AZT Carpooling, Shuttles & Rides

[joebartels]

Shuttle information https://aztrail.org/explore/shuttles/

[ space reserved for helpful information ]

[CannondaleKid]

Wow! What a blast!

I had planned to hike with Courtney only about 4 miles (to FR393) before breaking off to bag a peak but I kept going as long as she had more adventures to share... biking across Asia, through Iran, across Europe, hiking in Scotland (until calling it quits in the seemingly never ending rain) then coming to Arizona for some warmer weather. (I daresay Courtney may change her mind about that)

If we hadn't met a south-bound couple at the Mazatzal Wilderness Boundary, I may have continued even farther. The southbound couple (Laura & Graham) were from Britain, so I turned around and had a great time hearing about their many adventures as well.

Full details in the upcoming triplog...

[Mad Science]

Hi all,

The AZT has been spectacular, abrupt, diverse, unforgiving, and full of wildlife; but now, as I sit at the pizza place in Vail (home of what must be one of the world's largest calzones), I'm having to face the reality that my hike will soon be over.

Is anyone willing to pick me up near the southern terminus (either at the Montezuma Pass Trailhead or the nearby visitor center)? I'm looking to get to Sierra Vista (or anywhere north that has a motel and bus service). Hitching seems to be getting more difficult as I move south. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

I should hit the border sometime between October 31st and November 2nd. Things will become more clear as I get closer.

Thanks,

Mad Science

P.S. And thank you to all the volunteers who make such a thru-hike possible.

[Farwalker]

Unfortunately I am leaving for Ohio but there is a local shuttle service that is located in Hereford. If no one here offers I'd call these folks and ask if they'd pick you up at the bottom of the hill by the museum at Montezuma pass. You can take Joes canyon trail down to the pavement or walk the dirt road down that goes up to the pass.
Three Canyons Shuttle Service
520 803 6713

[rcorfman]

I had really good service with Ken's Shuttle Service. He shuttled me from Patagonia (his base) to Montezuma Pass where I left my truck.

From the ATA shuttle info web page:

Ken's Shuttle Service (520-604-6939) can transport up to 4 hikers to the trailhead(s) of your choice on Passages 1-13. On- or off-highway travel is available. Call or e-mail kensshuttleservice@gmail.com for pricing information and scheduling.

[Mad Science]

Thank you for the good ideas. I'll call these places to check out prices; but I suspect, if I can't find a local trail angel willing to drive for gas money, that I'll be hitching (maybe walking) to Sierra Vista after finishing the trail.

Well Wishes

[kpottebaum]

Hi!
I am driving down from Reno to do a 2-week section of the AZT starting in Patagonia. Looking to start between Nov 25 and 27. Is anyone in the Tucson area able to assist with a car deposit? I would love to leave my car at the take-out point around Oracle and have a friendly angel transport me to Patagonia. Any leads or suggestions would be most appreciated! Gratitude will be shown.

Kate

[chumley]

I saw this posted on another photoset. Don't know if they are interested in the drive from Oracle to Patagonia, but at least the north end of your hike is in their neighborhood.

http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=528806

[Hatchet]

Hello! Anyone planning to go to the Gabe Zimmerman TH around December 18/19 or Gordon Hirabayashi Campground around December 23 from Tucson? A friend and I are planning to do some light hiking on the trail next week and would love to bum a ride. (We'd provide gas $ and would be happy to treat you for a meal too!)

[Witchdoctor]

Am new to the Arizona Trail. I have been hiking the PCT southern sections but logistics getting tougher (from South Carolina)! Would like to do Passage 18 through Mormon Lake in order to fly into Phoenix and out of Flagstaff. Are there shuttles available in those areas? Is that distance feasible in that time span (average speed). Hopefully, water will not need to be cached if el Nino continues!
Any suggestions welcome!

[joebartels]

So you are looking at about 16 miles a day. #18 through #26 are a hefty roller coaster. Water probably won't be an issue in those areas but it's too early to be sure.

[sirena]

Shuttle information: http://www.aztrail.org/shuttles.html

Happy planning!

[Yukon]

Anyone know of a safe place to park a car while hiking the northern half of the AZT?

Started a thru-hike last year from the southern terminus but had to get off trail in Superior due to health reasons. Planning to finish Superior to the northern terminus this March-April (2016). I'll be road-tripping out and am looking for a safe place to park a vehicle for about 4 or 5 weeks. Anywhere along the Superior-Utah portion of the trail would be fine.

Does anyone have suggestions? Any trail angels possibly?

Thanks in advance,
Yukon

[hikeaz]

Try Steve and/or Susan at Paria Outpost or Josh @ Paria Canyon Guest Ranch.

[mikebenton]

Buddy and I are starting at Northernmost point and heading south along segments #43 and #42 and plan to end at 89A this weekend. Last minute request, the turn of the weather has others backing out and we're trying to figure out the ride situation. Is anyone in the area available to pick us up from 89A and drop us at the start?

Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

[JRocket]

My flight is scheduled to arrive in Tuscon Thursday March 3rd.

Is there anyone who would like to share a shuttle with me that day, the following weekend or week afterwards to Coronado National Monument?

[oldmanonthetrail]

My name is Dave and i will be arriving march 6th. in phoenix. i have a rental car for a week.(flexible) ,wanted to do a couple day hikes to get the kinks out before I start.I am dropping the car in Tuscon .If somewhere around the 10th works for you I'm in.
If not Trew has a thread going and there's lots of people starting around same time.(early March)

[oldmanonthetrail]

viewtopic.php?f=78&t=9283&p=115220&hilit=trew#p115220 here is the thread

[JRocket]

Thanks for the link and the offer! I'll check-in over there as well.

[Boogata]

Hello everyone, Ive gathered a wealth of knowledge from this forum in anticipation for my Spring 2016 AZT "almost thru" hike. Ill be starting at the southern terminus on Feb 29 and aiming to finish in Flagstaff on or around April 1. My plan is to drive to Flag, take a bus to tucson, and somehow get to the starting point to begin the hike. Hopefully winding up a month later in Flagstaff to pick up my truck and head north.

Couple of questions;

Between Tucson and Southern terminus, are there any options besides the airpot shuttle? Is this a well traveled route where one could easily hitch a ride?

I'd like to leave my truck somewhere somewhat secure in Flag. Ive read into it and feel unsure about the airport lot etc... Has anyone left a vehicle in that lot for a month or so? Is it a secure lot or open to the public? Are there any other options ?

If anyone else out there is planning on starting in very late Feb, I'd be happy to trail buddy/ help logistics wise, let me know. Also Id be happy to help anyone needing a ride south as far as Flagstaff, Ill be coming south via SLC from Montana. Questions/Concerns let me know! Thanks

[SpicedRum]

I left my vehicle at a hotel in Flagstaff when I did it, but only for a week. This is who we used to pick us up at the border. He is out of Patagonia. Ken's Shuttle Service (520-604-6939) can transport up to 4 hikers to the trailhead(s) of your choice on Passages 1-13. On- or off-highway travel is available. Call or e-mail kensshuttleservice@gmail.com for pricing information and scheduling. Maybe leave your vehicle in Tucson and then catch a bus back to it from Flagstaff.