Class of 2014 NOBO

[pops c]

Drought Maps Archives:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/MapsAndDa ... rison.aspx

Under the dropdown menu “Contiguous U.S.” select “Arizona”. Select last years date on the right side to compare maps. See how much better off we are this year; and it’s raining again!

Now, GET ON THE TRAIL!

[FOTG]

@pops c
I have not had chance to look at link, but I swore I read in article from about 2 months ago, that said despite impressions of more rain, we were still behind last year's pace?

Was this article only for the Phoenix, or have the recent rains, brought us past last year's levels since?

[pops c]

@pops c
I have not had chance to look at link,

friendofThundergod-
Have a look at the maps and the statistics listed below them. Not sure about totals but Phx area looks better on paper.

Let’s hope for good Snowfall in the Mts this winter!

[FOTG]

@pops c
I am from midwest, but I do hear that snow-melt is the key...

[blisterfree]

Too soon to say about spring conditions, but word is the Sonoran desert (in places) is experiencing a nice greenup from good fall-winter precipitation so far. Ocotillos and brittlebush are even coming to life, which you don't see this time of year usually.

[pops c]

Sonoran desert (in places) is experiencing a nice greenup

Hi Blisterfree-
Was working AZT on S side of the Rincons this past Sunday; starting at 3600 ft ocotillos were fully leafed out with a carpet of green underneath. Dirt so wet it cuts like “butta”

Pops

P.S. The wallet is perfect! Favorite feature: keeping my plastic in the outside pocket - no need to expose the green stuff inside (vs the zip lock snack bag on AZT great gear upgrade for the AT).

[Jim Raat]

Still looking better than 2012 or 2013, at least, according to the historical data
Planning on starting early april

[pops c]

Still looking better than 2012 or 2013, at least, according to the historical data
Planning on starting early april

Hello Jim-
Fyi, the last month has been brutal here; well above normal temps w/ zero rain. Good news is a little rain yesterday and maybe a little more this week.

If you could bump your start up to 1st or 2nd week in March it could make a huge difference in water availability.

One goal I had in my thru-hike was to cross the Gila by Apr 15th (I crossed the River on the 13th). With the elevation changes across the State, felt like (and I was) hiking in spring the whole time.

Whenever your start - may it go well for you!


Pops c

He’s not working trail he’s just soothing his psyche,

[Jim Raat]

Thanks, Pops C.
Would you recommend that same timeframe as a goal this year, or trying to move it up and try to cross the Gila earlier than the 15th?
Being highly underemployed, we (my wife and I) have the flexibility to start earlier, but were concerned about snow. I've read about the North Rim of the GC holding a lot of snow into April. Any info on snowpack and other points that hold snow late would be very welcome.
ALL info and advice is welcome.

[Pockets]

Hi All!
I'm planning a thru-hike this Spring. I'm sure I'm about to ask a bunch of questions that are probably asked over-and-over again so I apologize for making you repeat yourselves and I thank you for any and all advice.

I'm an experienced backpacker (I did the PCT in 2012) but I've never hiked in Arizona so I would love it if you guys could give me the quick run-down. I'm picturing the AZT as being similar to the Southern CA portion of the PCT- hot, dry, water-scarcity, rattlesnakes, etc. - but I'm sure there's more to it then that. Possible high-elevation snow and rainstorms too, yes? Don't you guys get those crazy monsoons and flash floods? Cannibalistic desert cults??

Start date: I'm thinking of March 1st. Any thoughts?

Shelter: I cowboy-camped for the entire duration of the PCT and used a sil-nylon tarp on the handful of occasions when the weather was bad (2012 was a perfect year for the PCT). How rainy is it in Arizona in March? If there's a chance of bi-weekly rainstorms I may consider bringing an actual tent with walls and stuff although I'd prefer not too.

