Do not rely on any ONE piece of trail information. Section-Hiking the Arizona Trail: A Few Introductory Questions thetrek.co - Abigail Kessler. The passages considered “Southern” run from the Mexico border (Passage 1) to Oracle (Passage 13), just north of Tucson. The Passage Profile refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. If you wish to print your own topographic maps you can do on… The trail is dog-friendly and moderately-well marked with signs. If you wish to print your own topographic maps you can do one of the following: The Arizona Trail is a work in progress. I completed a milestone on the Arizona Trail, essentially riding all the bike legal portions of the trail from Mexico to Utah.I thought it would be cool to put together a comprehensive post on all the passages my tires have rolled on. The long trail is neatly divided into Passages, so you can easily pick and choose which one(s) you’d like to conquer.Passage 28 covers some of the state’s most scenic territory, from creeks to canyons and historical sites. These are very good for navigational purposes. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. The trail is complete and well-signed, however sections may change or be rerouted (due to wildfire, environmental, or administrative decision). A popular trail near Tucson that is great for beginners is the Sabino Lake Trail. You might notice that my Arizona Trail, Best Passages * are all north of the AZTR 300 finish. The passages considered “Northern” run from Blue Ridge (Passage 27) to Buckskin Mountain (Passage 43), on the Utah border. In February of 2017, I decided to hike the Arizona Trail (AZT) on a whim. You’ll enjoy the smooth terrain of hard-packed dirt on this trail and minimal uphill sections. Thanks for your support! The Track and Waypoints refer to downloadable GPS data. According to the RIAA, he is the best-selling solo albums artist in the United States with 148 million domestic units sold, ahead of Elvis Presley, and is second only to The Beatles in total album sales overall. Even the most experienced riders will enjoy the beauty of the open desert or cooling off on a high mountain trail. Both Regional and passage-specific Trail Stewards can be found on our Stewards page. Flagstaff offers some of the best summer hiking in Arizona due to the high elevation and cooler temperatures. Highest Elevation:Kaibab Plateau, 9,148 feet. Ensure less tree hits with this t-shirt. *Passages are designated sections of trail as determine by the Arizona Trail Association.  They help to make planning, maintaining, and navigating the trail easier. The San Francisco peaks just outside town have many hiking trails winding through them. Ask them which section of the Arizona Trail, the segments wending their way through Flagstaff and environs, is the best. You’ll find a long exposed, sandy and rocky 20 miles of  dirt roads and double track.  But towards the end you’ll find amazing single track of the Gold Canyon area with jumps, berms, dips, hips, and great flow.  The AZT only scratches the surface of the Gold Canyon area, so if you have the chance take some time and explore. That’s not to say the 300 isn’t beautiful.  I had heat stroke and suffered from dehydration during first 300 miles so my opinion of the area is a bit askew.  With that said most people regard the first 300 miles to be the hardest of the whole trail. The best place to park to access this trail is along Oracle Road, where there’s a gravel and dirt parking lot. The Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages. The list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. How Has the AZT Helped You During the Pandemic? This trail is about 3.6 miles long and fun for hikers of all skill levels. The Arizona Trail is full of beauty from it’s start to the end.  You might notice that my Arizona Trail, Best Passages * are all north of the AZTR 300 finish. The San Francisco Peaks is slightly higher at 9,600 ft (2,900 m), but it is on a proposed section of the trail. Learn Trail Maintenance Skills Through New Videos Online, Perceptions of Conflict Surrounding E-Bikes on the Arizona Trail, Show Your Love for the AZT with Silver Jewelry Handmade in Flagstaff. The Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages. The trail is an 803 mile trail running North and South from the borders of Mexico to Utah. The Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages, and categorized into Southern, Central, and Northern sections. The most popular trail is Echo Canyon Trail, a 3.5-mile loop trail with an elevation gain of 454 feet, which takes you through the heart of some of the most scenic landscape. Hiking here, along the ridges and through the canyons, among the towering stone structures, is unique in Arizona. * The Arizona Trail Association is the caretaker of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, an 800-mile trail that traverses the length of Arizona south to north from the Mexico border to the Utah border.This 