A hike on the Arizona Path (AZT) is a really distinctive expertise. In truth, the Sonoran Desert is essentially the most biodiverse desert area on the planet – boasting an entire host of plant and animal life that may solely be discovered right here. The AZT will take you on an unforgettable 800-mile trek like no different via an ever-changing panorama.
We completely cherished mountaineering this path, and we predict you’ve made determination in selecting to stroll this path. We’ll offer you all of the assets you want for a profitable journey on the AZT on this information.
Fast Info
- Distance: 800 miles
- Time Wanted: 6-8 weeks
- Highest Elevation: 9,141 ft. – Kaibab Plateau
- Lowest Elevation: 1,646 ft. – Gila River
- Elevation Achieve (approx.): 113,000 ft.
- Finest Time to Hike: Most individuals begin within the south and go north (NOBO) in the course of the springtime – normally beginning in early or mid-March and ending in April. Hikers going north to south (SOBO) usually begin in October after monsoons have completed, and so they full the path in November.
- Permits: There’s no allow for the AZT, however Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Saguaro Nationwide Park & Grand Canyon Nationwide Park require tenting permits when you plan to remain. SNP additionally requires an entrance price.
- Problem: Difficult
Highlights
- Amazingly various vary of landscapes, crops, and animals
- Tons of wildflowers within the spring/altering leaves within the fall
- Mountaineering via the Grand Canyon
- Solitude in a rugged wilderness setting
- Pleasant path cities and sturdy community of path angels (good individuals who assist out thru-hikers alongside the path hall)
- Properly-marked and maintained
- Feeling amazingly succesful and assured on the finish of the journey
- You get a home made copper belt buckle for ending
Lowlights
- Not as social as many different long-distance trails
- Some sections are very rocky
- Overgrown prickly crops in some sections
- May be onerous on sneakers/gear
- Discovering water is a problem in dry years
- Snakes, spiders & scorpions when you’re bothered by creepy-crawlies
- Loads of solar publicity
Finest Time to Hike
The Arizona Path has two distinct seasons for thru-hikes, however there are alternatives to do many sections year-round. The largest issues for whenever you begin your hike can be temperature and water availability. Desert environments are vulnerable to wild temperature swings and fast adjustments in climate patterns. You might expertise snow, heavy rain, or 100°+ temperatures on this path.
Northbound (NOBO) is the commonest course for hikers to finish a thru-hike – the NOBO season begins within the spring. Most hikers will set off from the Mexican border in early to mid-March with the objective of ending earlier than Might. This timeline permits you to take pleasure in extra water than the autumn mountaineering season attributable to winter snowmelt, and you may count on temperatures to remain above freezing most nights and beneath 90° most days. Climate and water are simpler to plan for within the spring, so that is the season we usually suggest.
SOBO hikers start their journey south from the Utah border in fall – usually in early October – and goal to finish the path earlier than the top of November. Water availability within the fall relies upon virtually fully on how moist the summer season monsoon season is in Arizona, so it adjustments enormously from yr to yr. However usually, fewer water sources are flowing in the course of the SOBO season. Fall temperatures can differ so much alongside the AZT. You’ll doubtless expertise some nighttime temperatures effectively beneath freezing for the primary 250 or so miles on the plateau sections, and you could possibly encounter lingering 100°+ temperatures the additional south you go.
Many individuals select to section-hike the AZT, breaking the 800-mile journey into smaller chunks – and this has large benefits for choosing essentially the most nice situations to hike in. Part mountaineering permits you to select what’s most essential to you – skipping the tough Arizona warmth, hitting the path when water is most ample, or avoiding freezing temperatures and snow – for every part of the path so you’ll be able to simply benefit from the stroll.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Hike?
It takes most hikers about 6-8 weeks to finish a hike on the AZT. Some backpackers actually hike this path in much less time, however the terrain, climate, and availability of water could make big-mile days troublesome. Most individuals take the path at an pleasant tempo and calculate in a number of“zero” days (relaxation days) and “nero” days (brief for “almost zero”) to permit the physique to recoup.
Permits
There isn’t a allow for the AZT, however you go via two nationwide parks that do require permits.
