Arizona Trail Conditions

Users of the Arizona Trail are advised of the following Arizona Trail conditions. Please contact the Arizona Trail Association’s passage stewards listed on the ATA website for the most current information.
 

If you are out on the trail and see a problem that you think we should be aware of, please use our trail conditions report form to let us know about it.

 

Passage #1 - Huachuca Mountains
Passage #2 - Canelo Hills East
Passage #3 - Canelo Hills West

The AZT along the AZ/Mexico border continues to be impacted by illegal border crossers. Many new side trails are being created by the border crossers. And AZT users should avoid mistakenly taking illegal trails intersecting the Arizona Trail, as the illegal trails are often quite distinct. Trail users may meet illegal border crossers and are advised to not hike alone in these areas. Also, overnight users are advised to camp away from the trail as far as possible. In the Huachuca Mountains passage trail users should be alert where the Arizona Trail meets the Oversite Canyon Trail junction and where it meets the Carr Peak Trail junction. Signs may be confusing or down. So until signs are replaced, pay close attention to the correct route.

Passage #8 - Rincon Valley

The crossing at Marsh Station Road has not been completed yet. CAREFULLY cross the highway, step over the guard rail, go under the high trestle and pick up the trail on the other side of the fence. Mountain bikers and equestrians should go around the end of the guard rail.

Passage #9 - Rincon Mountains

Users are reminded that camping permits are required in Saguaro National Park. It is approximately nine miles from the south Park boundary to Grass Shack Campground, 13.8 miles to Manning Camp and 17.7 miles to the north Park boundary, the next camping options northbound. Because of sensitive cultural resources near Hope Camp, strict enforcement of NPS camping regulations is expected. Outstanding camp locations exist along Rincon Creek south of the park boundary. If camping off the AZT right-of-way a State Recreation permit is required. For information on permits, go to the state land website.

Passage #11 - Santa Catalina Mountains

The northern end of this passage is not recommended for equestrians. It is narrow, steep and rocky in places.

Passage #12 - Oracle Ridge

The southern end of this passage (on the Mt Lemmon and Wilderness of Rocks trails) is not recommended for equestrians. It is narrow, steep and rocky in places. The northern end of the ridge has some steep rocky two track motorized traffic sections. This was constructed as a fire break and trail by the Forest Service after the 2005 Oracle Fires.

Passage #13 - Oracle

Oracle State Park is open on Saturdays Only for 3 months in the Spring and 3 months in the Fall. However, the AZ TRAIL REMAINS OPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. The underpass culvert on AZ 77 (MP 105) has been cleaned out by ADOT in May and October, 2012. For more information, see the park's website.

Passage #19 - Superstition Wilderness

North of Walnut Spring the trail descends and quickly ascends 1,000 feet over a horizontal distance of 1.8 miles. Equestrians have had problems in this steep area. Near the north end of this passage, the trail passes through rocky and narrow Cottonwood Canyon for 3 miles, and tends to suffer from the summer monsoon floods. The tread has been repaired numerous times, yet continues to change as it crosses from side to side through the canyon. The trail here is passable by hikers using care; however, equestrians should scout the passage before attempting it with stock.

Passage #20 - Four Peaks

Following years of overgrowth stemming from fires in the late 1990’s, the passage corridor has been completely cleared and is quite passable for hikers along its entire length. Equestrians are advised to scout narrow and exposed spots mid-passage before taking stock over the passage. Note significant and quite impressive trail improvements by youth crews and the Passage Steward between Mills Ridge and Lone Pine Saddle trailhead spring of 2013. Water conditions vary throughout the year. Users are advised to have adequate navigation aids and skills before hiking this Wilderness passage. Current information can be found on the passage 20 blog.

Passage #22 - Saddle Mountain

Much of this passage north of the Cross F connector trail was burned by the 2012 Sunflower Fire. The trail is open and passable but effects of the fire are severe in places. One is reminded that the fire is only the beginning of a lengthy process-erosion, flooding, regrowth, etc. continue long after the flames. The access roads to Mormon Grove and Mt Peeley trailheads are closed until April 30, 2013. Trail rehab work is underway spring 2013 between the Cross F connector trail and the Mormon Grove access trail, watch for impressive switch back construction by American Conservation Experience youth crews. For the latest information, contact the Tonto National Forest at 480-610-3300.

Passage #23 - Mazatzal Divide

The southern end of this passage was impacted by the Sunflower Fire. The trail is open but many of the roads in the area are closed until further notice. For the latest information, contact the Tonto National Forest at 928-610-3300. This passage has suffered greatly for the past few years from downed trees from the 2004 Willow Fire. Fortunately, with the undivided attention of two volunteers, the trail has once again returned to a good trail for hikers; however, equestrians will likely have a problem at several locations due to severe water ‘blow out’ damage.

Passage #27 - Highline

The Highline Trail is prone to lighting storms every year and has suffered from fires and consequential monsoon damage over the past 10 years. This has caused severe drainage 'blow-outs' and a major slide west of Bray Creek. Additionally, there is a considerable amount of deep tread erosion across the passage. The dangerous East Bray Creek crossing has recently been rerouted resulting in a major improvement, especially for equestrians. Currently the ATA, VOAZ, and USFS are completing a total assessment for the passage; most likely resulting in a significant amount of realignments over the next few years.

Passage #30 - Mormon Lake

The forest service is conducting thinning operations near Mormon Lake Lodge and a section of the AZT is temporarily closed to all trail users. To see a map of the closure area and an alternative route around it, go here.

Passage #32 - Mt Elden

The equestrian bypass around Flagstaff (AZT-32b) has been re-opened between Highway 89 and Schultz Pass. This segment passes through the Schultz Fire burn area. Please see the Coconino National Forest website for the most current information on conditions in the burn area.

Passage #37 - Grand Canyon - South Rim

Because of the Grand fire, officials advise the public to avoid the fire area around Grandview Lookout Tower. Hazards include burned trees that may fall across forest roads and smoke on local roadways, impairing visibility. As a safety precaution, Arizona Trail users need to be prepared to detour off the trail between Forest Road 303 at Watson Tank and the junction of Forest Roads 301 and 310 near Lockett Lake. The Tusayan Bike trail (which the AZT follows) ends 0.3 miles north of Tusayan. From that point the AZT is signed across the old Moqui Lodge area, about 0.5 miles to a new gate in the GCNP boundary fence. From the gate the route is signed all the way to the South Kaibab Trailhead.

Passage #39 - Grand Canyon - North Rim
Passage #40 - Kaibab Plateau South
Passage #41 - Kaibab Plateau Central

The Arizona Department of Transportation reports they will plow Highway 67 beginning at the end of March. Parts of the road have melted but the drifts over the road at the meadows were very large — possibly 15 or more feet high according to the North Rim Ranger. Only Jacob Lake is open as of mid-March. The other commercial operations on the North Rim expect to open May 15.