A hike at the Arizona Path (AZT) is a in point of fact distinctive revel in. In truth, the Sonoran Wilderness is essentially the most biodiverse wilderness area on this planet – boasting a complete host of plant and animal existence that may best 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 climbing this path, and we expect you’ve made a excellent resolution in opting for to stroll this trail. We’ll come up with the entire assets you wish to have for a a success journey at the AZT on this information.
Fast Info
- Distance: 800 miles
- Time Wanted: 6-8 weeks
- Absolute best Elevation: 9,141 feet. – Kaibab Plateau
- Lowest Elevation: 1,646 feet. – Gila River
- Elevation Acquire (approx.): 113,000 feet.
- Absolute best Time to Hike: Most of the people get started within the south and move north (NOBO) all through the springtime – in most cases beginning in early or mid-March and completing in April. Hikers going north to south (SOBO) normally get started in October after monsoons have completed, and so they whole the path in November.
- Allows: There’s no allow for the AZT, however Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Saguaro Nationwide Park & Grand Canyon Nationwide Park require tenting lets in when you plan to stick. SNP additionally calls for an front rate.
- Problem: Difficult
Highlights
- Amazingly various vary of landscapes, vegetation, and animals
- Heaps of wildflowers within the spring/replacing leaves within the fall
- Mountaineering in the course of the Grand Canyon
- Solitude in a rugged desolate tract atmosphere
- Pleasant path cities and powerful community of path angels (great individuals who assist out thru-hikers alongside the path hall)
- Smartly-marked and maintained
- Feeling amazingly succesful and assured on the finish of the adventure
- You get a home made copper belt buckle for completing
Lowlights
- No longer as social as many different long-distance trails
- Some sections are very rocky
- Overgrown prickly vegetation in some sections
- Will also be arduous on footwear/equipment
- Discovering water is a problem in dry years
- Snakes, spiders & scorpions when you’re stricken through creepy-crawlies
- Numerous solar publicity
Absolute best Time to Hike
The Arizona Path has two distinct seasons for thru-hikes, however there are alternatives to do many sections year-round. The most important issues for whilst you get started your hike will likely be temperature and water availability. Wilderness environments are vulnerable to wild temperature swings and fast adjustments in climate patterns. Chances are you’ll revel in snow, heavy rain, or 100°+ temperatures in this path.
Northbound (NOBO) is the commonest course for hikers to finish a thru-hike – the NOBO season begins within the spring. Maximum hikers will activate from the Mexican border in early to mid-March with the objective of completing prior to Would possibly. This timeline means that you can revel in extra water than the autumn climbing season because of iciness snowmelt, and you’ll be able to be expecting temperatures to stick above freezing maximum nights and underneath 90° maximum days. Climate and water are more uncomplicated to devise for within the spring, so that is the season we normally suggest.
SOBO hikers start their adventure south from the Utah border in fall – normally in early October – and goal to finish the path prior to the tip of November. Water availability within the fall relies nearly totally on how rainy the summer season monsoon season is in Arizona, so it adjustments very much from 12 months to 12 months. However normally, fewer water assets are flowing all through the SOBO season. Fall temperatures can range so much alongside the AZT. You’ll most probably revel in some middle of the night temperatures nicely underneath freezing for the primary 250 or so miles at the plateau sections, and it’s good to come upon lingering 100°+ temperatures the additional south you move.
Many of us make a choice to section-hike the AZT, breaking the 800-mile adventure into smaller chunks – and this has massive benefits for choosing essentially the most delightful stipulations to hike in. Segment climbing lets in you to select what’s maximum necessary to you – skipping the tough Arizona warmth, hitting the path when water is maximum plentiful, or fending off 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 maximum hikers about 6-8 weeks to finish a hike at the AZT. Some backpackers no doubt hike this path in much less time, however the terrain, climate, and availability of water could make big-mile days tricky. Most of the people take the path at an relaxing tempo and calculate in a couple of“0” days (leisure days) and “nero” days (quick for “just about 0”) to permit the frame to recoup.
Allows
There isn’t a allow for the AZT, however you move via two nationwide parks that do require lets in.
You will have to download a backcountry allow for Saguaro Nationwide Park prior to coming into the park boundary, and there are best two puts to camp there – Manning Park and Grass Shack – which additionally require lets in of their very own. You’ll get front lets in and tenting lets in.