You have to get hold of a backcountry allow for Saguaro Nationwide Park earlier than getting into the park boundary, and there are solely two locations to camp there – Manning Park and Grass Shack – which additionally require permits of their very own. You may get entrance permits and tenting permits.
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park additionally requires permits for tenting within the park. Most hikers will keep in at the very least certainly one of these websites: North Rim, Shiny Angel, and Mather (South Rim). There are backcountry places of work on each rims of the park, and it is best to go to certainly one of these to speak to a ranger about tenting permits. They’re normally capable of get you a website on the backside of the canyon inside one or two days of your arrival when you’re not planning on doing rim-to-rim in at some point. We stayed at Shiny Angel Campground within the canyon, and we extremely suggest taking this chance. Exterior of an AZT thru-hike it’s fairly robust to get permits to camp within the canyon.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park additionally requires a allow (bought on the Cave Store) when you plan to camp at certainly one of their two campgrounds, however there’s loads of free dispersed tenting alongside the path earlier than and after the park. We suggest skipping the price space and discovering some flat floor to sleep on on the AZT.
Problem
The AZT is well-maintained, well-marked, and straightforward to comply with for many of the hike, so navigation is never a problem. The primary difficulties on this path are the solar publicity, availability of water, terrain/setting, and the size of the path.
SUN EXPOSURE
The AZT cuts a path via the Sonoran Desert, and as you would possibly count on, it’s a fairly sunny place. There’s little or no shade on most sections of the path, so we take into account sunscreen, a solar shirt, sun shades, and a solar umbrella necessities for this hike. Protecting your pores and skin protected is tremendous essential on your total well being, and having a shaded place to take a break underneath your umbrella can do wonders for morale on particularly sizzling days.
See our 20 Ideas for Backpacking within the Desert Information for extra recommendation on staying protected and comfy on the AZT.
WATER
It could shock you to study that the majority of Arizona’s water sources are recharged by snow. The state doesn’t see a lot rainfall outdoors of its summer season monsoon season, however the high-elevation areas get a good quantity of snow in most years. Because of this most individuals go for a spring NOBO hike on the AZT – water is extra ample. Don’t take that to imply you’ll see it typically, although. Until you hike in a extremely excessive snow yr, you’re more likely to have a number of giant gaps (20+ miles) between water sources alongside your 800-mile journey.
It’s a good suggestion to have the power to hold at the very least 4 liters of water for actually sizzling, dry stretches. We carried two 1-liter Smartwater bottles and a Platy Bottle per individual, in addition to a Vargo BOT that doubled as a cookset and further water capability.
TERRAIN/ENVIRONMENT
Many sections of the AZT are extremely rocky, and it might actually take a toll in your sneakers and the underside of your toes. Many hikers received’t make it via the entire path with a single pair of sneakers, so it’s essential to issue this in when constructing your funds.
You need to select footwear with ample cushion in case your toes aren’t accustomed to mountaineering on rocks all day as a result of it might grow to be downright painful after a number of hours straight of stepping on jagged rocks.
After all, you’ll additionally encounter tons of Arizona’s iconic cacti alongside the journey. These crops are stunning, however they’ll trigger some actual injury when you get too shut. Specifically, it’s a must to watch out round “leaping cholla” (pronounced choy-a). These cacti will depart you lined in prickles from the lightest brush towards its fruits, and what’s worse is that they drop spine-covered balls everywhere in the floor that may be robust to keep away from. You should definitely convey a small pair of tweezers in your first-aid package to drag cactus spines off of your clothes, pores and skin, and equipment.
TRIP LENGTH
The AZT is 800 miles lengthy which is a large bodily problem, nevertheless it additionally requires a big money and time dedication. We usually funds $2-$3 per mile for a thru-hike, and we suggest letting your loved ones and office learn about your plans as far upfront as doable to rearrange for time away. Not everybody has the liberty or monetary assets to step away from society for thus lengthy, so many hikers select to finish the path in smaller sections.
Northbound vs. Southbound
Northbound (NOBO) is the extra frequent course to journey on the AZT, however each choices have their advantages. We hiked the primary 300 miles NOBO within the spring after which did the remaining 500 miles southbound (SOBO) within the fall, so we acquired a fairly good concept of the professionals and cons of each instructions.
