Advice for a greenhorn

[JohnJames]

Hi, I am a Brit whom loves Arizona mainly from a tourist perspective having been there several times on vacation. I am a seasoned European hiker having lived in Switzerland and hiked all over that magnificent country. As a fairly fit soon to retire 58 year old, I am promising myself a 15 day hike in Arizona as a retirement present despite wifely protests! Can you guys recommend a survivable way of doing this and also recommend the best time of year to do it?

[Al_HikesAZ]

Are you interested in 15 days of actual hiking or would you be okay with 10 days of hiking and 5 days of driving? Are you more interested in desert areas (Tucson, Phoenix and the Supersitions) or mountains, forests and Reservation (Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and the Reservation)? Is photography extremely important or relatively unimportant and secondary to hiking? Your answers will help with an itinerary and with timing. What's the best time of year for you?

[chumley]

To further Al's queries, over the course of 15 days, how many miles per day would you be comfortable with. Since you state that you've hiked all over Switzerland, I'll assume that elevation gain is not an issue for you.

It is important to know if you want to be out on the trail for 15 straight days or would be ok with 3 or 4 trips of 3-4 days each.

Congratulations on retiring (at 58 no less), and for having the tact to successfully circumvent wifely protests. :worthy:

[DBmooner]

i have to say the best time of year to do any hikeing in Az is october the weather is nice enought were you can hike in the desert or up in the mountians

[JohnJames]

@Al_HikesAZ
I am interested in southern Arizona, Tucson area rather than the northern part of the state. Would probably come October time and hike around 10 days of the fifteen. Probably 10 to 15 miles per day. Is pitching a tent overnight feasible, allowable and safe for a lone hiker?

[JohnJames]

@DBmooner
Thank you for this worthwhile advice. I am thinking of southern AZ. Would October be good for this part of the state?