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park additionally calls for lets in for tenting within the park. Maximum hikers will keep in a minimum of this sort of websites: North Rim, Shiny Angel, and Mather (South Rim). There are backcountry workplaces on each rims of the park, and also you must talk over with this sort of to speak to a ranger about tenting lets in. They’re in most cases in a position to get you a web page on the backside of the canyon inside of one or two days of your arrival when you’re no longer planning on doing rim-to-rim in someday. We stayed at Shiny Angel Campground within the canyon, and we extremely suggest taking this chance. Outdoor of an AZT thru-hike it’s beautiful tricky to get lets in to camp within the canyon.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park additionally calls for a allow (bought on the Cave Store) when you plan to camp at certainly one of their two campgrounds, however there’s a number of unfastened dispersed tenting alongside the path prior to and after the park. We suggest skipping the cost space and discovering some flat floor to sleep on at the AZT.
Problem
The AZT is well-maintained, well-marked, and simple to observe for lots of the hike, so navigation is never a subject matter. The principle difficulties in this path are the solar publicity, availability of water, terrain/atmosphere, and the period of the path.
SUN EXPOSURE
The AZT cuts a trail in the course of the Sonoran Wilderness, and as chances are you’ll be expecting, it’s a horny sunny position. There’s little or no colour on maximum sections of the path, so we imagine sunscreen, a solar blouse, shades, and a solar umbrella necessities for this hike. Conserving your pores and skin safe is tremendous necessary to your general well being, and having a shaded position to take a spoil below your umbrella can do wonders for morale on particularly sizzling days.
See our 20 Pointers for Backpacking within the Wilderness Information for extra recommendation on staying protected and relaxed at the AZT.
WATER
It’s going to marvel you to be informed that the majority of Arizona’s water assets are recharged through snow. The state doesn’t see a lot rainfall outdoor of its summer season monsoon season, however the high-elevation spaces get a good quantity of snow in maximum years. Because of this the general public go for a spring NOBO hike at the AZT – water is extra plentiful. Don’t take that to imply you’ll see it frequently, despite the fact that. Except you hike in a in point of fact excessive snow 12 months, you’re prone to have a couple of huge gaps (20+ miles) between water assets alongside your 800-mile adventure.
It’s a good suggestion to be able to elevate a minimum of 4 liters of water for in point of fact sizzling, dry stretches. We carried two 1-liter Smartwater bottles and a Platy Bottle in step with particular person, 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 could actually in point of fact take a toll for your footwear and the ground of your ft. Many hikers gained’t make it via the entire path with a unmarried pair of brogues, so it’s necessary to issue this in when development your finances.
You must make a choice shoes with plentiful cushion in case your ft aren’t acquainted with climbing on rocks all day as a result of it could actually change into downright painful after a couple of hours directly of stepping on jagged rocks.
After all, you’ll additionally come upon lots of Arizona’s iconic cacti alongside the adventure. Those vegetation are stunning, however they are able to reason some actual harm when you get too shut. Specifically, it’s a must to watch out round “leaping cholla” (pronounced choy-a). Those cacti will depart you lined in prickles from the lightest brush towards its end result, and what’s worse is they drop spine-covered balls in all places the bottom that may be tricky to keep away from. Remember to carry a small pair of tweezers to your first-aid equipment to tug cactus spines off of your clothes, pores and skin, and power.
TRIP LENGTH
The AZT is 800 miles lengthy which is a big bodily problem, however it additionally calls for a big money and time dedication. We normally finances $2-$3 in step with mile for a thru-hike, and we advise letting your circle of relatives and place of work learn about your plans as some distance prematurely as imaginable to prepare for time away. No longer everybody has the liberty or monetary assets to step clear of society for goodbye, such a lot of hikers make a choice to finish the path in smaller sections.
Northbound vs. Southbound
Northbound (NOBO) is the extra commonplace course to commute at the AZT, however each choices have their advantages. We hiked the primary 300 miles NOBO within the spring after which did the remainder 500 miles southbound (SOBO) within the fall, so we were given a horny excellent thought of the professionals and cons of each instructions.