NOBO
PROS
- Nicer common temperatures for a majority of the path
- Water is normally extra ample within the spring NOBO season
- You save the Grand Canyon for (virtually) final
- There are extra folks on path to work together with when you’re searching for a social expertise
- Resupply cities get farther aside the additional north you go, so that you hit longer meals carries after you’re already warmed up
- Wildflowers bloom within the spring
CONS
- The path begins with some robust climbs from the southern terminus
- Lingering snow would possibly stay at excessive elevation
SOBO
PROS
- In our opinion, the path will increase in magnificence as you journey south
- The primary 250 miles or so are comparatively simple (aside from the Grand Canyon), so that you get a pleasant warm-up
- Aspens within the north change shade within the fall
CONS
- Fewer folks to work together with when you’re searching for a social expertise
- Cities are extra unfold out within the north, so you have got longer meals carries earlier than you’re warmed up
- You might cope with early-season snow within the north and lingering excessive temperatures within the decrease desert
Getting There
NOBO
Should you’re mountaineering NOBO on the AZT, the best strategy to get to the southern terminus is to fly into Tucson and rent a shuttle from there. We used the Discovering True North shuttle service which was moderately priced and our driver was pleasant and protected. Should you go along with a special shuttle driver, make certain they’re prepared to take you all the best way to the trailhead at Montezuma Go. It requires driving virtually 9 miles up a considerably tough dust street.
SOBO
There are a few alternative ways to get to the northern terminus, however the best choice is to fly into Web page, AZ by way of the Phoenix airport after which get a shuttle or a trip from a path angel to the Stateline Campground.
Planning Your Itinerary
Planning a free every day itinerary isn’t needed, however we’ve realized from previous thru-hikes that it’s very useful. Most individuals take 6-8 weeks to finish the AZT, with a median of round 14-20 miles a day. We suggest overestimating the time it’ll take you to finish the path as a result of it’s simpler to get off early than it’s to get off late in case you have obligations to return to. Take into consideration your skill, mountaineering fashion, zero days, and a little bit leeway for surprising hiccups when creating your mileage plan.
The FarOut app is our most popular useful resource for planning and navigation on path as a result of you’ll be able to see the place water sources and potential campsites are, what providers can be found in path cities, and you may depart and browse feedback different hikers left in regards to the standing of water or locations they loved in cities.
One other invaluable useful resource for this hike is the Arizona Path Affiliation’s (ATA) web site. Right here you’ll find descriptions of every part of the path (referred to as passages on the AZT), entry a checklist of shuttles and path angels, and a lot extra.
Water
Water availability on the AZT fluctuates drastically based mostly in your begin date, snowpack, and the climate. Water sources could be far aside and unreliable within the desert, and most of them are off path. We suggest having a water capability of a minimum of 4 liters with you simply in case. Light-weight foldable bladders, like Platy Bottles, come in useful for large water carries.
Our greatest recommendation is to replenish wherever you’ll be able to, by no means depart a supply thirsty, and carry greater than you assume you want. The FarOut app is nice for planning your water carries as a result of you’ll be able to see different hikers’ stories about which water sources are flowing forward. Nonetheless, there’s no assure you’ll discover water at a supply whenever you get there.
Lots of the water sources alongside the AZT are very muddy and contaminated by livestock, so it’s essential to pack a dependable water filter. We used a Platypus Quickdraw and a Katadyn BeFree as a result of they’re light-weight and comparatively simple to wash within the discipline. As a result of there’s a lot dust in most of the water sources, it is best to count on to must backflush your filter usually to revive the movement charge.
Utilizing electrolyte mixes in your water may even assist masks any bizarre flavors and maintain you higher hydrated.
Meals Storage
There are bears, mice, and different scavengers alongside the AZT, so correct meals storage is a should. We every carried an Ursack Main to maintain our meals protected from animals, however most of this path isn’t conducive to hanging a bear bag. We normally simply positioned our Ursacks outdoors of the tent the place we may see them in case we would have liked to scare away a critter.
Backpacking Gear – What to Pack
It’s crucial to maintain your pack weight to a minimal when setting out on a thru-hike. Dialing in your gear could be costly and really feel overwhelming, however we promise that taking the time to plan and enhance your gear setup will make your trek a much more pleasant and profitable expertise.
