Number backpacking in one group

[regenerator]

Planning a 10 day NOBO hike in March 2018. Mentioned to a few guys and now have 4 people interested. Any reasons that backpacking with this many in a single group could be problematic ?

[corwinwilkins]

@regenerator
Nope. I max out my groups at 15 due to forest service limitations. That size group will be great.

[sandyfortner]

@regenerator
I'm guessing that you will all start at the Mexico/Arizona border and hike NOBO 10 days. Depending on your pace, you may then get through Passage #9 - Rincon Mountains (at a pace of about 15 miles a day). If you plan on staying at Manning Camp or Grass Shack (the only 2 places within Saguaro National Forest that you can camp), then you'll need permits. So, a group of 10 on the trail is certainly do-able, but you may want to look at your planned mileage and then follow up on the permits. And by the way, the Rincons should be beautiful about then!

[regenerator]

@corwinwilkins Thanks. Very helpful.