NOBO
PROS
- Nicer reasonable temperatures for a majority of the path
- Water is in most cases extra plentiful within the spring NOBO season
- You save the Grand Canyon for (nearly) final
- There are extra other people on path to engage with when you’re on the lookout for a social revel in
- Resupply cities get farther aside the additional north you move, so that you hit longer meals carries after you’re already warmed up
- Wildflowers bloom within the spring
CONS
- The path begins with some tricky climbs from the southern terminus
- Lingering snow would possibly stay at excessive elevation
SOBO
PROS
- In our opinion, the path will increase in attractiveness as you commute south
- The primary 250 miles or so are rather simple (except for for the Grand Canyon), so that you get a pleasant warm-up
- Aspens within the north alternate colour within the fall
CONS
- Fewer other people to engage with when you’re on the lookout for a social revel in
- Cities are extra unfold out within the north, so you have got longer meals carries prior to you’re warmed up
- Chances are you’ll handle early-season snow within the north and lingering excessive temperatures within the decrease wilderness
Getting There
NOBO
When you’re climbing NOBO at the AZT, the best way to get to the southern terminus is to fly into Tucson and rent a trip from there. We used the Discovering True North trip carrier which used to be moderately priced and our motive force used to be pleasant and protected. When you move with a distinct trip motive force, ensure they’re prepared to take you the entire technique to the trailhead at Montezuma Cross. It calls for using nearly 9 miles up a quite tough filth highway.
SOBO
There are a few other ways to get to the northern terminus, however the perfect possibility is to fly into Web page, AZ by way of the Phoenix airport after which get a trip or a journey from a path angel to the Stateline Campground.
Making plans Your Itinerary
Making plans a free day-to-day itinerary isn’t essential, however we’ve realized from previous thru-hikes that it’s very useful. Most of the people take 6-8 weeks to finish the AZT, with a mean of round 14-20 miles an afternoon. We suggest overestimating the time it is going to take you to finish the path as it’s more uncomplicated to get off early than it’s to get off past due you probably have responsibilities to go back to. Take into consideration your skill, climbing genre, 0 days, and just a little leeway for surprising hiccups when developing your mileage plan.
The FarOut app is our most well-liked useful resource for making plans and navigation on path as a result of you’ll be able to see the place water assets and doable campsites are, what products and services are to be had in path cities, and you’ll be able to depart and browse feedback different hikers left concerning the standing of water or puts they loved in cities.
Any other worthwhile useful resource for this hike is the Arizona Path Affiliation’s (ATA) web site. Right here you’ll be able to to find descriptions of every part of the path (referred to as passages at the AZT), get right of entry to a record of shuttles and path angels, and so a lot more.
Water
Water availability at the AZT fluctuates significantly in keeping with your get started date, snowpack, and the elements. Water assets will also be some distance aside and unreliable within the wilderness, and maximum of them are off path. We suggest having a water capability of at least 4 liters with you simply in case. Light-weight foldable bladders, like Platy Bottles, turn out to be useful for large water carries.
Our absolute best recommendation is to fill up anywhere you’ll be able to, by no means depart a supply thirsty, and elevate greater than you assume you wish to have. The FarOut app is superb for making plans your water carries as a result of you’ll be able to see different hikers’ reviews about which water assets are flowing forward. Nonetheless, there’s no ensure you’ll to find water at a supply whilst you get there.
Most of the water assets alongside the AZT are very muddy and infected through cattle, so it’s the most important to pack a competent water filter out. We used a Platypus Quickdraw and a Katadyn BeFree as a result of they’re light-weight and rather simple to scrub within the box. As a result of there’s such a lot filth in most of the water assets, you must be expecting to must backflush your filter out ceaselessly to revive the drift charge.
The use of electrolyte mixes to your water may also assist masks any bizarre flavors and stay you higher hydrated.
Meals Garage
There are bears, mice, and different scavengers alongside the AZT, so right kind meals garage is a will have to. We every carried an Ursack Primary to stay our meals protected from animals, however maximum of this path isn’t conducive to putting a undergo bag. We in most cases simply positioned our Ursacks outdoor of the tent the place shall we see them in case we had to scare away a critter.
Backpacking Equipment – What to Pack
It’s essential to stay your pack weight to a minimal when atmosphere out on a thru-hike. Dialing to your equipment will also be pricey and really feel overwhelming, however we promise that taking the time to devise and support your equipment setup will make your trek a much more relaxing and a success revel in.