Since we did the path in two seasons, we had two utterly totally different units of drugs. Under we’ll checklist our prime suggestions from the gear we carried, seasonal gear ideas, and issues we’d have most popular to have.
TENT
We used a Zpacks Duplex Zip for the northern 500 miles of the path, and we had an amazing expertise with it. It’s ultralight, spacious, and packs down fairly small for a Dyneema shelter. Since you’re unlikely to come across precipitation on this path, the usual Duplex – which omits the zipper on the vestibules – will do exactly tremendous and prices much less. Pairs of hikers wanting additional house will love the bigger Zpacks Triplex, although you might need some hassle discovering tent areas to suit it in. Be taught extra in regards to the Zpacks Plex tents and our different prime thru-hiking tent suggestions on our checklist of the Finest Ultralight Tents.
Many hikers select to cowboy camp (sleep underneath the celebrities as a substitute of a shelter) for many of the path – and we suggest all hikers do this for at the very least one evening. The climate is normally nice sufficient for this to be completely doable and comfy, however it is best to all the time carry some type of shelter simply in case. Should you plan to do plenty of cowboy tenting, you might desire to hold a tarp. Our prime tarp advice is the versatile and ridiculously mild Zpacks 7×9 Flat Tarp.
SLEEPING BAG/QUILT
Temperatures differ dramatically at evening, and also you’ll go from low to excessive elevation fairly usually. We packed for the bottom temperatures we anticipated to come across, which meant 20°F sleep sacks for each the spring and fall legs of our hike. We truly skilled temperatures within the teenagers for a number of nights on our fall hike within the north, however we managed to maintain heat and comfy with what we had.
A quilt is an efficient choice for this path due to its versatility – you’ll be able to drape it over you want a blanket on heat nights or cinch it tight to lure warmth when it’s chilly. We used the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 20 (spring) and the Hammock Gear Burrow 20 (fall). The Burrow is hotter than the Unbound so it was excellent for fall, and the Unbound is lighter than the Burrow so it was excellent for spring. We love them each and you may as well discover extra data on our checklist of the Finest Backpacking Quilts.
SLEEPING PAD
We had a heat sleeper who used the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT for its mix of sturdiness and low weight and a chilly sleeper who carried the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XTherm NXT for additional heat. Relying on the way you sleep, both of those choices could be a sensible choice for the spring or fall. You can even take a look at much more choices on our checklist of the Finest Sleeping Pads.
BACKPACK
We examined 4 totally different backpacks on this path, and our total prime decide is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55. It has a really handy pocket setup, supportive design, and it completely balances weight and sturdiness.
One other in style choice we noticed a ton of hikers utilizing is the ULA Circuit. It has a bigger capability than the Unbound and a extra supportive body, so it’s excellent for the longer meals and water carries you’ll expertise on the AZT.
You’ll be able to’t go mistaken with both selection or any choice on our checklist of the Finest Backpacking Backpacks for that matter.
WATER
There are some fairly gnarly water sources alongside the AZT, so it’s essential to pack a dependable water filter that’s simple to wash. We used the Platypus Quickdraw paired with a Smartwater bottle and a Katadyn BeFree. Each of those are microfilters, so that they misplaced movement charge shortly attributable to all of the muddy water we filtered. However each are additionally fairly simple to wash within the discipline, so we had been pleased with our decisions.
We additionally carried chlorine dioxide tabs as backup, which is one thing we suggest doing for this path. We met a hiker whose filter had frozen on an unexpectedly chilly evening. They’d have been left with no strategy to deal with their water for some time in the event that they hadn’t additionally carried a chemical backup.
For water storage, we every had 4 liters complete capability. We carried two one-liter water bottles every and one Platy Bottle every and a Vargo BOT for additional water capability if we would have liked it.
Be taught extra in regards to the filters and vessels we carried on our lists of the Finest Water Filters and Finest Water Bottles. Since that is the desert, we take into account electrolyte dietary supplements a necessity that will help you keep hydrated. Verify our Finest Hydration Mixes Information to see our prime suggestions.
FOOTWEAR
Most hikers select to put on path runners for this hike as a result of they’re light-weight, breathable, and comfy. Should you go this route, it is best to count on to want two pairs as a result of the rocks on the AZT eat via the delicate rubber tread and tear up the mesh uppers.
