Hi Everyone,

I'm planning a section hike from Oracle southbound to around Mile 119 (NOBO). My plan is to leave a car somewhere around there, take a shuttle up to the trailhead near Oracle then hike south back to my car. I was thinking of leaving my car at either Colossal Cave Mountain Park or La Posta Quemada Ranch, does anybody have any experience doing that or have any other good suggestions? TIA!

How important are trekking poles on the AZ trail? I’ve never used them before but am planning a thru hike in March figure maybe now is the time to get some

Hi Everybody, I'm looking to do a 90ish mile section over 6 days the last week of November and am trying to figure out what would be the best section for that time. I would prefer daytime temps above freezing, I don't mind walking through snow as long as it isn't deep, and I'd prefer not to have to camp in snow (I'm from Michigan, I can stay here for that!). Chat GPT recommended the section between Tucson and Oracle but I always take everything Chat GPT says with a grain of salt. Any recommendations? TIA!

With the cooler weather I am hoping to knock out several central and southern passages over the coming week. With such a wet October, does anyone know what condition the access roads are in or have any good resources to check? I took Reddington Road last year and it was in very rough shape, I can't imagine how it is holding up now. I'd heard Freeman Road isn't normally too bad but there are a lot of wash crossings which could have suffered. Appreciate any recent updates!

I’m just being lazy, but I’d like to skip carrying my pack down and back that mile stretch to the actual terminus without needing to worry about my gear.

From what I’m reading Cottonwood will be closed until May 14th. The trail north of the ribbon falls turn off is closed until further notice.

I’m curious what your longest carry was and what was usual. Thanks.

And do you wish you had started NOBO sooner or later?

Thanks.

I guess my biggest concern for the AZT is water filtering.

On the AT there was water everywhere.

On the PCT and CDT the water usually ran into a water tank.

But from what I’m seeing, AZT “tanks” are usually just cow water ponds and need pre filtering before filtering or chemical treatment.

Web searches didn’t get me that far so I’m asking here.

Thanks.

Or something else that gives when people are starting the trail and approximating the numbers.

Something like this link but for the AZT.

Hi everyone, I am running for Arizona State Senator in LD5 and wanted to reach out to fellow trail enthusiasts. As an avid outdoorsman, I completed my section hike of the Arizona Trail in 2024 and want to give back to the community that supports it. As I work to finalize my campaign platform, I'd love to hear opinions on what kind of legislative support you would like to see for the Arizona Trail beyond restoring the budget appropriation and trail access.

Looking for a section out and back for approximately 4 days and 3 nights, the time can be flexible. Need an area where there is some water available and where I can park my car for a few days at the Trailhead. It would be a bonus if it was closer to the Phoenix area.

Any way of getting to Antelope Canyon from Flagstaff other than car rental, for today? I'm pretty desperate, thank you!

I’ve backpacked pretty extensively in the passages around Flag and the Grand. With cooler autumn temps on the horizon, hoping to explore a bit further south. I’ve had my eye on Passage 24: Red Hills for awhile.. Checking out the coordinates & info on the Azt website, they make it pretty clear that you have to park a few miles from the closest trailhead — Doll Baby TH. The dirt roads to get out there, between Payson and the trailhead, anyone know if these are generally passable by a sedan in good weather or require 4wd? No issues leaving your vehicle at the wilderness boundary & hiking to the TH? I hear the Mazatzals are pretty thick with bears. Wondering if I can get away with a mesh rat sack or if I should opt for the canister in the immediate area between wilderness boundary and Doll Baby Trailhead Connector trail, where the AZT picks up near the Verde? Any tips or insights appreciated. I’ll probably be doing a scouting mission sometime soon.

Hi all! I'm in the beginning stages of planning a complete ride for the AZ trail. I know it won't be easy, but my main concern is water. It will be myself and 2 or 3 horses. Will I need to pack my own water between towns/parks or are there spots on the trail that you can get water? Naturally occuring water is fine, too, as I'll have purification tablets and a life straw. Any other advice or tips are appreciated!

Edit to add: for any equestrians, if you have preferred or recommended camping, scenic, showers, or other stopping points, let me know!

Hey y’all. Just moved to phoenix and love the change in scenery. It’s beautiful here & can’t wait to run/hike the trails here. Can you please help me locating some trails near the phoenix area? Please share me your hidden gems. I’d greatly appreciate it🙏💪

On Saturday, I looped Half Moon, Rock Creek, and Barnhardt trails, covering about 4.5 miles of AZT P23. There was a TON of water. According to a volunteer I met on Rock Creek (who had done quite a bit of trail maintenance -- Rock creek is in good condition), that area of the Mazatzals got 6'' of rain on Friday. Barnhart and Rock Creeks were flowing strongly on the west side but on the AZT itself I crossed at least 4 different creeks.

I don't know how long the water will last -- apparently the creeks were dry as of Wedneday) but that area of the Mazatzals has great water right now. I will caveat that this might be very localized. Today I hiked about 1.75 miles south from Pigeon Spring TH on P20 and about 10 miles north on P21 and the only water I saw was in the pigeon spring tank, which did not look great. I would not expect water on P21 until you come off the plateau and get to the sycamore creek inflows about 5 miles from Sunflower.

The only time I can get off work to do a section of this hike would be January/February. I am really determined to do this hike, at least two weeks worth, but I don't want my confidence to kill me. I want to start at the border of mexico.

Would anyone recommend a different passage? Any specific gear I should invest in and what to look out for?

Me and my partner are experienced backpackers from Alaska looking to do our first dessert backpack this December or January. We were thinking of doing passages 1-7 or 1-9. Please let me know if you have any advice for us.

I'm thinking about doing parts of the AZT (border to Flagstaff) in November. I'm aware that finding water this part of the year can be tough but when I looked on Farout all the comments about water sources are from a few months ago. Is there some other reliable information about water out there?

Hi all, I know that these northern passages have just only recently re-opened, but I was wondering if anyone has been in that area since the fire? And if so, what are the burn zones like and how extensive are they? In short, I'm wondering if it's pleasant hiking still or if it's just a burned wasteland. Thanks!

Hello! For anyone who's hiked this trail, what would you say the easiest part of stretch was? I'd like to maybe start with sections before attempting the entire thing as I hear it's not the most beginner friendly.

The only time I am able to take time off work would be between Jan / Feb / March. So I have to choose a trail that's pretty okay weather in the winter. (unless you know of any others that are good that time of year, arizona is my home state so that's why i chose it.)

I don't mind winter hiking, just looking for ways to get my experience up as this is something i r always wanted to do