HikeArizona.COM

If you could hike anywhere without restrictions (including restrictions in your lifestyle) where would you hike now?

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Where do you see yourself hiking ten years from now?

OK, Joe, time for this little idea of mine. You know, the Arizona Trail must be a real trial to thru-hike, with all its bio-zones--too hot some places, and snow in others. Up and down, deserts and mountains. And it doesn't pass through enough towns to suit most thru-hikers, making logistics rather difficult.

Instead of spending a summer doing that, how about a long through-hike from Flag to the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico? At first following the AZT, but then NOT dropping off the rim, leaving the AZT and continuing on through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, until round about Big Lake you start angling down over to the Blue Primitive Area. Cross that and on into New Mexico, and the Gila Wilderness. Cross that, and your summer is over, time to go home. You've been in the high country most of the time along this route--no actual desert has been crossed. This hike could be accomplished mostly on trail and cross country (cross country hiking is often not too difficult in the White Mountains), but would require some reconaissance and careful map study. And lots of caches. Doesn't it sound fun, though? There are enough towns along the way so that you could get your pizza/beer/motel/shower/TV fix every week or so.

Anyone who likes this idea and has time to do it, let us know!

azbackpackr wrote: Anyone who likes this idea

I do!

and has time to do it, let us know!

Unfortunately, probably not.

In all serious, it's gotta be the GEC.