We exhausted a pair of Altra Lone Peaks (males’s / girls’s) on this hike and acquired a brand new pair in Flagstaff (a little bit over 500 miles complete into our journey, plus we’d executed some smaller, pre-AZT hikes in them). We (and lots of different hikers we met) had been pleased with these path runners as a result of they’ve wonderful grip, low weight, and a large toe field. A well-liked choice for hikers wanting extra cushion between their toes and the rocks could be HOKA Speedgoats (males’s / girls’s). Each of those sneakers are prime picks on our lists of the Finest Mountaineering Sneakers for Males and Ladies.
We additionally wore Chaco Z/1 Traditional Sandals (males’s / girls’s) (sure, sandals) which we cherished however isn’t one thing we’d suggest to hikers who aren’t accustomed to sporting sandals on rugged trails. However when you’re curious, you’ll be able to study extra about them on our lists of the Finest Mountaineering Sandals for Males and Ladies.
HEADLAMP
We used rechargeable headlamps for this journey – the Black Diamond Spot 400-R and Petzl Actik CORE – and we had been pleased with each lights. They’re each shiny, light-weight, and have an extended burn time. The Spot and Actik are a few of our favorites and there are much more on our checklist of the Finest Headlamps.
COOKING SYSTEM
We carried a SOTO Windmaster Range, Vargo BOT, and Toaks Titanium 650 Pot. We cherished the range as a result of it’s typically windy on the AZT, and – because the identify would suggest – the Windmaster works very effectively within the wind.
The BOT is one other favourite as a result of it’s giant sufficient to boil water for a number of meals, it has a screw-on lid that got here in helpful after we wished to cold-soak lunch, and it doubled as a water bottle for after we wanted additional water capability. We additionally carried the Toaks Pot for nights after we wished to boil water individually, and it’s the proper choice for solo hikers trying to maintain pack weight low.
Extra data on the Windmaster could be discovered on our checklist of the Finest Backpacking Stoves, and the BOT and Toaks 750 (a barely bigger model of what we carried) are each on our checklist of the Finest Backpacking Cookware.
FOOD & FOOD STORAGE
Take a look at our Finest Light-weight Backpacking Meals Information, Finest Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals checklist, Finest Power Bars checklist, and our different Meals Guides for our prime hiker-food suggestions.
We every carried an Ursack Main to maintain our meals shielded from animals. Be taught extra about it on our Finest Stuff Sacks checklist.
CLOTHING
Under is the checklist of clothes we suggest for this path, and it is best to use it as a tenet to construct your preferrred clothes system. In the end one of the best clothes to take would be the belongings you like and that make you are feeling most comfy. Head over to our Backpacking & Mountaineering Clothes 101 submit and our Attire Gear Guides for extra recommendation on placing collectively your preferrred layering system.
NAVIGATION
We used the FarOut Arizona Path Information which was an important device for locating water. Most AZT hikers use this app, however the ATA additionally has some nice assets which can be particularly helpful for part hikers.
FIRST AID KIT
You need to all the time convey a small, personalised first help package when heading into the backcountry. We used a customized package that we pieced collectively utilizing the AMK .3 Ultralight Package, a ton of ibuprofen, a number of benadryl tabs, and cut-up strips of RockTape. Take a look at our Finest First Help Kits checklist for more information.
SUN PROTECTION
You’ll be uncovered to the solar for many of the AZT, and UV rays are intense within the open desert. Polarized sun shades, sunscreen, and SPF lip balm are all important, and we had been more than happy with our determination to convey solar umbrellas. We additionally extremely suggest sporting a UPF mountaineering shirt.
POCKET KNIFE
We swap out our pocket knife for a small pair of ultralight scissors on longer hikes, as a result of it’s lighter and extra sensible for our wants. Should you desire a knife, we suggest the Benchmade Mini Bugout from our Finest Pocket Knives checklist as a result of it’s light-weight and compact. The Swiss Military Traditional SD can also be an amazing choice when you’re searching for a multitool.
OTHER ITEMS
For extra suggestions on our favourite light-weight backpacking tools, take a look at the CleverHiker Gear Information and our Prime Picks web page.
