I’m contemplating a winter AZT hike and would love to get some advice. I’m thinking about going northbound.
Any opinions on whether to carry snow shoes the whole way or are there sections I could send them ahead. I was thinking about getting crampons shipped to the Grand Canyon do I need them anywhere else? Any suggestions on transportation to the southern border to start my hike? Do I need a GPS? Am I going to get hopelessly lost??? Thanks!
Apple Pie
OMG! Apple Pie! Did you know I live on the trail? A winter hike will be tough and with the snow we have had already this winter here in Flagstaff, I think a good chunk of the trail would be easier with snowshoes. And for the weight of crampons, I would carry them all the time. You will really need them in the canyon, but I’m sure there will be a lot of other places that will be very icy as well. I think a GPS would be helpful, since there isn’t a lot of maintenance done on the trail, as the push right now is to complete the trail. They are getting close, but last I heard it’s not complete yet. I’m doing one or two passages over New Years with a friend and future AT hiker… but with the storm we are getting right now (I’m praying the power doesn’t go out tonight!) I think the 1st section I will be doing might be quite snowy. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help when you are in Flag (if it’s before I leave for the AT!)
Phoenix Rising
Hey Phoenix Rising!!! I’ll definitely e-mail you before I head out.
Thanks for all info so far, I’ve been reading journals and other trail forum threads. I read about the thorny bushes, yuck! I’m wondering how the route finding compares to the CDT.
Apple Pie
On Sat., 12/20, light snow cover around the 4 peaks down to about 6500’. Higher elevations near Mazatzal Peak appears to be solid snow, depth unknown. After Christmas storm, still light snow cover around 4 peaks, down to about 6000’.
Arizona Trail Association website has thruhiker page under “the trail”. Read passage and trail conditions pages for the current route of the two passages from Kelvin to Superior. Site also has info about GPS coords for most of the trail passages.
bill w.
Thanks, I’m reading the guidebook, taking notes, printing out info from the web… I guess there is a shuttle to the trailhead. :happy
Apple Pie
12/27/08 - backpacked in to Angel Spring on the JF and out Rogers Trough to the AZT TH on 12/28. Overnight temps were in the high 'teens. Snow and rain during the previous week has left all drainages flowing nicely and pools are full. Snow remains on the ground and the run-off should continue for a while.
Garlic is right. Don’t wear anything you don’t want torn up when you traverse the Superstitions and Mazatzals.
Cheers.
Dan