Since we did the path in two seasons, we had two utterly other units of drugs. Beneath we’ll record our most sensible suggestions from the equipment we carried, seasonal equipment guidelines, and issues we might have most well-liked to have.
TENT
We used a Zpacks Duplex Zip for the northern 500 miles of the path, and we had an excellent revel in with it. It’s ultralight, spacious, and packs down beautiful small for a Dyneema refuge. Since you’re not going to come upon precipitation in this path, the usual Duplex – which omits the zipper at the vestibules – will do exactly superb and prices much less. Pairs of hikers in need of more room will love the bigger Zpacks Triplex, despite the fact that you will have some bother discovering tent areas to suit it in. Be informed extra concerning the Zpacks Plex tents and our different most sensible thru-hiking tent tips about our record of the Absolute best Ultralight Tents.
Many hikers make a choice to cowboy camp (sleep below the celebrities as a substitute of a refuge) for lots of the path – and we advise all hikers do this for no less than one night time. The elements is in most cases delightful sufficient for this to be utterly possible and relaxed, however you must at all times elevate some kind of refuge simply in case. When you plan to do a large number of cowboy tenting, you might choose to hold a tarp. Our most sensible tarp advice is the flexible and ridiculously gentle Zpacks 7×9 Flat Tarp.
SLEEPING BAG/QUILT
Temperatures range dramatically at night time, and also you’ll move from low to excessive elevation beautiful ceaselessly. We packed for the bottom temperatures we anticipated to come upon, which intended 20°F sleep sacks for each the spring and fall legs of our hike. We if truth be told skilled temperatures within the teenagers for a couple of nights on our fall hike within the north, however we controlled to stay heat and ok with what we had.
A duvet is a superb possibility for this path as a result of its versatility – you’ll be able to drape it over you prefer a blanket on heat nights or cinch it tight to entice warmth when it’s bloodless. We used the Hyperlite Mountain Equipment Unbound 20 (spring) and the Hammock Equipment Burrow 20 (fall). The Burrow is hotter than the Unbound so it used to be highest for fall, and the Unbound is lighter than the Burrow so it used to be highest for spring. We like them each and you’ll be able to additionally to find extra information on our record of the Absolute best Backpacking Quilts.
SLEEPING PAD
We had a heat sleeper who used the Therm-a-Leisure NeoAir XLite NXT for its mix of sturdiness and coffee weight and a chilly sleeper who carried the Therm-a-Leisure NeoAir XTherm NXT for additonal heat. Relying on the way you sleep, both of those choices can be a good selection for the spring or fall. You’ll additionally take a look at much more choices on our record of the Absolute best Drowsing Pads.
BACKPACK
We examined 4 other backpacks in this path, and our general most sensible select is the Hyperlite Mountain Equipment Unbound 55. It has an overly handy pocket setup, supportive design, and it completely balances weight and sturdiness.
Any other well-liked possibility we noticed a ton of hikers the use of is the ULA Circuit. It has a bigger capability than the Unbound and a extra supportive body, so it’s highest for the longer meals and water carries you’ll revel in at the AZT.
You’ll’t move improper with both selection or any possibility on our record of the Absolute best Backpacking Backpacks for that topic.
WATER
There are some beautiful gnarly water assets alongside the AZT, so it’s necessary to pack a competent water filter out that’s simple to scrub. We used the Platypus Quickdraw paired with a Smartwater bottle and a Katadyn BeFree. Either one of those are microfilters, so that they misplaced drift charge temporarily because of the entire muddy water we filtered. However each also are beautiful simple to scrub within the box, so we have been pleased with our possible choices.
We additionally carried chlorine dioxide tabs as backup, which is one thing we advise doing for this path. We met a hiker whose filter out had frozen on an rapidly bloodless night time. They might had been left with no technique to deal with their water for some time in the event that they hadn’t additionally carried a chemical backup.
For water garage, we every had 4 liters overall capability. We carried two one-liter water bottles every and one Platy Bottle every and a Vargo BOT for additonal water capability if we would have liked it.
Be informed extra concerning the filters and vessels we carried on our lists of the Absolute best Water Filters and Absolute best Water Bottles. Since that is the wilderness, we imagine electrolyte dietary supplements a need that can assist you keep hydrated. Test our Absolute best Hydration Mixes Information to look our most sensible suggestions.