Resupply
Since you’ll be on path for a number of weeks, you received’t have the ability to carry all of your meals directly – you’ll have to cease and resupply periodically. Most individuals resupply 8-10 instances, stopping each 80-100 miles. Resupplying typically is fairly simple for many of the AZT if you wish to minimize down on meals weight in your pack, however bear in mind that city stops could be costly and time-consuming.
You’ll be able to resupply by mailing containers forward of time to a submit workplace or a spot on the town that gives to carry containers for hikers (like a gear store) or getting a trip into a close-by city for the grocery retailer. In case your resupply plan includes mailing packages, you’ll wish to ship them effectively upfront to ensure they arrive in time so that you can decide them up.
Should you’re mailing your resupply containers to a submit workplace (be sure that the PO in your goal city accepts common supply), that is the way you’ll wish to tackle your field:
- Your Title
c/o Common Supply
City Title, AZ 01234
Arriving By: ETA
It’s additionally a good suggestion to write down your identify or put a particular marker (like colourful doodles or stickers) on all sides of the field to make it simpler for postal staff to search out it amongst the heaps of different containers.
RESUPPLY RECOMMENDATIONS
Patagonia (AZT NOBO mile 52.4)
This was our favourite path city – everybody was so pleasant, the city itself may be very charming, and the grocery retailer is among the greatest we’ve seen in a small city.
Keep right here: Terra Sol is a really comfy and welcoming place to pitch your tent, do laundry, and take a bathe. Hikers have entry to an out of doors kitchen, a hearth pit, and a screened shelter, and the center of city is a brief stroll from right here for resupply.
Eat right here: We ended up at Gathering Grounds by likelihood because it was the one factor open after we got here via, nevertheless it didn’t disappoint. The sandwiches and drinks listed below are superior, and different hikers appear to agree that this is among the greatest eats on the town.
Resupply right here: Crimson Mountain Meals is an efficient choice for vegans/vegetarians/folks with dietary restrictions. They’ve a number of good produce and an amazing number of bars. Patagonia Market’s choice is a little more primary than Crimson Mountain however we used it to complement our resupply. They’ve many hiker staples, like ramen, dehydrated refried beans, and electrolyte mixes.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park (AZT NOBO mile 125.7)
This park is a brief jaunt off the path, and so they’ll maintain resupply packages for thru-hikers. We despatched containers right here, and the workers allow us to sit on the patio and cost our electronics whereas we loved some fries and prickly pear margaritas from the snack stand with a bunch of different hikers.
Summerhaven (AZT NOBO mile 190.2)
This can be a tiny city that you just’ll go proper via on path on the prime of the Mt. Lemmon climb. We don’t suggest staying right here because it’s a spendy resort city, however we grabbed a number of issues from the surprisingly well-stocked Mt. Lemmon Common Retailer to get us to Oracle the following day. You’ll most likely hear buzz in regards to the Cookie Cabin on the best way right here, however we don’t assume it’s price a cease. The pizza and cookies had been very costly (although they’re additionally fairly giant) and actually simply weren’t that good – even after the strenuous climb up Lemmon. Save your cash and deal with your self to a pleasant, large meal in your subsequent city cease.
Oracle (AZT NOBO mile 204.3)
Oracle isn’t the world’s biggest path cease, as a result of it’s not very walkable and there aren’t many lodging for staying in a single day. However when you’re not choosy, the city does have a Greenback Common and an amazing espresso store.
Keep right here: We didn’t truly keep in Oracle, however everybody recommends the Resting Oak – a home owned by a pair that caters to hikers. Their data could be discovered on the FarOut app within the middle of Oracle. We had been feeling fancy, so we break up an Airbnb with a buddy within the close by city of Catalina for some grilling and bathtub soaks.
Eat right here: The quirky Manner of the Bean Espresso Membership is technically a personal membership, however the proprietor offers hikers free day passes. The drinks right here had been superb, and the environment is tremendous enjoyable. Additionally they serve breakfast meals and pastries.
Resupply right here: Your solely resupply choices in Oracle are Greenback Common and Circle Ok (a small comfort retailer). Vegans, vegetarians, and people with dietary restrictions could have a tough time discovering good meals choices. The city of Catalina has a Bashas’ grocery retailer and is 20 minutes south. You could possibly hitch or take an Uber (what we did) there if needed.