21-year-old nonprofit organization has built and continues to maintain the national treasure that is the Arizona Trail. I gave myself not even two weeks to prepare for this trip. Because you know someone is going to say it. The Arizona Trail is full of beauty from it’s start to the end. This is because many branch trails lead away from the main section. This Arizona Trail gear list reflects our current recommended gear and also gear we … Section-Hiking the Arizona Trail: A Few Introductory Questions One of the most iconic sections of the AZT takes you through the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. The Arizona Trail also serves as a backbone for smaller multi-day loops, utilizing parallel roads and trails. Keep Moving Forward is always my mantra while on adventures. Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the AZTR. *This is the second in our series, “Know A Trail Club”. Another section of the trail Dufault recommends is north of Phoenix, off Highway 87. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. Download the Arizona Trail Google Earth KMZ File They have been exported from GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software and reduced in detail to enable each passage to be loaded onto any GPS, no matter the memory size. Whether you're looking to go Jeeping in Sedona or take the ATVs to a remote lake, find the best Arizona off-road trails using onX Offroad. Final Thoughts on the Best Hikes in Arizona There you have it, our top 10 hikes in Arizona – hopefully we were able to help the planning of your trip or give you some inspiration to grab your backpack and head out on another adventure. https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-19.jpg, http://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1of7-logo-lockup-grey-1132x212-300x56.png, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020_aztr300_ds_nb_15_web.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-16-1.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/philipinrepose-oneofsevenproject.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/craigfowler-grandcanyon-oneofsevenproject.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/azt-grandcanyon-trail.jpg. Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. Once you have this software installed, or if you already have it, click on the link below to download the Google Earth/Arizona Trail data file. Then at the end of the loop, the downhill section back to the starting point is fast and smooth. Going into Flagstaff you’re treated with incredible riding but going out isn’t too shabby.  Passage 33 earns it’s place on my Best Passages of the Arizona Trail list for a small section near Schultz Pass Road.   You descend down a set of long flowing switchbacks to the start of Passage 34. Arizona Trail is the official navigation app for the Arizona National Scenic Trail, built through a collaboration of the Arizona Trail Association and the creators of Guthook's Guides hiking guide apps. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and backpacking. Though some sections are technical and rugged, others are designed with bikes and bikepackers in mind. Quick Nav: Jump to Central Passages | Jump to Northern Passages. There are no words to describe how stunning this section of trail is, especially during the summer months. Explore all 43 passages, including length, maps, profiles, tracks, and waypoints on the Passages page.Or, click on each map to jump to the overall passage page, or the three regions of the Arizona Trail and there is a link to the NEW Arizona Trail Story Map. The track and waypoints data offered here attempt to provide the best available information. Length:~800 miles. This trail is part of a 62-mile trail system. The trail eventually connects to FR 111, leading to the summit after about a half mile. … In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the AZTR again. It quite possibly could be that I was less than 30 miles from the finish but Passages 42 & 43 were amazing.  Besides a few canyons to climb out of, these passage are mostly downhill.  They descend with great flow and one can really fly.  Of course there are a bunch of gates to slow you down but they do give you a chance to take in the surrounding forest a last few times. “Park off the highway at Bushnell Tanks, in Sunflower, and take the road to a short connector trail to get on the AZT heading south in Sycamore Canyon,” she says. One of the most iconic sections of the AZT takes you through the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. 5 of the best fall hikes in Arizona: Here's how to explore these less crowded trails. *Passages are designated sections of trail as determine by the Arizona Trail Association. Stretching from the Mexico boarder, it travels through deserts, mountain ranges, canyons and a multitude of ecosystems. From backpacking in the Alaskan wilderness to thru-hiking the Arizona Trail and with hundreds of other trails in-between, I have seen an abundance of wildlife and gained great campfire stories [...] shelly 2017-12-13T16:11:16-04:00 This Arizona Trail gear list shows the gear we are testing to measure long-term durability. Even more necessary is some form of tire/tube sealant! ), hiking through the Grand Canyon, the surprising amount of mountain views, witnessing the spring bloom of the desert wild flowers, and meeting many friendly and welcoming Arizonans along the trail. Plus, Trout Lake, Washington might just be the best small town no one is talking about. Ultimate Arizona Trail Bikepacking Planning Guide, If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail Again. One of the most scenic Flagstaff hikes is the Inner Basin Trail. Passage 28 is one of the most popular sections of trail and offers lush scenery, historic sites, and plenty of private camp spots. Carry a map, compass/GPS or smartphone using the Arizona Trail App (and know how to use them). Shuttle serviceis recommended as both locations are relatively remote. Save this file on your computer and then open it using Google Earth. FIND OUT WHERE THE MUST RIDE AREAS ON THE AZT ARE. Arizona Trail: Sunflower to Mazatzal Divide Trail [CLOSED] is a 14.9 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Rio Verde, Arizona that features a river and is rated as moderate. Start and End Point: Southern terminus is at border monument 102 in Coronado National Memorial near the US–Mexico border. Below are a 7 of my favorite sections along the PCT, regardless of the distance you are wanting to cover. For more trail info, the Tucson Sierra Club is probably the best resource: [original link]. This can be viewed in Google map Apps and imported into any map within the Avenza Maps App. I had heat stroke and suffered from dehydration during first 300 miles so my opinion of the area is a bit askew. The “Track” and “Waypoints” refer to downloadable GPS data. This trail system also offers long downhill sections. The “Passage Profile” refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. The AZT is a multi-use trail, open to mountain bikers everywhere outside of Wilderness, with many sections being designed and built to high standard. Make sure you, your livestock, bicycle, or other equipment is in good shape. Please use common sense when using the Arizona Trail. Check back for the latest versions using the databook change log. As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. Hit the trail and find out for yourself. The Passage GPS data below are newly digitized datasets representing the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Contact the local agency for current weather and trail conditions. Wishing you a peaceful and safe holiday season…, We have been working with the USFS Globe Ranger Di, #internationalmountainday? It’s best to run an ultralight setup due to the demanding nature of the terrain. The highlights of the trail for us were hiking the trail with Qball, benefiting from all the generosity of our friends and trail angels (Purple and Carnivore – Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!! Trout Lake, WA to White Pass, WA. Don’t make the mistake I did in thinking it’s only 20 miles from Queen’s Valley and Apache Junction and would be easy. 9 is a blast to ride. If you asked me right after I finished my ITT (Individual Time Trail) I would have told you none of it was enjoyable.  The AZT is a very difficult trail.  At times it can be hard to take it in and appreciate it in the moment (See my Hardest Passages post).  After some time off the trail and time to reflect I realized there were some amazing pieces of trail between the Mexican border and Utah. Before you scream at the screen thinking, “IS THIS GUY CRAZY!”, I only mean the last section of this Passage.  The descent off the ridge on Tr. After navigating what seems like endless lava rock in exposed fields on Anderson Mesa you enter Passage 31 and the shade of tall pines.  The single track through this passage is grand (in either direction).  Once you make the descent to Fisher Point the trail is a sandy ribbon in a sea of grass surrounded by painted canyon walls.  It’s hard to believe Flagstaff is just a few miles away.  An urban paradise for sure.  This section truly earns it’s place on my Best Passages of the Arizona Trail. Checkout all our available products in our store, and thanks for the support! 1. The ATA hopes to complete the project April 2021. The Arizona Trail is a nearly 800 mile non-motorized trail that traverses Arizona from Mexico to Utah. The single track section of the course is mostly recommended for advanced riders. My Arizona Trail, Hardest Passages rightly earned their place on my list, but maybe not yours. The Arizona Trail app is a GPS- and map-based guide for your Arizona Trail hiking, equestrian, or mountain biking trip. The list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. The passages considered “Central” run from Black Hills (Passage 14) to Highline (Passage 26), near the Mogollon Rim. There’s an elevation gain of about 351 feet and great for biking or jogging as well. Yep, we’ve got plenty, Shop the #arizonatrail store for your holiday gift, LAST CHANCE! Lowest Elevation:Gila Riv… Matthew Nelson snapped some shots of the recent re-route work on Passage 25, called the White Rock Mesa section of the Arizona Trail. Any trail that was remotely flat and rideable would get praise if it followed Passage 26 and the Mogollon Rim.  With that said the Blue Ridge passage is a beautiful section of trail.  I even rode close to 3/4’s of it at night, but regardless of the time of day it rides so well.  It’s definitely an island paradise sandwiched between the Happy Jack and Mogollon Rim areas. Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. Treeline Review staff are hiking 800-miles across Arizona to test gear. Clicking on a passage name will bring up more detailed information about that specific passage. If you plan to visit this trail, it is best to carry around a map or use your GPS. Support the #arizonatrail and get you, Download the Arizona Trail Google Earth KMZ File, Passage Information Page: Huachuca Mountains, Passage Information Page: Canelo Hills East, Passage Information Page: Canelo Hills West, Passage Information Page: Santa Rita Mountains, Passage Information Page: Rincon Mountains, Passage Information Page: Santa Catalina Mountains, Passage Information Page: Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bypass, Passage Information Page: Tortilla Mountains, Passage Information Page: Gila River Canyons, Passage Information Page: Superstition Wilderness, Passage Information Page: Saddle Mountain, Passage Information Page: Mazatzal Divide, Passage Information Page: San Francisco Peaks, Passage Information Page: Grand Canyon – South Rim, Passage Information Page: Grand Canyon – Inner Gorge, Passage Information Page: Grand Canyon – North Rim, Passage Information Page: Kaibab Plateau South, Passage Information Page: Kaibab Plateau Central, Passage Information Page: Kaibab Plateau North, Passage Information Page: Buckskin Mountain, Oracle Ridge Passage Reopens Following Bighorn Fire Assessment. I can’t wait to tell you about my rim to rim … Along with the brutality there is plenty of beauty, see my Best Passages for those. You can download a file containing all of the current Arizona Trail GPS data in a format that is displayable on Google Earth. Clicking on a passage name will bring up more detailed information about that specific passage. Even with a fully loaded bike you’ll forget for a short while you’re bikepack racing. Arizona Trail: The Arizona Trail is a continuous, 800+ mile diverse and scenic trail across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. The views from the top are some of the best in Northern Arizona. Use the Track files in the table below and your own mapping software to print out maps. It turned out great, but depending on how thorough you want to plan it, I … In the upper reaches of a high ravine, some of the tallest aspens and Douglas fir imaginable tower overhead. The Arizona Trail (AZT) is a rugged, challenging 800+ mile thru-hike that stretches from the border of Mexico to the border of Utah, and is riddled with challenges such as extreme heat, freezing temperatures, snow, blowing sand, lack of water, consistent elevation … We want you to have a safe and fun experience exploring the Arizona Trail. By best, we mean the most enjoyable experience for … Plan a trip with friends and family in the winter and avoid the sweltering heat of summer. A detailed look at what I used on my AZTR (ITT), what worked and what didn’t. The Arizona might be the most diverse bikepacking route around. If you are not familiar with Google Earth, you can go to the Google Earth download page to learn about it and download the FREE software. That’s not to say the 300 isn’t beautiful. Thru-hiking is pretty much riding, eating, sleeping then repeating. The trail begins at picturesque Lockett Meadow, a popular campground. Weird Arizona: Your Travel Guide to Arizona’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets – The title says it all. I would say the last few miles of Passage 16 could be included in this list.  From the single track to the views you can’t beat the last miles of the AZTR 300. This 16.1 mile (each way) trek is a summertime favorite for hikers and boasts both popular campgrounds and more isolated camping spots for those who prefer seclusion. 6 to 8 weeks to thru-hike. ESRI formatted GIS (Geographic Information Systems) online feature services  (always have the up-to-date version) are shared via Arizona’s GIS Clearinghouse within the Arizona Trail Association’s Group, now called the. It is entirely possible to hike sections of the Arizona Trail. The northern terminus is near the Arizona-Utah border in the Kaibab Plateau region. The Arizona Trail is full of beauty from it’s start to the end. 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