HikeArizona.COM

I tried searching both this forum and also Google and I didn't see a clear answer to whether or not bear canisters are required anywhere in Arizona. My wife and I will be hiking the Arizona trail in March and I'm trying to get our gear list locked down. I'm not asking if it's recommended, but if it's required. Thanks!

as far as I know there are no requirements in AZ...

dysfunction wrote:as far as I know there are no requirements in AZ...

not true. hammocks are a requirement. just ask bfulton. and me.

Sorry, I should have specified 'bear canister'

The first requirement is that you have to have a bear.

Actually we have more problems with the Arizona State mammal, the ringtail cat then we do with bears. Some are so smart that instead of just ripping your pack apart to get to your food they have learned to unzip the zippers. Very pesky creatures that come out at night when your asleep to raid your camp and food supplies. But we love them and occasionally get some pictures of them as they attack our campsites and packs.

There are no bear canister requirements while backpacking in Arizona. In fact, I am unaware of any developed campgrounds that even require the use of a bear-box for food storage. Though there are some campgrounds on the Coronado NF that have bear-proof trash containers.

But to be sure, you won't be "required" to carry a canister on your trip.

SuperstitionGuy wrote:The first requirement is that you have to have a bear.

I gave up trying to arm them. Talk about a pain.

SuperstitionGuy wrote:pesky creatures that come out at night when your asleep to raid your camp and food supplies. But we love them and occasionally get some pictures of them as they attack our campsites and packs.

http://www.hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=55900
http://www.hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=62054

Manning Camp has bear boxes. That is the only campsite where I have found them. A requirment, however, is unknown to me. I think @ Manning they just dont want to create nuisance bears.

There are bear boxes down at Douglas Springs (I think at grass shack as well) too, also at most of the car camping areas in the catalina's.. and they do ask that you use them.. They're also convenient to cook on ;) but there is no canister requirement I've ever heard of. I have an ursack.. simply because it's also convenient.

You will be required to use them if you camp in Saguaro NP during the trip through there. The same may go for other NPs with improved backcountry camping. You also need an overnight camping permit...just FYI. AFAIK the Forest Service couldn't care less as long as you aren't feeding bears on their land...

te-wa wrote:Manning Camp has bear boxes.

dysfunction wrote:here are bear boxes down at Douglas Springs (I think at grass shack as well) too

And Juniper Basin.

big_load wrote:

te-wa wrote:Manning Camp has bear boxes.

dysfunction wrote:here are bear boxes down at Douglas Springs (I think at grass shack as well) too

And Juniper Basin.

AZT passes Juniper right now but it won't pretty soon which is a shame if you asked me; Saguaro is starting to build the connector from Hope Camp.

Jeff MacE wrote:AZT passes Juniper right now but it won't pretty soon which is a shame if you asked me; Saguaro is starting to build the connector from Hope Camp.

I want to set the record for most miles of AZT hiked without realizing it. It's getting harder now that more of it is signed.

AZT passes Juniper right now but it won't pretty soon which is a shame if you asked me; Saguaro is starting to build the connector from Hope Camp.

My trail crew that I volunteer with was supposed to start work on the new trail in Saguaro today, but we got postponed There has been good progress on the connector trail by the SNP crews- I'm dying to see it!

There are currently four ways to get through the Rincons on the Arizona Trail: the old alignment on the Miller Creek Trail, the interim route that requires thru-hikers to make their way to SNP and go up Tanque Verde Ridge, the guidebook alignment through Madrona, which is a bushwhack that has access issues because of the X-9 Ranch, and the alignment they are actually building now.

sirena wrote:

AZT passes Juniper right now but it won't pretty soon which is a shame if you asked me; Saguaro is starting to build the connector from Hope Camp.

My trail crew that I volunteer with was supposed to start work on the new trail in Saguaro today, but we got postponed There has been good progress on the connector trail by the SNP crews- I'm dying to see it!

There are currently four ways to get through the Rincons on the Arizona Trail: the old alignment on the Miller Creek Trail, the interim route that requires thru-hikers to make their way to SNP and go up Tanque Verde Ridge, the guidebook alignment through Madrona, which is a bushwhack that has access issues because of the X-9 Ranch, and the alignment they are actually building now.

If anyone is interested in going from hope camp to Manning in the interim, look up my old Madrona RS writeup. I left a GPS route with the correct way to go to avoid private and restricted NPS land and eventually connect with the old two-track that will become part of the new connector trail. I think they are going to name it the 'Quilter' trail, BTW...

Jeff MacE wrote:You will be required to use them if you camp in Saguaro NP during the trip through there.

Just to clarify, SNP said... the only place you can camp is in designated campgrounds and the containers are provided.

sirena wrote:My trail crew that I volunteer with was supposed to start work on the new trail in Saguaro today, but we got postponed

I think you need to con a few of these HikeAZers to get on that volunteer wagon. Maybe we could even get some ABCers, too. Of course, I have more ideas than time, as always, but I can help coordinate...

I need to scan my picture of the bear box at Juniper Basin. A bear must have learned that if people don't latch the door properly, it can be opened with a hefty bash. There is a deeply dented paw print in the steel plate, with the claws dented deeper still. I wonder if that door is still there. I don't like camping in those sites because the bears definitely associate people with food and there seem to be more of them in camp than elsewhere.

big_load wrote:I need to scan my picture of the bear box at Juniper Basin. A bear must have learned that if people don't latch the door properly, it can be opened with a hefty bash. There is a deeply dented paw print in the steel plate, with the claws dented deeper still. I wonder if that door is still there. I don't like camping in those sites because the bears definitely associate people with food and there seem to be more of them in camp than elsewhere.

Which site number? I think they have replaced it since that went down. If they are over-stuffed or not closed all the way they will open freely...