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.
 

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 #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.

Passage #13 - Oracle

The Oracle State Park has officially re-opened for Saturday’s only. The remote parking lot has re-opened for all days from sunrise to sunset. The section of the AZT that is in the park is open. For more information, see the park's website.

Passage #16 - Gila River Canyons

The eastern most 2.5 miles of this passage is officially closed while the construction continues on the temporary dirt road which is being restored to accommodate a 3 foot tread. This is being worked by heavy construction equipment and the contractor and project manager will not allow any non-construction traffic while they are working. The crew is working Monday through Friday, every week. This is a slow process on very steep hillsides while the out slope is being brought back to match the original back slope grade, along with re-planting of the vegetation that was removed. Unfortunately, the task is taking much longer than originally planned. We expect everything to be completed by mid-April, 2012. During this time, you must find an alternative to get around the construction area. For the latest status contact John Rendall at . Alternative route to the Walnut Canyon artesian well. Continue on paved road from bridge for 1.4 miles to Highway 177 then north for 6.1 miles to Battle Axe Road 0.2 miles beyond mile post 158. Take Battle Axe Road southwest for 1.7 miles, turning right/north 0.1 miles beyond the steel corral. Follow road for 1.9 miles to artesian well.

Passage #19 - Superstition Wilderness

Youth Crews will be working on the trail from Rogers Trough to the Two Bar intersection from late March to mid April, 2012. Near the north end of the passage, Cottonwood Canyon is usually very rocky and the tread often suffers from the effects of flash floods. The canyon corridor was cleared in 2009, but the summer monsoons usually cause damage to the tread as it meanders from one side of the canyon to the other. It is passable by hikers using care; on occasion equestrians pass through, but the Forest Service does not recommend horse or bicycle traffic.

Passage #20 - Four Peaks

The passage corridor has been completely cleared last year and is passable along the entire length of the trail; however, annual rains tend to cause accelerated vegetation growth in the mid sections, especially between Granite Springs and Bear Saddle. Poor tread conditions exist throughout; water conditions will vary throughout the year. It is recommended to have adequate navigation aids and skills before hiking this passage, including a GPS receiver loaded with current track data, along with map and compass. Current information can be found on the passage 20 blog.

Passage #23 - Mazatzal Divide

This passage has suffered greatly from the 2004 Willow Fire; thousands of dead trees have fallen across the trail and several drainage's have been damaged from the ensuing rains. All the dead fall has been cleared by volunteers over the past 3 years, but there still remains the possibility you may encounter a new blow down. This Spring (2012) there will be youth crews working on the north end of the trail and two access trails north of the Barnhardt junction.

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

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.