I just drove down to Phoenix via 89 - past the North Rim and through Flagstaff. Flagstaff had no snow and what was left by Jacob Lake was melting quick and was patchy. I'd predict very little snow if any by the time most people hit that area. Hopefully a few storms drop some much needed snow around ...

I'd be curious about the sky islands too if anyone knows.

It takes about 4 weeks to be 100% acclimated to higher elevations and about 2 weeks to be 80% acclimated. I agree though - camp low when possible. If you're camping high, stay very well hydrated. I live at a high elevation and I see people get sick all the time typically just from simple dehydration...

As far as I know - TP: yes. Human waste: no.

Thanks for all the great feedback! It sounds like a tarp with or without a bivy is a great option, but at the same time, it seems like I might be a little late in potentially switching setups. Even if I ordered it now, I wouldn't have much opportunity in practicing setting it up since everywhere wit...

Great points, Flagscott! Definitely looking into the tarp+bivy option. I'd love to shave off two pounds at the last minute.

rcorfman - Sounds intriguing! I'll look into that too.

Thanks for all the advice!

Really appreciate the feedback! These are a great help.

I'm currently planning on bringing an MSR Hubba tent and a Klymit sleeping pad, which together are just over three pounds (the tent being the bulk of it). Since I'll be bringing a lot of camera gear, I'm looking at shedding any weight I can. What would be a lighter weight option? Is a hammock doable...

I might be mistaken but I think it also has to do with vehicular access points.

Hey Bill, From Tucson to the Grand Canyon typically takes most hikers roughly 5-6 weeks at a pace of ~15 miles/day. That's also a very rough estimate not based on any data, but what I've gathered most people do on average. There are also two stretches where caching water is highly recommended depend...

You'll probably avoid heat in the desert, but you might get some snow and/or cold weather on top of Mica Mountain (unless you plan on hiking up and over in one day). You'll run into the same problem in the Santa Catalinas though a couple of days later. Be careful if you proceed that early.

Thanks, Jim! I'll actually be driving in. I'll be doing some last minute supply and food shopping around Phoenix the first few days of March (and getting in some day-hiking in the area) before heading to Tucson to send out mail drops and start making official plans to get started. I appreciate the o...

I'm shooting to be on the trail some time in the first week of March, possibly around the 5th-10th depending on how quickly I can get my stuff together and supplies mailed out, as well as snow pack in the higher elevations. I'd be happy to split a ride with someone if they'd like to head out around ...

I don't think any of those are in the sky islands (unless I'm mistaken). Happy Jack does apply to the AZT, but it's highly likely that the vast majority of it will melt off by April. Most of those locations are up on the Mogollon Rim.

I'm either going to do that, or myself. I plan on taking a zero day in Tucson after I get to Oracle to reevaluate options and resupply and send out new mail drops for the next third of the trail. I'll either do it then myself or have someone else do it if I don't have the time to get it organized.

I think he means just downloading a digital version to pull up on his phone. I have the guidebook as a resource, but I also digitized it to do the same thing.

If you're referring to Havasupai, that's pretty far out of the way - a separate trip (but worth it). I'm shooting for two nights at Phantom Ranch to try to and do a day-hike from there before continuing up to the north rim.

I did the first 164 miles last year and I'd consider last year to be a pretty weak winter. Even so, water was very reliable at a lot of the more questionable water spots. I never actually felt like I needed more than 4-5 liters. With the snow they've been getting this season, I'd expect much of the ...

Maybe some others with experience can chime in, but I did a few of the sky islands last year and I'd be surprised if there's that much snow this year, even with the healthy winter they've been getting. You might get a chilly night or two into the 20s, but I wouldn't expect so much snow that you'd ne...

Awesome info! Thanks for the clarifications.