FOOTWEAR
Maximum hikers make a choice to put on path runners for this hike as a result of they’re light-weight, breathable, and relaxed. When you move this direction, you must be expecting to want two pairs for the reason that rocks at the AZT consume in the course of the comfortable rubber tread and tear up the mesh uppers.
We exhausted a couple of Altra Lone Peaks (males’s / ladies’s) in this hike and purchased a brand new pair in Flagstaff (just a little over 500 miles overall into our adventure, plus we’d completed some smaller, pre-AZT hikes in them). We (and lots of different hikers we met) have been pleased with those path runners as a result of they’ve superb grip, low weight, and a large toe field. A well-liked possibility for hikers in need of extra cushion between their ft and the rocks can be HOKA Speedgoats (males’s / ladies’s). Either one of those footwear are most sensible choices on our lists of the Absolute best Mountaineering Footwear for Males and Ladies.
We additionally wore Chaco Z/1 Vintage Sandals (males’s / ladies’s) (sure, sandals) which we cherished however isn’t one thing we’d suggest to hikers who aren’t acquainted with dressed in sandals on rugged trails. However when you’re curious, you’ll be able to be informed extra about them on our lists of the Absolute best Mountaineering Sandals for Males and Ladies.
HEADLAMP
We used rechargeable headlamps for this go back and forth – the Black Diamond Spot 400-R and Petzl Actik CORE – and we have been pleased with each lighting fixtures. They’re each vivid, light-weight, and feature an extended burn time. The Spot and Actik are a few of our favorites and there are much more on our record of the Absolute best Headlamps.
COOKING SYSTEM
We carried a SOTO Windmaster Range, Vargo BOT, and Toaks Titanium 650 Pot. We cherished the range as it’s frequently windy at the AZT, and – because the identify would indicate – the Windmaster works very successfully within the wind.
The BOT is any other favourite as it’s sufficiently big to boil water for more than one foods, it has a screw-on lid that got here in at hand after we sought after 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 sought after to boil water one by one, and it’s the very best possibility for solo hikers taking a look to stay pack weight low.
Extra information at the Windmaster will also be discovered on our record of the Absolute best Backpacking Stoves, and the BOT and Toaks 750 (a moderately higher model of what we carried) are each on our record of the Absolute best Backpacking Cookware.
FOOD & FOOD STORAGE
Take a look at our Absolute best Light-weight Backpacking Meals Information, Absolute best Freeze Dried Backpacking Foods record, Absolute best Power Bars record, and our different Meals Guides for our most sensible hiker-food suggestions.
We every carried an Ursack Primary to stay our meals safe from animals. Be informed extra about it on our Absolute best Stuff Sacks record.
CLOTHING
Beneath is the record of clothes we advise for this path, and you should utilize it as a guiding principle to construct your perfect clothes gadget. In the long run the most productive clothes to take would be the stuff you like and that make you are feeling maximum relaxed. Head over to our Backpacking & Mountaineering Clothes 101 submit and our Attire Equipment Guides for extra recommendation on striking in combination your perfect layering gadget.
NAVIGATION
We used the FarOut Arizona Path Information which used to be a the most important instrument for locating water. Maximum AZT hikers use this app, however the ATA additionally has some nice assets which are particularly at hand for part hikers.
FIRST AID KIT
You must at all times carry a small, personalised first reduction equipment when heading into the backcountry. We used a customized equipment that we pieced in combination the use of the AMK .3 Ultralight Equipment, a ton of ibuprofen, a couple of benadryl tabs, and cut-up strips of RockTape. Take a look at our Absolute best First Assist Kits record for more information.
SUN PROTECTION
You’ll be uncovered to the solar for lots of the AZT, and UV rays are intense within the open wilderness. Polarized shades, sunscreen, and SPF lip balm are all crucial, and we have been very happy with our resolution to carry solar umbrellas. We additionally extremely suggest dressed in a UPF climbing blouse.
POCKET KNIFE
We change out our pocket knife for a small pair of ultralight scissors on longer hikes, as it’s lighter and simpler for our wishes. When you choose a knife, we advise the Benchmade Mini Bugout from our Absolute best Pocket Knives record as it’s light-weight and compact. The Swiss Military Vintage SD may be an excellent possibility when you’re on the lookout for a multitool.
