), 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. Arizona Trail: The Arizona Trail is a continuous, 800+ mile diverse and scenic trail across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. In the upper reaches of a high ravine, some of the tallest aspens and Douglas fir imaginable tower overhead. Treeline Review staff are hiking 800-miles across Arizona to test gear. Quick Nav: Jump to Central Passages | Jump to Northern Passages. This is because many branch trails lead away from the main section. The Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages. 6 to 8 weeks to thru-hike. Ultimate Arizona Trail Bikepacking Planning Guide, If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail Again. The Passage Profile refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. Do not rely on any ONE piece of trail information. How Has the AZT Helped You During the Pandemic? This Arizona Trail gear list reflects our current recommended gear and also gear we … That’s not to say the 300 isn’t beautiful. You might notice that my Arizona Trail, Best Passages * are all north of the AZTR 300 finish. Ensure less tree hits with this t-shirt. Plus, Trout Lake, Washington might just be the best small town no one is talking about. 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 San Francisco Peaks is slightly higher at 9,600 ft (2,900 m), but it is on a proposed section of the trail. Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. Because you know someone is going to say it. We want you to have a safe and fun experience exploring the Arizona Trail. I can’t wait to tell you about my rim to rim … 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. 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. It is entirely possible to hike sections of the Arizona Trail. Clicking on a passage name will bring up more detailed information about that specific passage. The northern terminus is near the Arizona-Utah border in the Kaibab Plateau region. It’s best to run an ultralight setup due to the demanding nature of the terrain. He is also one of the world's best-selling artists of … The Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages. 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. Clicking on a passage name will bring up more detailed information about that specific passage. Weird Arizona: Your Travel Guide to Arizona’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets – The title says it all. Flagstaff offers some of the best summer hiking in Arizona due to the high elevation and cooler temperatures. The “Passage Profile” refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. By best, we mean the most enjoyable experience for … 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. This trail system also offers long downhill sections. The trail is dog-friendly and moderately-well marked with signs. 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. The trail is complete and well-signed, however sections may change or be rerouted (due to wildfire, environmental, or administrative decision). For more trail info, the Tucson Sierra Club is probably the best resource: [original link]. Make sure you, your livestock, bicycle, or other equipment is in good shape. The Passage GPS data below are newly digitized datasets representing the Arizona National Scenic Trail. There are no words to describe how stunning this section of trail is, especially during the summer months. The track and waypoints data offered here attempt to provide the best available information. Another section of the trail Dufault recommends is north of Phoenix, off Highway 87. Wishing you a peaceful and safe holiday season…, We have been working with the USFS Globe Ranger Di, #internationalmountainday? 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 trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and backpacking. 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. 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. Section-Hiking the Arizona Trail: A Few Introductory Questions thetrek.co - Abigail Kessler. 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. Thru-hiking is pretty much riding, eating, sleeping then repeating. I had heat stroke and suffered from dehydration during first 300 miles so my opinion of the area is a bit askew. 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 … Even the most experienced riders will enjoy the beauty of the open desert or cooling off on a high mountain trail. 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. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. The Arizona Trail also serves as a backbone for smaller multi-day loops, utilizing parallel roads and trails. 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 list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. The single track section of the course is mostly recommended for advanced riders. 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. It turned out great, but depending on how thorough you want to plan it, I … 5 of the best fall hikes in Arizona: Here's how to explore these less crowded trails. This trail is about 3.6 miles long and fun for hikers of all skill levels. 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. There’s an elevation gain of about 351 feet and great for biking or jogging as well. 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. The passages considered “Central” run from Black Hills (Passage 14) to Highline (Passage 26), near the Mogollon Rim. The passages considered “Northern” run from Blue Ridge (Passage 27) to Buckskin Mountain (Passage 43), on the Utah border. 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. Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. The list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. The best place to park to access this trail is along Oracle Road, where there’s a gravel and dirt parking lot. Then at the end of the loop, the downhill section back to the starting point is fast and smooth. One of the most scenic Flagstaff hikes is the Inner Basin Trail. Even more necessary is some form of tire/tube sealant! These are very good for navigational purposes. Download the Arizona Trail Google Earth KMZ File *Passages are designated sections of trail as determine by the Arizona Trail Association. Though some sections are technical and rugged, others are designed with bikes and bikepackers in mind. Matthew Nelson snapped some shots of the recent re-route work on Passage 25, called the White Rock Mesa section of the Arizona Trail. *This is the second in our series, “Know A Trail Club”. The San Francisco peaks just outside town have many hiking trails winding through them. Plan a trip with friends and family in the winter and avoid the sweltering heat of summer. 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. Below are a 7 of my favorite sections along the PCT, regardless of the distance you are wanting to cover. Check back for the latest versions using the databook change log. 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. 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 “Track” and “Waypoints” refer to downloadable GPS data. My Arizona Trail, Hardest Passages rightly earned their place on my list, but maybe not yours. Lowest Elevation:Gila Riv… Shuttle serviceis recommended as both locations are relatively remote. Highest Elevation:Kaibab Plateau, 9,148 feet. A popular trail near Tucson that is great for beginners is the Sabino Lake Trail. 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. 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. 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. Please use common sense when using the Arizona Trail. The Arizona Trail is a nearly 800 mile non-motorized trail that traverses Arizona from Mexico to Utah. Save this file on your computer and then open it using Google Earth. The trail eventually connects to FR 111, leading to the summit after about a half mile. The views from the top are some of the best in Northern Arizona. Stretching from the Mexico boarder, it travels through deserts, mountain ranges, canyons and a multitude of ecosystems. The Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages, and categorized into Southern, Central, and Northern sections. Hiking here, along the ridges and through the canyons, among the towering stone structures, is unique in Arizona. One of the most iconic sections of the AZT takes you through the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. Keep Moving Forward is always my mantra while on adventures. If you wish to print your own topographic maps you can do one of the following: The Arizona Trail is a work in progress. *Passages are designated sections of trail as determine by the Arizona Trail Association.  They help to make planning, maintaining, and navigating the trail easier. Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the AZTR. Carry a map, compass/GPS or smartphone using the Arizona Trail App (and know how to use them). This Arizona Trail gear list shows the gear we are testing to measure long-term durability. Length:~800 miles. You’ll enjoy the smooth terrain of hard-packed dirt on this trail and minimal uphill sections. Trout Lake, WA to White Pass, WA. 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. In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the AZTR again. 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 Hit the trail and find out for yourself. 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. The trail begins at picturesque Lockett Meadow, a popular campground. The ATA hopes to complete the project April 2021. This trail is part of a 62-mile trail system. Contact the local agency for current weather and trail conditions. In February of 2017, I decided to hike the Arizona Trail (AZT) on a whim. If you wish to print your own topographic maps you can do on… Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. 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 Arizona Trail is full of beauty from it’s start to the end. 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!!!! Start and End Point: Southern terminus is at border monument 102 in Coronado National Memorial near the US–Mexico border. Checkout all our available products in our store, and thanks for the support! 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. 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. Thanks for your support! The Track and Waypoints refer to downloadable GPS data. If you plan to visit this trail, it is best to carry around a map or use your GPS. Even with a fully loaded bike you’ll forget for a short while you’re bikepack racing. 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. The passages considered “Southern” run from the Mexico border (Passage 1) to Oracle (Passage 13), just north of Tucson. 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. The Arizona might be the most diverse bikepacking route around. 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