the Mogollon Rim, with 4 ft or more above 9k on the Colorado Plateau.

You may get lucky beyond the southern mountains if there’s a good thaw, but the San Francisco Peaks traverse as well as GC North Rim across the Kaibab are almost guaranteed to be heavily snowbound when you arrive there.

Please keep us posted on conditions when you can.

blisterfree

#4

I’ll be keeping a journal (www.trailjournals/APAZT)and will be leaving Friday arriving early in the afternoon so won’t be needing a place to stay tomorrow, just need a shuttle to the border but I guess I’ll have to shell out the money for that one. I have awesome new snowshoes (thank you belated Santa) and I’ll be bringing crampons for the GC and maybe for Miller too. And it looks like I’ll have a partner to hike with so I feel a little safer. We’ll see how it goes!

Apple Pie

#5

Still not sure where to carry snow shoes but I’m guessing I’ll save the crampons for the Grand Canyon.

Would suggest snowshoes and basic traction like YakTrax, carried together for snow country, ie:

Mex border to Patagonia
Tucson/Vail to Oracle
Roosevelt (hitch) or Sunflower (w/ assist) or Pine: to Utah border or as appropriate based on conditions:

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Arizona/arizona.html

blisterfree

#6

That didn’t copy too well… trying again:

Mex border to Patagonia |
Tucson/Vail to Oracle |
Roosevelt (hitch) or Sunflower (w/ assist) or Pine: to Utah border or as appropriate based on conditions

blisterfree

#7

No clue why the carriage returns didn’t register above. Please note the piping ( | ) symbols to separate thoughts.

blisterfree

#8

Thanks. I’ll start out with snowhoes and crampons and will see how it goes. My snowshoes are called the ascenders (or something like that) and would seem to have good grip on more icy stuff too but haven’t been able to try that out too much.
I’m definitely not fearless. If you know anyone who wants to come with let me know.

Apple Pie

#9

Apple Pie (and all) -

How about Greyhound from Tucson to Benson, then taxi (out of Sierra Vista) to the Monument, or hitch from Benson to S.V. followed by taxi… any of which would probably be cheaper than a catered run from Tucson.

blisterfree

#10

that would be cheaper but Greyhound runs either at 11am or 9pm and I’m arriving at around 2pm. With the 9pm I’d have to pay for a motel so that doesn’t help unfortunately. Good idea though.

apple pie

#11

You may also want to look into airport shuttles… I know there are regular runs from Phoenix to flagstaff and there could just as well be similar shuttles from Tucson to Benson… plus they are cheaper than Greyhound normally… I really hope to see you before I head to the AT in March! But even if I am not here you have a hookup in Flag!

Phoenix Rising

#12

Did you find a ride? Maybe some trail magic is in order.

Shawn

#13

I paid the shuttle, not very professional driver though, didn’t even know where Montezuma Pass was, good thing I had the guide handy. Hiked to Patagonia where I’m taking the day off today, will be updating the journal.

Apple Pie