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So I finally got some time to hike a portion of the trail and chose to do Pine to Flagstaff. Are there any particular tips for this portion of the trail? I've done a bit of the Highline but how is water in this stretch? I'm planning on doing it in July. Also... How long would this take for someone who is relatively new to backpacking?

These are my favorite sections of the AZT so far. I recommend a trekking umbrella as the burned out sections of Section 26, as well as a lot of 29 and 30 are completely exposed, and even though you are in the cooler climate, the sun will bake you at that elevation. Be bear aware through section 26 - they love the creeks running through there.

The amount of time it takes all depends on you - how fast you hike, how many miles you want to do in a day. I'm not sure if by Flagstaff you mean the end of 31, the end of 32 or end of 33. It's 129 miles to the end of Section 32. Divide that by the amount of miles you want to do in a day. The AEG for these sections is manageable - the biggest one is section 26 and the climb up to forest road 300.

Check the water reports at http://www.aztrail.org/watersources.php. 26, 27 and 29 have reliable sources, the others, not so much.

Good luck and have fun!!

i did marshall lake to pine. water was flowing at double springs, navajo spring (qt per min) and i filled up at Maxie tank. along the trail, more water at bargaman park, and after that, it was rough. i opted to avoid the climb over the mesa just east of gonzales tank (looked like it was pointless) and opted to stay on fr 93A. water was scarce for a while near gonzales tank. which of course, is a cattle ranch and the tank was severely fouled. you best have a stock pile of water from this point forward. from bargaman tank, i did not see any water even in jacks canyon was dry, so you'll get some in hay meadow tank if it isnt fouled by elk. fortunately, blue ridge campground has a reliable spigot. from here on out, water is great. you'll probably find it in e. clear creek, then again at general springs canyon and cabin area, bray creek, and pine spring. that being said, some of the stretches between (good) water sources can be up to 25 miles.. pack 6-8 quarts as you go.

I'm thinking of probably finishing off IN Flagstaff, so Midway on 32? What size reservoir do you think one could haul along before it becomes counter productive (weight wise)? In the end I have someone in Flagstaff that could pick me up on almost any stretch on the trail so I'm not too worried but still would like to prep well!!

There was good water at Kenneth and Sheepherder tanks, and brown water at Wild Horse tanks two weeks ago.

Would carrying a 3L water bladder, a 2L water bladder and a 1L bottle be enough for the stretches with iffy water? I'm planning on keeping the 3L empty until needed but still open to suggestions!

@SaysIvan
IMO, a 3L water bladder empty won't do you any good at all, especially if the water situation is "iffy"...Fill it up, but carry as much as you feel comfortable carrying, tho I'd recommend a minimum of 3L. ;-)

in response to your last question: i do not know your pace, or your tenacity. i will tell you what i did, as a veteran backpacker who can push myself when im hiking alone...
(remember, this is going from marshall lake to pine, southbound)
first day, started at the observatory at 10:30 am.
hiked ~24.4 miles to camp at navajo spring.
day 2, i hiked 29 miles and camped on top of the hill (not on the azt) near turkey mountain.
day 3, hiking was 25.5 mles, to general crook cabin.
last day i leisurely walked the rim road, again, not on the official trail, to the beeline. took that hiway south to pine t/h and dropped in canyon. walked to THAT brewery for a well-deserved treat. however, along the rim road, i saw Amy and Juan Jaimee and bummed a ride for 4 miles.. so last day was 17.
24.4 + 29 + 25.5 + 17 = 96 miles.
96 miles in 3.5 days. much of these sections is or was road walking. i took some "off trail" roads to see certain historic areas that the trail misses. not shortcuts by any means, but the pace was likely faster this method.
HYOH!
i did this hike in July (8th) of 2012

te_wa wrote:96 miles in 3.5 days.

Man, that's a brutal 3.5 days. Road walking speeds it up, but not enough that I'd aim that high.