hike arizona trail sections 34 -35

[cindyb2742]

I plan to hike the azt sections 34c - 35 sept 20-24 2014. Can anyone help with logistics on the trail. I have checked the maps & plan to put out water in some areas. The map is unclear to me in some areas. has anyone hiked this section recently and have any advice about it?

[Sredfield]

We hiked from Snowbowl to Shultz Pass earlier this summer--great country. Watch for mtn bikers and horses, especially if going on a weekend. The passage from Snowbowl going north is awesome, some fresh forest thinning in the area right now but it will recover quickly. Probably good camping north of Bismark Lake Junction.

Once down lower to FR 418 (a potential cache spot) it is pretty level. You will be in the trees and on and off old roads to FR 514 near Kelly Tank. (Tank is not normally a water source.)

The trail parallels old roads or is on them for many miles, all the way to the north boundary of Babbitt Ranch. All great country, incredible views to the south that not many people get to see. I enjoy the open country up there, huge views!

There is water in the bottoms of the stock tanks on the ranch, but the cows stand it so if you are caching water, leave some on the ranch. You can drive the road thru the ranch, most are just fine but some areas are high clearance and with the recent rains it will be very muddy in spots-to the point of impassable. Plan to be able to turn around if necessary. If you see anyone from the ranch I would ask them before trying to drive thru.

You can drive in to the country on the north end of the ranch off FR 320, then south towards Moqui Stage Station site and further south to the ranch. Lockwood Tank is inside the ranch and has a huge earthen stock tank. But it is a low spot and floods at times to the point that you can't get thru. A map of the Kaibab Forest will help.

Topo maps of the route are available at the ATA website, or on here if you are at all handy downloading and printing them. If not, the ATA topo maps are on a disk or download and can be printed from your computer.

Sorry I can't help with logistics--car tricks are always pain.

[Dschur]

There maybe people there preparing for the Ultra run the following weekend....http://www.aztrail.org/ultrarun/race_info.html You might see stuff getting ready along that route...

[cindyb2742]

Thanks all. We have been out and cached water in various places. The trail on the Babbett ranch is road walk but the road is very nice! Thanks for all replies.