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Hiking nobo on the AZT how do you register for a backcountry pass for Saguaro National Park when you are not sure when you will be there?

The AZT passes right through Saguaro National Park and one does need a backcountry permit to camp overnight in the park, right?

How is it done?

@Trew

Does it go through the East unit? If so, you're right: camping is only at designated sites and permits are required. It's been a long time since I got one there. As I remember, I called the park HQ and did it over the phone.

I"d call the park now and see what they suggest, I recall that they are aware of this problem thru-hikers have with getting a permit.

Another option, which NPS does not favor, is to reserve multiple days and or sites, hoping you get there at one of them. Or, if you are a pretty strong hiker, do it in a day; it's 17 miles boundary to boundary. But it is a lot of EG so it's a pretty tough go of it.

I called the park office this morning (2/1/2016).

There appears to be no simple solution for AZT hikers. The Park wants you to pre-register for a campsite for a specific date which is almost impossible for most long distance hikers.

The best solution is to camp before you enter Saguaro NP and then do the 17 miles through the park in one day and just get out of it.

This is probably what Liz and I will hope to do. There is water at Manning Camp CG, but water should not be a problem this year. The Ranger told me this morning there is snow at 7k ft. this morning so streams should have some water in them in March. Liz and I were down to the Border Monument yesterday (Sunday, 1-31-2016) and on the way home we saw water running streams that are usually dry.

The visitor center is too far off the AZT to hike into the VC to register so that is not a good option. If you are one of those people who have an agenda for every day on the trail- you can apply for a backcountry permit in advance. But I am not one of those people. I take what each day gives me on the trail and then call it a day. I am retired. No more daily schedules for me.

We just did it this fall and had no issues. You can call the park via cell phone the night before and they will do it over the phone. Must tell them you are a thru hiker. We originally had reservations for Manning Camp and were ahead of schedule so changed them to grass shack. no issues

Looking at the map I see a possible solution for nobo hikers to get through SNP without a permit. South of SNP turn off the AZT at X9 Ranch Rd and go to the Madrona Ranger Station (abandoned) to the Rincon Creek TH and camp there just outside the park. It looks to me that could shorten the traverse across SNP by 3.6 miles which would make hiking across SNP very doable.

Any comments on this?

@Trew
Illegal to walk into X-9 to get to Madrona. It's private property with a guard house and guard. There used to be a way to skirt the property, off trail, by walking along a fence line off a different road, in order to get to Madrona. I don't recall the exact route. Do not try to go to X-9. They'll have you arrested, from what I hear. A friend of mine has family living there and goes there all the time. I just asked him if it is still like that and he said it is.

azbackpackr wrote:@Trew
Illegal to walk into X-9 to get to Madrona. It's private property with a guard house and guard. There used to be a way to skirt the property, off trail, by walking along a fence line off a different road, in order to get to Madrona. I don't recall the exact route. Do not try to go to X-9. They'll have you arrested, from what I hear. A friend of mine has family living there and goes there all the time. I just asked him if it is still like that and he said it is.

That is important to know. thanks for responding.

So stay on the AZT and the 17 mile traverse. Unless our cell makes a connection.

I just read today on the AZT site under passages that the park allows backpackers to call the day of and if any permits are available, you can purchase one over the phone. Otherwise you have to make reservations in advance. At least that's what I'm counting on since we will be going through there at the end of March and might need to camp in the park.

Good luck.

We made reservations for Manning camp over the phone the day before and then actually changed it to Grass shack the next day over the phone without any problems. We were headed Southbound last fall.