AZT Carpooling, Shuttles & Rides

[joebartels]

Shuttle information https://aztrail.org/explore/shuttles/

[ space reserved for helpful information ]

[shedde]

Hi!
I am headed from Tucson down to the Coronado Memorial Visitor Center on Nov. 21 - I know it is unlikely other people are going at this time, but if anyone is, please let me know!! These shuttles are really expensive and I would love to share the cost if possible.
Emma

[hepatica]

I will be starting nobo on March 8, 2019. I am going to reserve a shuttle from Tucson to the southern terminus so if anyone is interested in sharing a ride there will be room for 3 more hikers.
Jess

[amberjoy]

Hi! My husband and I will be driving in from Houston on Dec. 18 for a NOBO hike of the first several passages. We hope to hit the trail on Dec. 19 and will need to leave the trail by end of day Dec. 27 and drive back to Houston on Dec. 28 (our family Christmas is on the 29th). We're trying to figure out the logistics of where to park and how to get to the trailhead/back to our car. The cost of a shuttle really does a number on our budget. Any ideas for where best to park (Sierra Vista? Tucson?), how to get a ride to Coronodo NM, and/or how to cheaply reunite with our car? Thank you!

[hikeaz]

@amberjoy
Where do you anticipate being on the 27th (+/-)? I would think that you could locate someone near your finishing point to drive down with you and run your vehicle back to the finishing point. I have had good luck with outdoor/bike/kayak store employees, but as it is the season, maybe a snowbird at an RV park? Or http://homegrownmtb.com/packages/
Steward(s) may have a lead as well.https://aztrail.org/explore/trail-stewards/

[amberjoy]

@hikeaz
Thanks for the tips! We're not actually sure how far we'll make it. We're thinking we'll end up somewhere between Vail and Tucson. We've done desert/mountainous backpacking before, but not pushing for milage (around 8-10 mile days). We've pushed for milage before (20 mile days), but in flat forests. This will be our first time pushing for milage in these conditions, so we're not sure how we'll do. My stretch goal is to make it to Tucson so I can hike through Saguaro East. Saguaro cacti literally make me smile everytime I see them.

[hikeaz]

@amberjoy

May make sense to hike SOBO then. Easier to hitch a ride TO Tucson than down to the southern trailhead.

[amberjoy]

@hikeaz
I think you're right. We've reconsidered and decided to start in Tucson and see how far south we can go.

[TrueNorth84]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are planning on doing a section hike of the AZT starting April 1st. We were planning on doing a small stretch from Pine to Flagstaff and were wondering if anyone knew the most efficient and cheapest way to get from Phoenix airport to Pine?

Cheers,

[hikeaz]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are planning on doing a section hike of the AZT starting April 1st. We were planning on doing a small stretch from Pine to Flagstaff and were wondering if anyone knew the most efficient and cheapest way to get from Phoenix airport to Pine?

Cheers,

You would look under 'Central Arizona' on the AzT website - shuttles. . https://aztrail.org/explore/shuttles/
Or...
Mountain Valley shuttles from Sky Harbor to Payson; from Payson to Pine you can hike/uber/hitch or HIKE. (928) 537-4539
Or..
M & B Sedan – Offers shuttle service to and from trailheads on the Arizona Trail between Oracle and Pine/Strawberry. 877-627-3326
Or...
Stagecoach Express @ (480) 982-8551

It's a wonderful section you are doing; have a fulfilling walk.

[Jim]

Any HAZ member who might be interested in day hiking and setting up a shuttle (with me) to hike sections 36 or 37, sometime in the next 2 months, or so? If this weather continues, it should be very pleasant. For those locations, it might be OK to either camp, or get a hotel in Flagstaff.

[Mountain_Rat]

@Jim_H
Hey Jim. Long time no see! I just stumbled on your entry here while I was signing up for 'AZT In A Day'. If you could arrange your hike for Oct 12th, there will be a ton of people spread over the entire AZT. The association may even have 'angels' out that could help with shuttles. I'm going to be crossing three sections of Catalinas, or I would have considered some arrangement.

[azlaurie]

if you shuttle w a friend... make sure you bring both sets of keys with you. Someone, who will be nameless, thought she was crafty in hiding keys in car #1. Why? First time and well it worked out better this way backtracking. Got caught in huge storm but only short time. Watched from the Mogillon Rim for hours. Lighting show. Either way backpacking rocks.

[Jim]

@Mountain_Rat

Ah, however, though I can't plan that far out, if there are going to be a lot of people out, I don't want to be. Also, I pretty much despite backpacking, so to be clear, I desire to day hike.

[Mountain_Rat]

@Jim_H
Well, I would avoid Oct 12th then, if I were you. I think I'm gonna do the AZT as a thru hike next spring, so I'll be doing a lot of backpacking from here out.
@azlaurie
I would agree that backpacking rocks, but it can sure vacuum up all your free time and money.

[nealbob]

I'm starting a southbound thru hike and I'll be flying into Page on October 5th, which is a saturday, at approximately 4pm. I'm hoping to secure a ride from Page to the northern terminus either that same day which would be ideal, or on Sunday the 6th. I'm happy to pay for gas and buy a meal on the way!

[clpdonahue]

I am headed up with my hiking partner in about two weeks from PHX. We are looking to park our car at the north rim, catch a ride up to the northern terminus and then hike back down passages 43-40 back to the north rim. Anyone out there want to share a shuttle or make a few bucks??? Please reach out if you can help me!
Sincerely,
Chandra Paradis
clpdonahue@gmail.com

[hikeaz]

@clpdonahue
North Rim employees have a facebook page, 'North Rim of the Grand Canyon Employees'; you might try there as well the more visited one, 'Grand Canyon Ridesharing and Transportation - Rim to Rim & More'.
In your shoes, I would offer my car as the shuttle vehicle to grease the skids. Note: Check condition of the House Rock Valley Road from 89A up to the N. terminus prior to your trip.

[clpdonahue]

@hikeaz
Awesome! I am driving up on September 1st and looking for a ride either that evening or late the next morning whatever works for whomever can take me I suppose! I am willing to pay fair value for gas time and trouble. If interested let me know, otherwise I will go look into north rim employees now and see what luck I can find . Appreciate any help thanks for the reply! Be blessed