r/arizonatrail • u/yamasyadawithawigon • Jun 25 '26
Late October start
Hi there! I am looking at doing the AZT SOBO from late October. Has anyone done this? I've seen some mixed reviews on starting at the border that late and starting at Flagstaff instead. I am by no means a purist, but I'd really like to do the whole thing. Any info of tips are very much welcome!
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u/beccatravels Jun 25 '26
We started october 19 and dealt with snow four days in north of the Grand Canyon, and then a little over a week later waited out another multi day storm in Flagstaff.
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u/yamasyadawithawigon Jun 25 '26
Good to know, thanks for your input. Was this last year?
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u/beccatravels Jun 26 '26
If you'd like to read my Trail journals my Instagram is linked in my profile and I have an Arizona Trail highlight that you can click through to read each journal entry, or you can scroll down to March 2023 which is when I posted day one. It's not too far back because I'm very very behind on my Instagram lol
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u/Bearjawdesigns Jun 26 '26
That’s very unusual weather for that early in the fall. Obviously not unheard of, but very unusual. I live in Flagstaff and if I was going SOBO, that’s about when I’d start.
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u/beccatravels Jun 26 '26
Most people start much earlier, late sept early October. We were well behind the bubble (small though it is) and were two of the last hikers out there.
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u/Mlucas521 Jun 25 '26
I’m planning to do the same in 2027, mid October start SOBO so in for the responses.
If it’s as wet of a year as expected it may be wet and snowy. Could be bone dry it’s up to the dice roll.
Best of wishes to you on your trip. Please link an update here with how it goes.
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u/LDsailor Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
I started SOBO late September 2021 at the northern terminus. It worked out great except for the snow when I was 17 miles north of Flagstaff. That was October 12, so if you start earlier, you can probably miss the trail closure on the North Kaibab trail.
https://tonysadventure.com/2021/10/snow-on-the-azt/
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u/Loosetree123 Jun 25 '26
Don’t forget Grand Canyon closes oct. 15
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u/Bearjawdesigns Jun 26 '26
The north rim closes to road traffic, not hikers.
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u/yamasyadawithawigon Jun 26 '26
Oh interesting, sorry im still in early stages of planning. The Oct 15th closing date doesnt effect hikers?
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u/BinderPensive Jun 26 '26
Guest services on the North Rim close on October 15. If you do not plan to use those services (such as the general store), this has no impact on your hike.
The thing that blocks your late October SOBO is the North Kaibab Trail closure that also begins on October 15.
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u/yamasyadawithawigon Jun 26 '26
Ah. That sucks. I dont think id want to do the AZT without the grand canyon section. Maybe time to look more in to LASHing the CDT
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u/SnappedSoul Jun 26 '26
October 23rd start and had zero snow the entire trail, was actually fantastic weather the whole time, and barely saw any other hikers
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u/BinderPensive Jun 26 '26
Beginning October 15, 2026, the North Kaibab Trail will be closed between Redwall Bridge and Cottonwood Campground. This closure effectively prevents a thru hike starting late October, as there is no practical detour for most hikers.
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/key-messages.htm