OTHER ITEMS
For extra tips about our favourite light-weight backpacking apparatus, take a look at the CleverHiker Equipment Information and our Best Choices web page.
Resupply
Since you’ll be on path for a couple of weeks, you gained’t be capable of elevate your whole meals directly – you’ll wish to forestall and resupply periodically. Most of the people resupply 8-10 occasions, preventing each 80-100 miles. Resupplying frequently is beautiful simple for lots of the AZT if you wish to lower down on meals weight to your pack, however remember that the town stops will also be pricey and time-consuming.
You’ll resupply through mailing containers forward of time to a submit workplace or a spot on the town that gives to carry containers for hikers (like a equipment store) or getting a journey into a close-by the town for the grocer. In case your resupply plan comes to mailing applications, you’ll need to send them nicely prematurely to verify they come in time so that you can select them up.
When you’re mailing your resupply containers to a submit workplace (ensure the PO to your goal the town accepts normal supply), that is the way you’ll need to cope with your field:
- Your Title
c/o Common Supply
The town Title, AZ 01234
Arriving By means of: ETA
It’s additionally a good suggestion to put in writing your identify or put a distinct marker (like colourful doodles or stickers) on each side of the field to make it more uncomplicated for postal staff to seek out it among the lots of alternative containers.
RESUPPLY RECOMMENDATIONS
Patagonia (AZT NOBO mile 52.4)
This used to be our favourite path the town – everybody used to be so pleasant, the city itself may be very fascinating, and the grocer is without doubt one of the absolute best we’ve observed in a small the town.
Keep right here: Terra Sol is an overly relaxed and inviting position to pitch your tent, do laundry, and take a bath. Hikers have get right of entry to to an outside kitchen, a fireplace pit, and a screened refuge, and the guts of the town is a brief stroll from right here for resupply.
Devour right here: We ended up at Amassing Grounds unintentionally because it used to be the one factor open after we got here via, however it didn’t disappoint. The sandwiches and beverages listed below are superior, and different hikers appear to agree that this is without doubt one of the absolute best eats on the town.
Resupply right here: Crimson Mountain Meals is a superb possibility for vegans/vegetarians/other people with nutritional restrictions. They’ve quite a lot of great produce and an excellent choice of bars. Patagonia Marketplace’s variety is a little more elementary 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 grasp resupply applications for thru-hikers. We despatched containers right here, and the workforce allow us to sit down at the patio and price our electronics whilst we loved some fries and prickly pear margaritas from the snack stand with a gaggle of alternative hikers.
Summerhaven (AZT NOBO mile 190.2)
This can be a tiny the town that you simply’ll move all through on path on the most sensible of the Mt. Lemmon climb. We don’t suggest staying right here because it’s a spendy hotel the town, however we grabbed a couple of issues from the unusually well-stocked Mt. Lemmon Common Retailer to get us to Oracle day after today. You’ll almost certainly pay attention buzz concerning the Cookie Cabin at the approach right here, however we don’t assume it’s value a forestall. The pizza and cookies have been very pricey (despite the fact that they’re additionally moderately huge) and in point of fact simply weren’t that excellent – even after the strenuous climb up Lemmon. Save your cash and deal with your self to a pleasant, massive meal for your subsequent the town forestall.
Oracle (AZT NOBO mile 204.3)
Oracle isn’t the arena’s biggest path forestall, as it’s no longer very walkable and there aren’t many lodging for staying in a single day. However when you’re no longer choosy, the city does have a Buck Common and an excellent espresso store.
Keep right here: We didn’t if truth be told keep in Oracle, however everybody recommends the Resting Oak – a space owned through a pair that caters to hikers. Their information will also be discovered at the FarOut app within the heart of Oracle. We have been feeling fancy, so we break up an Airbnb with a pal within the within sight the town of Catalina for some grilling and tub soaks.
Devour right here: The quirky Approach of the Bean Espresso Membership is technically a non-public membership, however the proprietor offers hikers unfastened day passes. The beverages right here have been superb, and the ambience is tremendous enjoyable. In addition they serve breakfast meals and pastries.
Resupply right here: Your best resupply choices in Oracle are Buck Common and Circle Ok (a small comfort retailer). Vegans, vegetarians, and people with nutritional restrictions can have a troublesome time discovering excellent meals choices. The city of Catalina has a Bashas’ grocery retailer and is 20 mins south. You might be able to hitch or take an Uber (what we did) there if essential.
