What's the Rationale?

[Highroad]

Hi everyone!

I've just recently joined Hike Arizona as part of my preparation for hiking the Arizona Trail. I am in the earliest phases of research for this adventure. I would love to do it as a thru-hike, but that's just not going to happen. My current plan is to take two weeks in the spring and then another two weeks in the fall, covering 150-200 miles each time until I am done, working northbound.

The conventional wisdom is to begin northbound hikes in the spring and southbound hikes in the fall. I accept that wisdom, but I confess I don't really understand it. Why is beginning a northbound hike in the fall a bad idea? Or southbound in the spring?

I look forward to hearing from you all, and maybe meeting some of you on the trail!

[Sredfield]

Northbound in the Spring--you are following spring as it works north, more water, wildflowers, walking into moderate temps

Southbound in the Fall--following autumn as it moves south, walking into moderate temps

[nonot]

The north side of AZ is mostly on the colorado plateau - higher elevations, snow, a possibility in Dec-Feb.

The southern side of AZ is mostly lowland desert - gets pretty hot April-October

Hence you start low elevation and work to high elevation in spring as it gets warmer. Or you start at high elevation and work to lower elevation as it gets colder in fall.

Water availability in the lower desert is pretty poor during the hot months as well.

[azbackpackr]

Nonot nailed it. Climate in Arizona is largely a function of elevation above sea level, not of latitude.

[Highroad]

Thanks all - makes sense now!