known springs, natural tanks, water pockets, and streams along the hike. I use the term “seasonal” to refer to creeks and springs that may have water only during the cool season and after wet weather. Very few water sources can be considered permanent.
Warning: Never depend on any single water source, and always have an alternate route, or even retreat, in mind if water sources are unexpectedly dry. All backcountry water should be purified before use, by chemical treatment, a water filter, or by boiling.
Permits
Permits are required for some of the hikes in this book, and in certain areas only a limited number of backpackers are allowed. The permit requirements at the time of writing are described, but since the permit situation is changing rapidly on Arizona public lands, you should contact the land management agency before your trip for the latest information.
Rules
As land managers deal with increasing impact on the backcountry, they are often forced to impose special rules on hikers, such as campfire restrictions and group size limits. These rules are listed here, but do not include common backcountry rules such as the requirement to leave no trace, keep pets quiet and under control, and pack out everything you brought in.
Contact
This is the telephone number for the local land management agency that is responsible for the area of the hike. I also list a web site if a useful one is available. It’s a good idea to call ahead and check on road and trail conditions, as well as permits and special requirements.
Highlights
This paragraph focuses on outstanding features such as the opportunity to see wildlife, exceptional views, narrow canyons, and other appealing attributes.
Problems
Unusual difficulties such as lack of water, poorly maintained trails, rough access roads, crowds, and other potential problems are listed here. Please remember that it’s impossible for a book to list all the problems you may encounter in remote country.
How to Get There
This section describes the best access route from the nearest sizable town. Alternate routes are listed where appropriate, as is the route to the end of the hike if a shuttle is required. With a few exceptions, you’ll need a vehicle to get to these backpack trips. While you can reach some trailheads on paved roads, most require travel on dirt roads that can be traversed by a normal vehicle. Some approaches do require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Because some trailheads are very remote, it’s a good idea to carry extra water, food, and a change of clothes in your vehicle.
Description and Tips and Warnings
The detailed description includes clear navigation directions using natural landmarks and trail signs. Directions are given as left and right, and are backed up with the compass direction in parentheses. Although mileages between trail junctions are provided, the emphasis is placed on natural landmarks since mileage is difficult to measure in the backcountry and trail signs may be damaged or missing. Cross-country routes are described entirely by landmarks. Tips and Warnings are based on the author’s experience and are embedded in the text to call your attention to things that may make your trip safer and more enjoyable.
Possible Itinerary
A suggested plan for the primary trip is listed after the description, based on the author’s experience on the route. This may or may not include side trips. Side trips are clearly labeled as such. Treat itinerary as a starting point for your own trip planning, remembering that such things as water availability, trail conditions, and the fitness and experience level of the group will affect your final itinerary.
Optional Side Hikes, Shortcuts, and Alternate Routes
These are mentioned by name in the main description of each hike. An optional side hike offers you the chance to explore a feature, trail, or route off the main hike. These are usually done as out-and-back dayhikes. A shortcut is an optional route that shortens the length of the overall trip. An alternate route is an optional trail or route that is the same length or longer than the main trip.
Conquistador Aisle from The Esplanade, Grand Canyon National Park
General Tips on Backpacking in Arizona
WATER AND HEAT
Arizona is a desert state. The low deserts of the south and west sections of the state are dangerously hot in the summer. In this region, daily temperatures top 100˚F from May through mid September, and readings of 110 or higher are common. The extreme heat creates extreme aridity, and the combination is frequently deadly to unprepared desert travelers. Even in the mountainous north-central and eastern sections of Arizona, where temperatures are moderated by elevations from 7000 to over 12,000 feet, the thin air remains dry much of the year.
Dehydration is a constant concern for the Arizona backpacker, and all trips must be planned around available water sources. Never depend on a single water source, such as a spring, creek, rock tank, or even a water cache you’ve placed yourself. Many springs and creeks are seasonal, flowing only during and immediately after the winter and summer wet season. Even permanent springs and streams may go dry during droughts. Carry enough water as you hike so that you can retreat to the last water source if a source is unexpectedly dry. Drink plenty of water, more than required to quench your thirst. Your body loses moisture insensibly in dry air, and you start to become dehydrated before you become thirsty. Electrolyte replacement drinks are very useful. Become familiar with the symptoms of heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Heat exhaustion is a debilitating condition brought on by heat and dehydration. If untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to sunstroke, caused by a complete loss of the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating. Sunstroke is a serious medical emergency that is fatal if not treated immediately.
A useful skill to develop is the art of dry camping. When you have the freedom to camp well away from water sources, you’ll find that it opens up many wonderful new campsites, such as ridges, saddles, and even mountaintops. (Of course, you should avoid camping on ridges and mountaintops during the thunderstorm season.) Planning a dry camp doesn’t always mean carrying huge loads of water. A useful technique is to pick up water at a spring or creek late in the day and hike for another hour or two before camping. Arizona state law prohibits camping within 0.25 mile of a spring to allow wildlife access to water.
The best months to enjoy the lower elevation deserts are October through April. The days are commonly mild and clear, though temperatures may fall below freezing at night. Occasional winter rainstorms refresh the desert and bring out the late winter and spring flowers.
MOUNTAINS AND SNOW
At the other extreme, heavy snowfall is a frequent occurrence in the mountains above 6000 feet from December through March. Above 8000 feet, the snow pack is often several feet deep and makes backpacking impractical without snowshoes or skis. Snow falls in the fall and spring, but usually in small amounts that melt quickly. In the mountains, winter temperatures may drop well below zero, so the winter trekker must be prepared for the cold. For backpackers, the summer and autumn months are the best periods to enjoy the Arizona high country.
THE NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON
The hot, dry weather of May and June abruptly changes in July as a mass of moist tropical air typically moves in from the southeast. Skies, which have been clear for weeks, start to fill with puffy cumulus clouds by midmorning, and