Kearny (AZT NOBO mile 268.4)
We didn’t move to Kearny, however we more or less want we had. Numerous AZT hikers say that is their favourite the town at the path, and we heard not anything however excellent issues concerning the sort other people there.
Keep right here: There are some other folks on the town that ceaselessly host hikers, however they’re through word-of-mouth. You’ll must get their information from the FarOut app if you wish to keep at their hiker haven on the town.
Devour right here: Outdated Time Pizza is the spot everybody talks about from Kearny, and it’s without equal hiker-friendly forestall from what we pay attention. The landlord ceaselessly offers hikers rides to and from path.
Resupply right here: There’s an IGA grocery retailer on the town that has a sensible choice and offers thru-hikers a unfastened espresso and donut for preventing in.
Awesome (AZT NOBO mile 306.3)
Awesome is an in depth 2nd on our record of favourite AZT path cities. We put our hike on pause right here within the spring, so this used to be our legit completing spot within the fall. It’s an outdated mining neighborhood that has a ton of Wild West appeal.
Keep right here: We stayed on the Copper Mountain Motel within the spring, and the circle of relatives that runs it used to be very pleasant and accommodating. The rooms are elementary however lovely, and there’s a Circle of relatives Buck around the boulevard in addition to a number of eating places within sight.
Once we returned within the fall, we stayed with the mythical path angel MJ whose information will also be discovered at the FarOut app. She welcomes hikers into her house and treats them like circle of relatives, and he or she’s best a few blocks from the downtown strip the place the simpler grocery retailer is.
Devour right here: We completely cherished Miner’s on Primary. It’s a Fifties-style diner within the middle of downtown that serves breakfast staples, burgers, and milkshakes.
Mountainside espresso may be incredible – we went there more than one occasions, and the workforce participants have been all so candy.
Resupply right here: There’s a Circle of relatives Buck proper on the town at the major freeway when you’re in a rush, however we choose the choice on the Save Cash Marketplace at the historical strip.
Roosevelt Lake Marina (AZT NOBO mile 349.6)
The quay at Roosevelt Lake holds applications for hikers, so we despatched a field right here. There’s a small retailer that wouldn’t be a excellent possibility for a complete resupply, however it does have a couple of hiker staples when you’re simply on the lookout for a few fundamentals.
Payson (AZT NOBO mile 390.6)
Payson is set a 30-minute journey from path, however we have been in determined want of a few new socks so we stuck a hitch in. This is a reasonably large the town with a number of eating places and 3 massive grocery retail outlets proper around the boulevard from every different.
Keep right here: We loved a stick with some path angels down the street in Tonto Basin, however Payson has a host of inns to make a choice from. The Majestic Mountain Inn has affordable charges and is shut sufficient to the grocery retail outlets to stroll.
Devour right here: We ate at The Pinon Café which served massive parts and used to be completely scrumptious. We after all needed to deal with ourselves to pumpkin beverages at Starbucks too because the grocery retailer we shopped at has one inside of.
Resupply right here: Walmart, Bashas’, and Safeway are all at the major highway via the town, and so they’re proper around the boulevard from every different. We selected Bashas’ just because it’s an Arizona chain, however any of those can have the entire choices it’s good to ever need.
If you wish to have to exchange equipment, there’s a Large 5 Carrying Items, Walmart, and an overly hiker-friendly shoes store referred to as Rim Runners.
Pine/Strawberry (AZT NOBO mile 462.2)
Pine is a mile off path, so maximum hikers (us incorporated) simply stroll into the town. The small neighborhood of Strawberry is best 3 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 couple of puts close to the path that settle for resupply applications, however they’re best open seasonally. We opted to do longer meals carries and best hit the foremost resupply stops for the reason that path turns into a lot more uncomplicated north of right here.
Keep right here: We stayed on the Strawberry Chalet N Keep, which used to be very hiker-friendly. That they had affordable 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 the town of Pine, however many hikers make a choice to stick there with a path angel.
Devour right here: Early Hen Cafe in Pine used to be a large spotlight for us – they’ve completely huge parts, affordable costs, pleasant workforce, and the meals is superb. Indisputably take a look at one of the vital area of expertise sizzling cocoas!