Kearny (AZT NOBO mile 268.4)
We didn’t go to Kearny, however we form of want we had. Loads of AZT hikers say that is their favourite city on the path, and we heard nothing however good issues in regards to the variety folks there.
Keep right here: There are some people on the town that usually host hikers, however they’re by word-of-mouth. You’ll must get their data from the FarOut app if you wish to keep at their hiker haven on the town.
Eat right here: Previous Time Pizza is the spot everybody talks about from Kearny, and it’s the last word hiker-friendly cease from what we hear. The proprietor usually offers hikers rides to and from path.
Resupply right here: There’s an IGA grocery retailer on the town that has a wide variety and provides thru-hikers a free espresso and donut for stopping in.
Superior (AZT NOBO mile 306.3)
Superior is a detailed second on our checklist of favourite AZT path cities. We put our hike on pause right here within the spring, so this was our official ending spot within the fall. It’s an outdated mining group that has a ton of Wild West allure.
Keep right here: We stayed on the Copper Mountain Motel within the spring, and the household that runs it was very pleasant and accommodating. The rooms are primary however cute, and there’s a Household Greenback throughout the road in addition to a number of eating places close by.
After we returned within the fall, we stayed with the legendary path angel MJ whose data could be discovered on the FarOut app. She welcomes hikers into her dwelling and treats them like household, and he or she’s solely a few blocks from the downtown strip the place the higher grocery retailer is.
Eat right here: We completely cherished Miner’s on Predominant. It’s a Fifties-style diner within the coronary heart of downtown that serves breakfast staples, burgers, and milkshakes.
Mountainside espresso can also be implausible – we went there a number of instances, and the workers members had been all so candy.
Resupply right here: There’s a Household Greenback proper on the town on the primary freeway when you’re in a rush, however we desire the choice on the Save Cash Market on the historic strip.
Roosevelt Lake Marina (AZT NOBO mile 349.6)
The marina at Roosevelt Lake holds packages for hikers, so we despatched a field right here. There’s a small retailer that wouldn’t be choice for a full resupply, nevertheless it does have a number of hiker staples when you’re simply searching for a few fundamentals.
Payson (AZT NOBO mile 390.6)
Payson is a couple of 30-minute trip from path, however we had been in determined want of some new socks so we caught a hitch in. This can be a fairly large city with a number of eating places and three large grocery shops proper throughout the road from one another.
Keep right here: We loved a stick with some path angels down the street in Tonto Basin, however Payson has a bunch of motels to select from. The Majestic Mountain Inn has cheap charges and is shut sufficient to the grocery shops to stroll.
Eat right here: We ate at The Pinon Café which served large parts and was completely scrumptious. We in fact needed to deal with ourselves to pumpkin drinks at Starbucks too because the grocery retailer we shopped at has one inside.
Resupply right here: Walmart, Bashas’, and Safeway are all on the primary street via city, and so they’re proper throughout the road from one another. We selected Bashas’ just because it’s an Arizona chain, however any of those can have all of the choices you could possibly ever need.
If you’ll want to exchange gear, there’s a Massive 5 Sporting Items, Walmart, and a really hiker-friendly footwear store referred to as Rim Runners.
Pine/Strawberry (AZT NOBO mile 462.2)
Pine is a mile off path, so most hikers (us included) simply stroll into city. The small group of Strawberry is barely three miles up the street, and we had no downside getting there and again from Pine.
North of Pine, resupply choices are extra restricted. There are a number of locations close to the path that settle for resupply packages, however they’re solely open seasonally. We opted to do longer meals carries and solely hit the foremost resupply stops as a result of the path turns into a lot simpler north of right here.
Keep right here: We stayed on the Strawberry Chalet N Keep, which was very hiker-friendly. They’d cheap room charges and gave us a voucher to make use of towards a meal on the bar subsequent door.
There aren’t many lodging within the city of Pine, however many hikers select to remain there with a path angel.
Eat right here: Early Fowl Cafe in Pine was an enormous spotlight for us – they’ve completely large parts, cheap costs, pleasant workers, and the meals is nice. Positively strive one of many specialty sizzling cocoas!
