Ready to Hike the Arizona Trail – Planning, Gear & Food

Arizona Trail

I am indeed a big planner. I really enjoy it. For me it’s kinda like planning is putting together a coloring book full of all those black lined drawings. The actual trip is breathing life into the drawings….and sometime you’ve gotta color outside the lines too!
~ Patty Duffy, Thru-hiker and Blogger

I am starting to hike the Arizona Trail in a couple of days. This is a bit last minute (I decided a week ago). Consequently, I have been in a whirlwind of planning and getting gear and food together.

Some of you may remember in April 2019, I started the trail with my good hiker friend from Canada, Leslie. I exited the trail early at mile 161 outside of Tucson, because of 2 ski injuries I had the month before starting the Arizona Trail. I was in a lot of pain and it was a good call. Four months of therapy and staying off my right leg resulted in a full recovery.

My plan is to start solo at mile 161 (Passage 10 3/4) and hike north. As my family kindly reminded me, it has been awhile since I have been on a regular long distance trail, solo. It is about time. I am looking forward to the simple hiker life of just walking, more walking, looking at maps, planning water and food, sleeping under the stars, and just being outdoors.

What is the Arizona Trail

The Arizona Trail (AZT) is a rugged and beautifully wild long-distance trail stretching from the borders of Mexico to Utah. Traversing 800 miles, it climbs up and over southern Arizona’s signature sky islands, weaves through extraordinary desert landscapes and mountains, and travels over Arizona’s high country, all before it passes through the iconic Grand Canyon.

The Arizona Trail has it’s own vocabulary and organization. It is divided into sections called Passages and trail towns are called Gateway Communities. From all my reading and the AZT Facebook page, there are friendly hiker support systems and some stocking of important water caches. I am really looking forward to experiencing the Arizona trail life again.

Arizona Trail Elevation Profile
Arizona Trail Elevation Profile
Arizona Trail Map
Arizona Trail Passage Map

Resources

There is a plethora of information on this trail that is well-done. Here are the main resources I am using:

  • GPSGuthook Atlas App This will be my main source of info for navigation, water sources, and town information.
  • GuidebookYour Complete Guide to the Arizona Trail (Kindle Version)
  • Maps – Join the Arizona Trail Association to get full access to maps and a databook – Arizona Trail Website
  • The Arizona Trail Association’s Website – This website is very organized and is packed with valuable up to date trail data.

Gear

Arizona Trail Gear
Arizona Trail Gear 2021

I changed a couple of gear items for this trail because of possible heat and extra water carries. I am bringing a full brimmed hat, extra 2 liter platypus for water, changing my Neoair Xtherm for my NeoAir Xlite Womens, a small comb to remove a possible jumping Cholla (yes, it is a thing) and leaving behind a few luxury items to save weight (pillow and camp shoes). Also, I am testing some new gear. My base weight (all gear without food and water) is around 11 pounds.

1. Sleeping Bag 23 oz | 2. Sleeping Pad 15 oz | 3. Tent 15.3 oz | 4. Tent Stakes (6) 3 oz | 5. Backpack 26.2 oz | 6. Shoulder Pocket 1.75 oz. | 7.  Pad 2 oz | 8. 2L Water Bag  | 9. Pot 2.8 oz | 10. Stove 3.98 oz | 11. Utensil .63 oz | 12. Journal 23 g | 13. Knife .8 oz | 14. Sit Pad  1.3 oz | 15. USB Wall Charger .8 oz  | 16. Headlamp 1.66 oz. | 17. Trowel .6 oz. | 18. DCF Storage Bags .7 oz | 19. Water Filter 3 oz | 20. Water Bottle 1 oz | 21. Lightening Cable .32 oz | 22. Battery Charger 6.35 oz | 23. Tripod 3.2 oz | 24. Satellite Communicator 3.5 oz | 25. Smartphone/Camera 6.63 oz

1. Hiking Shirt | 2. Buff  | 3. Skirt | 4. Sunhat | 5. Shorts | 6. Sports Bra | 7. Hiking Poles 11.2 oz | 8. Sun Gloves | 9. Sunglasses | 10. Socks | 11. Gaiters | 12. Shoes 17 oz | 13. Down Puffy 7.8 oz | 14. Wind Jacket 3.4 oz | 15. Socks 1 oz  | 16. Gloves 2 oz | 17. Rain Jacket 3.8 oz | 18. Legging 5 oz | 19. Sleep Shirt 3.1 oz | 20. Sleep Socks 3 oz

1. Ziplocks  | 2. Micro Dropper Bottles  | 3. Mini Dropper Bottles | 4. Small Pots with Lid | 5. Small Pouches | 6. Pack Liner | 7. Odor Proof Bag | 8. Band-aids | 9. Leukotape P  | 10. Sanitizer | 11. Wipes | 12. Sunscreen | 13. Deodorant | 14. Lip Balm | 15. Tooth Powder | 16. Toothbrush | 17. Bandana | 18. DCF Tape | 19. Lighter | 20. Eye Mask | 21. Soap  | 22. Brush | 23. Salve

Resupply – Food

There are many small gateway communities along the way. For this trip I am carrying more food, so that I won’t need town stops as often. I am sending food resupply boxes to the following towns: Kearny (General Kearny Inn), Roosevelt (Roosevelt Marina) and Pine (THAT Brewery).

A few weeks ago I shared how I batch make backpacking dinners and 5 of my favorite backpacking meals. Using this method I easily and quickly put together many dinner meals at one time. I even used my Recipe PDF!

New foods I am trying on this hike: EPIC bars, Joolies Dates, gomacro Bars, and Wild Zora Bars.

Arizona Trail Food
Gluten, dairy, and nightshade free breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners for about 19 days of hiking on the Arizona Trail

Follow Along

  • My hope is to continue my tradition of writing a daily trail journal from my tent. I love sharing the diverse experiences and joy of hiking. AND… I always love reader’s comments. Your input, questions, and encouragement makes a big difference. Thank you so much.
  • If you want to follow me in real-time, I post regularly on Instagram. Instagram is a great way for me to share my outdoor photos, where I am and what I am doing. I would love for you to follow along. Just go to my profile page and click follow.
  • Be sure and not miss out! If you have not already signed up, fill out the quick form the bottom of this blog to receive an email when a new post is up on Lady on a Rock.

I am looking forward to sharing this trail with you.

Happy Adventuring,
Rockin’

Subscribe

Sign up to receive Lady on a Rock's latest outdoor trips and tips.

SHARE THIS

18 Comments

  1. Loving the gear list. That Montbell jacket looks pretty amazing.

  2. Is the Xlite on top of the thinlight? or vs. versa?

  3. Hey Rockin! Quick question: why do you have your Xlite and a thinlight pad? Is that purely a spiky desert precaution?

  4. Teri Black

    Good luck! I’ve followed you for years, but now that my son (and backpacking partner) got married, I’m learning how to go it solo. I did 6 days in the Sierras solo a few months ago and loved it. Thanks for inspiring all women solo hikers!!

  5. Pedro Bazagoly

    Good luck Rockin’, I hope the weather is kind to you.
    Really looking forward to your blog including some lovely photos. Very very jealous. Stay safe.

  6. I love your posts, have for years. My advice is to avoid the cholla.

  7. I will follow along as I hike the BMT. 😊 Have a great hike!

  8. steve/hamburger helper

    Thanks for inviting me to trek along with you on this one, Rockin’. I know it will be righteous. Thanks.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*