Scorpions: I love that band. Ha! No, but seriously- my friend who lives in Phoenix makes Arizona sound like some sort of scorpion mecca. She practically has me convinced that should I hike the trail without a "real" tent than they will find my venom-infused corpse being picked clean by the buzzards. My friend is not an outdoors person. Is this a real concern?

Navigation in the desert: I did not bring a GPS for the PCT but did have more than one occasion to need my topo map and compass while navigating through the snow. I've read that the southern portion of the AZT can get confusing due to all the unauthorized trails created by immigrants- are there other portions of the AZT where navigation can get especially tricky? Getting lost in the desert sounds like it would be a real bummer. Which of course leads me to....

Water: It got pretty dry in Southern CA and so I'm no stranger hiking long distances between water sources and I have already found the helpful water updates for the AZT. So what's the low-down on water folks? What's the furthest I can expect to travel between reliable water? Do Trail Angels stock water caches in particularly dry sections as they do on the PCT?

Trail Angels: Do you guys have Trail Angels out there?

Permits: Do some of the permits (such as the Grand Canyon) need to be requested well in advance? Is there limits on how many they give out? Am I already too late?!?

Ride to the trail-head: Anyone live in Phoenix who might be available to give me a ride to the Southern Terminus around March 1st? My fore-mentioned friend is a very busy student and single Mom and probably wouldn't be able to get the time. I'd pay for gas, of course, and would be infinitely grateful to boot. I may need a ride back to Phoenix from the Northern Terminus as well...

[garyc57]

Possible high-elevation snow and rainstorms too, yes?

Starting March 1? Sure - definitely possible. Likely? Nah, but watch the weather report, anyway!

Don't you guys get those crazy monsoons and flash floods?

Not until July or August. Sounds like you'll be done by then. But, a heavy spring rain will still produce flash floods, full washes and creeks. Keep your eyes are ears open during and after heavy rains - even rain storms in the distance.

Cannibalistic desert cults??

Not since we got rid of [insert your favorite HAZ character's name here].

How rainy is it in Arizona in March?

Traditionally, March is a dry month. Emphasis on the word "traditionally".

...they will find my venom-infused corpse being picked clean by the buzzards... Is this a real concern?

I'm an Arizona native, and I would never consider sleeping outside of a tent. But, if you're comfortable doing that, then go for it. I'd be more worried about rattlesnakes (deadly) than scorpions (painful, but just annoying).

more than one occasion to need my topo map and compass

If you're good with a topo and compass, then you probably won't need a GPS. I haven't hike those southern segments (yet!), so I can't speak for those. Anyone else who can, please chime in!

...I have already found the helpful water updates for the AZT.

If you've found the AZT's Databook, then you can see for yourself how far apart the reliable springs, creeks and tanks are. Focus on just the reliable ones.

What's the furthest I can expect to travel between reliable water?

For example, from MP 22.2 (Parker Canyon Lake store) to MP 43.1 (Red Bank Well) - 20.9 miles - there's no reliable water. Either cache your own, or be prepared to carry it.

Do Trail Angels stock water caches in particularly dry sections as they do on the PCT?

Some do, as well as the Segment stewards. But unless you've recently got a confirmation that water's there, don't rely on it. Someone else might have taken it. As I recall, the AZT is in the process of building metal cache boxes near trailheads. As I recall, they recently build one near the start of Segment # 14, Black Hills.

Do you guys have Trail Angels out there?

Oh, yes. Dozens of them. One of them is in the other room, asking me, "What are you typing!?"

Do some of the permits (such as the Grand Canyon) need to be requested well in advance?

The Grand Canyon, yes. Well in advance. Saguaro National Park also requires camping permits.

Is there limits on how many they give out?

The Grand Canyon, Yes. Other, I don't know.

Am I already too late?!?

Maybe. As I recall, if you hike from Rim to Rim in a single day (not recommended by the Park Service) you don't need a permit. If you sleep overnight anywhere in the Park, yes, you need a permit.

Ride to the trail-head

You've asked, that's the hardest part! There's another forum, Shuttle Request and Volunteers,( viewforum.php?f=82 ) where you can ask for a ride. Given the distances you're asking for, the sooner the better.