THAT Brewery in Pine is one other very hiker-friendly institution that has a hiker field, accepts mailed resupply packages, and donates a number of the proceeds from certainly one of their beers to the Arizona Path Affiliation. They’ve additionally acquired commonplace brewery meals choices like burgers and sandwiches.
Should you keep in Strawberry, you’ll doubtless eat lunch or dinner on the Sportsman’s Chalet because the motel offers you a voucher to make use of there. Throughout the road is Pie Bar which will get an extended line the second they open, however we braved the group to get some empanadas to pack out for path.
Resupply right here: The small Ponderosa Market in Pine has an okay number of hiker meals. In case you have dietary restrictions it is likely to be higher to mail your self a field to THAT Brewery or hitchhike 20 minutes down the street to Payson.
Flagstaff (AZT NOBO mile 570.4)
Town of Flagstaff could be accessed a number of alternative ways – most hikers select to hike in on the city route which begins at NOBO mile 570.4. The “official” path is definitely thought of the equestrian route, and strolling both choice counts as having accomplished the part. Should you select to hike the equestrian route, bear in mind that there’s a tenting ban from about mile 569 to mile 606, however you may get a simple hitch into city from mile 590.
Keep right here: We arrived in Flagstaff on a Saturday, so resorts and motels had been fairly costly. There are a ton of room choices on the town although, and most hikers simply select no matter is least expensive on the time and most centrally situated. Flagstaff has a fairly good bus system that’ll get you the place you’ll want to go. We selected to stick with a path angel on the town and had an amazing expertise.
Eat right here: Flagstaff has all of the eateries you could possibly ever need, and there are various choices for vegans and vegetarians as effectively. We didn’t strive it, however most hikers say MartAnnes Burrito Palace hits the spot.
Resupply right here: This can be a metropolis, so any grocery retailer you need is right here. We break up our resupply between Fry’s and Entire Meals (for the ample vegan proteins). There’s additionally an REI on the town in addition to a number of native outfitters, so that is one of the best time to exchange your sneakers in the event that they’ve been eaten up by all of the rocks on path.
South Rim Grand Canyon (AZT NOBO mile 698.8)
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon has an entire village with a surprisingly well-stocked and fairly priced grocery retailer, laundry, and showers. This can be a good place to relaxation and take within the sights earlier than transferring on.
That is the best choice for resupply between the Grand Canyon and the northern terminus, because the North Rim is barely open a number of months out of the yr and has a much less spectacular retailer. Some hikers select to cease within the small group of Jacob Lake at mile 771.8, however we predict carrying some additional meals weight via the Grand Canyon from right here is the higher wager.
Keep right here: There’s a delegated thru-hiker website at Mather Campground close to the village. Verify in with a ranger on the campground kiosk, and so they’ll set you up with a pleasant spot for a small price.
Eat right here: There’s a small deli within the grocery retailer that has okay meals, nevertheless it’s fairly costly. We opted to prepare dinner our meals on the campsite.
Resupply right here: There’s a common retailer within the village that shares all of the hiker staples, and we had been capable of do a full resupply right here for surprisingly low cost.
Depart No Hint
Stopping and minimizing human influence is essential to the well being of our wilderness. Individually, you might assume your fireplace, shallow cathole, or meals scraps within the river aren’t going to hurt an ecosystem, however there’s a big cumulative influence.
We share this house with hundreds of individuals mountaineering alongside the AZT yearly, in addition to the various array of plant and animal life, so all of us have to do our half to guard it. It solely takes a couple of minutes to brush up on Depart No Hint tips earlier than you head out.
Develop into a Member of the Arizona Path Affiliation
The Arizona Path Affiliation (ATA) protects and maintains the AZT. With out the onerous work of their workers and volunteers, there could be no path. We extremely suggest changing into a donating member of this wonderful group to assist make sure the AZT stays round for future generations to take pleasure in. The ATA additionally commemorates profitable thru-hikers with a home made copper belt buckle – really the good path completion reward we’ve ever seen.
Extra Info
We hope this information helps you intend an unforgettable journey alongside the Arizona Path. For extra in style CleverHiker content material, take a look at the next hyperlinks:
