Thru-hikers Information Sources

This page contains links to various sources of information that should be useful to thru-hikers and others interested in doing long stretches of the Arizona Trail.

Note:  Use common sense when using the Arizona Trail. Try to use more than one source of information about the trail. Some sections of the trail are in very remote areas of the state. Carry appropriate equipment and be prepared for unexpected situations. And most important - water in many areas along the trail is uncertain. Plan accordingly.
We want you to have a safe and fun experience exploring the Arizona Trail!
  • Dialogue with Other Arizona Trail Users
  • Books about the Arizona Trail
  • Information by Passage
  • Trail Stewards by Passage
  • Databook by Passage
  • Topo Maps with Trail Information
  • Passage Maps by Passage
  • Mountain Bike Info
  • Water Sources
  • Snow Conditions
  • Lightning Preparedness
  • GPS and Map Data
  • Resupply Points
  • Trail Conditions
  • Permits
  • Shuttles
  • Support Services
  • Journals and Diaries
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    Satellite Tracking

    Now you can follow people who are out on the trail. Go to our tracking page for all the details.

    Some of the above valuable resources are only available to ATA members, so if you wish to become a member and receive access to this information, please join here.

     

    Dialogue With Other Arizona Trail Users

    Planning a hike or just interested in the Arizona Trail? Dialogue with past, present and future AZT users at the Arizona Trail Forum on the Hike Arizona website.

    Interested in seeing who has completed the entire trail? Or maybe you would like to add your name to those who have done this. Check out the "I Finished The Arizona Trail" section on the Arizona Trail blog.

    Books About The Arizona Trail

    Biking The Arizona Trail by Andrea Lankford, 2002.
    A good guide for taking your two wheeled friend on a challenging trip. Available at REI, Summit Hut and many bookstores.

    Crossing Arizona by Chris Townsend, 2002.
    Published by the Countryman Press, Woodstock, Vermont. Veteran hiker and hiking book writer Chris Townsend gives an interesting account of his hike on the Arizona Trail. Available at REI, Summit Hut and many bookstores.

    Along The Arizona Trail by M. John Fayhee and Jerry Sieve, 1998.
    Published by Westcliffe Publishers, Inc, Englewood, Colorado. An interesting coffee table book of John's Arizona Trail trip and wonderful pictures by Jerry Sieve. Out of print but local Phoenix area public libraries may have copies.

    On The Arizona Trail by Kelly Tighe and Susan Moran, 1998.
    Published by Pruett Publishing Co, Boulder, Colorado. This is the only resource that was done by an equestrian. Includes information on how equestrians can access the Mexico Border, trailheads that are accessible by equestrians, etc. It's out of print but most public libraries in the Phoenix area have copies.

    Mountain Bike Information

    Mountain bicyclists enjoy the Arizona Trail and are welcome. But, there are some areas where bikes are not allowed. They are:  Miller Peak Wilderness; Mt. Wrightson Wilderness; Saguaro National Park/Rincon Mt Wilderness; Pusch Ridge Wilderness; Superstition Wilderness; Four Peaks Wilderness; Mazatzal Wilderness; and Grand Canyon National Park.
    For information to assist biking around these areas on alternate routes, please go to bikepacking.net.

    Water Sources

    An excellent source of information about water sources along the trail can be found on ATA member Fred Gaudet's web site. There is current and historic data on his Arizona Trail water source page.

    Snow Conditions

    Some years there can be snow along the trail late into the spring. For current snow conditions on Mt. Lemmon, call this number:  520-576-1400.
    For information on the Mogollon Rim and Flagstaff areas you can go to the USDA's National Resources Conservation Service Snotel site.
    For information on the south and north rims of the Grand Canyon, you can call the park at 928-638-7888 or email them using their contact page.

    Lightning Preparedness

    Lightning can be an issue almost anywhere along the Arizona Trail. The article "Backcountry Lightning Risk Management" by John Gookin of the National Outdoor Leadership School gives a great overview of lightning and how to manage lightning safety in the backcountry.
    It is reproduced on our website with permission from the author. This article may not be reproduced on any other site without direct permission from the author.

    To view or download a copy, please click here.

    GPS And Map Data

    GPS waypoints and GPS map data for the passages are available on the Arizona Trail web site through the passage pages.
    Note:  Beginning and ending points for each passage are available to everyone, but you must be an ATA member to access the complete trail data set.

    Resupply Points

    Information on resupply options for the Arizona Trail can be found in our Resupply Options file.
    The current version of this file:  January 12, 2013

    Additional resupply information can be found on our Gateway Communities page.

    Permits

    Permits are not required on most of the Arizona Trail as long as you are passing through. Camping along the trail, however, does require a permit in certain areas.
    • Most forest service lands allow camping anywhere along the trail.
    • Bureau of Land Manangement also allows open camping.
    • Saguaro National Park and Grand Canyon National Park require a permit and camping is only allowed in specific places.
    • Colossal Cave Mountain Park has a fee and you must stay in the designated campground.
    • A 15 foot wide permanent right of way for the Arizona Trail has been obtained to cross approximately 91 miles of state trust land. That right of way allows users to traverse those AZT sections and to camp within the 15 feet without obtaining a permit. And, though not required, trail users may want to consider purchasing a permit when using the AZT. That permit allows one to lawfully camp and wander outside the 15 foot corridor. Permits can be obtained at the Arizona State Land Department.

    Support Services

    Individuals and companies that provide various trail support and services (generally for a fee). See the following for more information:
    • Camp, shuttle and horse services by Dick & Diane Wertz
       
    • A bunkhouse, showers and horse services can be found inside the Mazatzal Wilderness at the LF Ranch
    These groups are listed as a courtesy only and no endorsement is given or implied by the ATA.

    Journals And Diaries

    From 2000 to 2005 Bob Pekarske section-hiked the Arizona Trail. He kept a journal of his hikes and it can be found on his website.

    Ultralight Adventure Equipment based in Logan, Utah has information about the Arizona Trail on their web site. They have an online journal of a trip taken in 2004 starting on this page.

    Scott Morris and Lee Blackwell rode the trail in 2005. Scott kept a diary of his trip. There is also a journal with photos at this location.

    Tim McCabe has an online journal of his 2006 south-to-north trip by mountain bike. Great photos and a good narrative can be found on his diary page.

    Adam Bradley hiked the entire Arizona Trail in less than 31 days in 2007. His journal of that trip can be found on the trail journals website.

    Dave Baker hiked the Arizona Trail and kept a journal. It can be found on the Summit Hut website.

    Sirena Dufault hiked the entire Arizona Trail to raise awareness for Fibromyalgia. Her online journal can be found on her website: Arizona Trail For Fibromyalgia.

    After 4 years of segment riding the AZT via self-supported bike-packing, Yuri Bahti finished in June of 2009. His trips are documented on the Blogspot site.

    Diane Wertz has ridden a mule on the Arizona Trail. Her blog can be found on the Blogspot site.

    Mike Hayes and his daughter Maureen did the Arizona Trail in sections. He writes for the Arizona Republic and their blog can be found on the Arizona Republic website.

    Brian Tanzman hiked the AZT from north to south, finishing in October 2009. His journal (with lots of useful information) can be found at the Postholer site.

    Bill Leightenheimer section-hiked the trail and finished in October 2009. His blog covers the areas of the trail from Washington Park TH (northeast of Payson) to the Babbitt Ranch, and can be found here.

    Kimberlie hiked the Arizona Trail in the spring of 2010. Information about her trip can be found on her blog.

    M. J. Eberhart (the Nimblewill Nomad) also hiked the trail in the spring of 2010. His journal with photos and videos can be found at his website.

    Chet Anderson (the Gray Ghost) also hiked the trail in 2010. His journal can be found on his blog.

    Ben Mayberry hiked the trail in 2011. His journal can be found on his blog.

    Annie and Desert Nomad completed a thru-hike of the AZT in 2011. Her journal is called 2011 Arizona Trail: The Epic Journey.

    In Progress: Shawn and Tom Garber are hiking the trail from north to south to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. Their blog about the trip is called Hiking For Multiple Sclerosis.

    In Progress: Francoise and Glenn are also hiking the trail north to south and have a blog called Up, Down 'n All Around.

     

    Journals from several other Arizona Trail thru-hikers can be found on the Trail Journals web site.