Caveats and Addendums: I've only hiked 5 segments in the AZT. I am not by any stretch of the imagination an authority on the subject. But, in general, we're a helpful bunch. Keep asking, and we'll keep helping! Good luck, and keep us informed!

[blisterfree]

In an average to dry year, I don't see a compelling reason for starting north from Mexico in April, other than non-hike-related commitments. Start in March, the earlier the better unless there's high probability of a big storm in the long range forecast. Yes, there may be some snowpack north of Mogollon Rim, and particularly on the Kaibab Plateau north of Grand Canyon, as well as dribs and drabs elsewhere, but this all adds up to a few days of your hike at most. Contrast that with the heat, intense sun, and worsening drought that constitute the preponderance of your daily waking ruminations given an April start. Unless you're physically allergic to even the thought of snow, start in March. This year especially. The odds that we actually make up for January's virtually zero state-wide precipitation in the course of the next 7 or 8 weeks, given the unfavorable large-scale weather dynamics this winter, is slim. At some point, you just have to make a decision, preferably based on the best current information available, then prepare for the potential consequences, and ultimately live with them. This year, I would choose the consequences of a March start.

[azbackpackr]

cowboy camping

I love sleeping out of a tent. I always look at forecast before any Grand Canyon backpack to see if I can leave the tent behind. Scorpions have never attacked me, snakes have never gotten down inside my sleeping bag.

I did have a bear sniff me from head to toe one time, but that was in Canada.

Over the past several years I've probably camped without a tent in Grand Canyon about 45 nights.

Southern Arizona is a great place to sleep under the stars, also.

All that being said, if I were hiking the AZT, I'd bring some sort of solo shelter with walls, such as one of those Gossamer Gear or Six Moon SUL tents.

[Sredfield]

Permits: Do some of the permits (such as the Grand Canyon) need to be requested well in advance? Is there limits on how many they give out? Am I already too late?!

Call the back country office at the Grand Canyon and tell them your story. They may be able to accommodate you, but I understand there are procedures to follow.

Similarly for Saguaro National Park, I understand they are trying to be more friendly for long distance hikers.

And if you want to be 100% legitimate, get the $15 permit from the State Land Office. You do not need a permit to hike the AZT where it crosses state land, but you do need one to camp outside of the 15 foot right-of-way.

Happy Trails

[Jim Raat]

Regarding an April versus March start: is the concern about the heat in April, or more into May?
Thanks for all the above info

[big_load]

At lower elevations, even April can be pretty warm.

[blisterfree]

Regarding an April versus March start: is the concern about the heat in April, or more into May?
Thanks for all the above info

The warmest temps are typically encountered between Oracle to Superior and Roosevelt, which is several weeks out from the starting line. May 5 is the unofficial start of summer in the Sonoran desert, and about the average first 100 degree day of the year for Phoenix.

All of April is high spring in the low country. It can be nice, green and flowery, or it can be quite warm, dry and brown. Rain is normally scarce in April, so whatever precip happens to fall between now and then could be all we get until the rainy season in late June or early July. If cumulative precip amounts are minimal, then water sources will become increasingly unreliable and the distances between usable sources will become greater.

[Jim Raat]

@blisterfree
Thanks for the great beta. That clarifies a lot

[pops c]

May I suggest a review of last seasons thread “Class of 2013 North Bound" (if you haven’t already) many of the same questions are discussed there.

viewtopic.php?f=78&t=7081

Having read the AZT sign at the numerous trailheads; north of Blue Ridge I finally photograph one saying “I never want to forget this text”!

“Trail users need to be responsible for their own safety and preparedness. In some cases, route finding skills and the ability to cope with unexpected situations such as weather, natural hazards, venomous creatures and lack of water are essential.”


Plan, plan and plan some more…..

[Pockets]

@garyc57
Great stuff Gary- many thanks Sir!