THAT Brewery in Pine is any other very hiker-friendly established order that has a hiker field, accepts mailed resupply applications, and donates one of the crucial proceeds from certainly one of their beers to the Arizona Path Affiliation. They’ve additionally were given same old brewery meals choices like burgers and sandwiches.
When you keep in Strawberry, you’ll most probably consume lunch or dinner on the Sportsman’s Chalet because the motel will provide you with a voucher to make use of there. Around the boulevard is Pie Bar which will get an extended line the second one they open, however we braved the gang to get some empanadas to pack out for path.
Resupply right here: The small Ponderosa Marketplace in Pine has an ok choice of hiker meals. In case you have nutritional restrictions it may well be higher to mail your self a field to THAT Brewery or hitchhike 20 mins down the street to Payson.
Flagstaff (AZT NOBO mile 570.4)
The town of Flagstaff will also be accessed a couple of other ways – maximum hikers make a choice to hike in at the city direction which begins at NOBO mile 570.4. The “legit” path is if truth be told thought to be the equestrian direction, and strolling both possibility counts as having finished the part. If you select to hike the equestrian direction, remember that there’s a tenting ban from about mile 569 to mile 606, however you’ll be able to get a very simple hitch into the town from mile 590.
Keep right here: We arrived in Flagstaff on a Saturday, so lodges and inns have been beautiful pricey. There are a ton of room choices on the town despite the fact that, and maximum hikers simply make a choice no matter is least expensive on the time and maximum centrally situated. Flagstaff has a horny excellent bus gadget that’ll get you the place you wish to have to head. We selected to stick with a path angel on the town and had an excellent revel in.
Devour right here: Flagstaff has the entire eateries it’s good to ever need, and there are lots of choices for vegans and vegetarians as nicely. We didn’t take a look at it, however maximum hikers say MartAnnes Burrito Palace hits the spot.
Resupply right here: This can be a town, so any grocery retailer you need is right here. We break up our resupply between Fry’s and Complete Meals (for the plentiful vegan proteins). There’s additionally an REI on the town in addition to a number of native clothing stores, so that is the most productive time to exchange your footwear in the event that they’ve been eaten up through the entire rocks on path.
South Rim Grand Canyon (AZT NOBO mile 698.8)
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon has a complete village with a shockingly well-stocked and moderately priced grocery retailer, laundry, and showers. This can be a excellent position to leisure and take within the attractions prior to shifting on.
That is the most suitable choice for resupply between the Grand Canyon and the northern terminus, because the North Rim is best open a couple of months out of the 12 months and has a much less spectacular retailer. Some hikers make a choice to prevent within the small neighborhood of Jacob Lake at mile 771.8, however we expect wearing some additional meals weight in the course of the Grand Canyon from here’s the simpler wager.
Keep right here: There’s a chosen thru-hiker web page at Mather Campground close to the village. Test in with a ranger on the campground kiosk, and so they’ll set you up with a pleasant spot for a small rate.
Devour right here: There’s a small deli within the grocery retailer that has ok meals, however it’s beautiful pricey. We opted to cook dinner our foods on the campsite.
Resupply right here: There’s a normal retailer within the village that shares the entire hiker staples, and we have been in a position to do a complete resupply right here for unusually affordable.
Depart No Hint
Fighting and minimizing human have an effect on is the most important to the well being of our desolate tract. For my part, you might imagine your hearth, shallow cathole, or meals scraps within the river aren’t going to hurt an ecosystem, however there’s a big cumulative have an effect on.
We percentage this area with 1000’s of other people climbing alongside the AZT once a year, in addition to the varied array of plant and animal existence, so all of us wish to do our phase to offer protection to it. It best takes a couple of mins to comb up on Depart No Hint pointers prior to you head out.
Transform a Member of the Arizona Path Affiliation
The Arizona Path Affiliation (ATA) protects and maintains the AZT. With out the arduous paintings in their workforce and volunteers, there can be no path. We extremely suggest changing into a donating member of this wonderful group to assist make sure that the AZT remains round for long run generations to revel in. The ATA additionally commemorates a success thru-hikers with a home made copper belt buckle – in point of fact the best path final touch present we’ve ever observed.
Extra Data
We are hoping this information is helping you intend an unforgettable adventure alongside the Arizona Path. For extra well-liked CleverHiker content material, take a look at the next hyperlinks:
