May start date NOB

[Drdynamo]

Hi,
Due to work constraints, I cannot start this hike until May. I'm comfortable with heat, but I'm wondering if others have hiked this during May-June and what the weather is like. Thanks in advance.

[Sredfield]

One strategy would be to flip flop to do the warmer/ lower passages first.

[Drdynamo]

@Sredfield Hi, That was my plan. I’d start at the Mexico border and go north. My sense is that in May, it shouldn’t be so overwhelmingly hot that it’s unbearable, however, I don’t have any experience with the Arizona weather.

[Tough_Boots]

however, I don’t have any experience with the Arizona weather.

Not to be too discouraging-- but you should really take a close consideration of the temperature, amount of full sun exposure, and possible dryness you will encounter this time of year. Most locals stop dayhiking in low elevations by this time.

[Drdynamo]

@Tough_Boots Thanks. I know that it will be hot. Would you say it’s completely asinine lol?

[SuperstitionGuy]

Not if you leave May 1st and plan on getting up at 1 AM to start your day.

[Grasshopper]

Not if you leave May 1st and plan on getting up at 1 AM to start your day.

@SuperstitionGuy
I'm not an AZT through hiker, but that comment is kind-of confusing & just muddies the water

[SuperstitionGuy]

It HOT and backpacking at night until you reach the higher elevations is the better choice......

[Sredfield]

By flip flopping, I was suggesting starting on say, passage 14 at Tiger Mine TH, hiking to maybe Picket Post or Rogers Trough as early in the adventure as possible, then going to the south end and hiking to Tiger Mine TH, jumping north to wherever he left off and continuing on the way.

Regardless, heat and water are going to be issues.

[Tough_Boots]

Would you say it’s completely asinine lol?

Not completely but I wouldn't recommend it to someone inexperienced hiking in Arizona heat and terrain. Just do some research and be prepared.

[Sredfield]

@Drdynamo
Maybe not completely, but the whole thing is supposed to be fun, and if you're flirting with heat exhaustion it isn't fun. Check the historical temperatures on this website for the lower passages (14-18).

[joebartels]

historical temperatures

examples for the curious

[ Huachuca Mountains - AZT #1 ]
Mobile > forecast tab > view historical button
Desktop > Upper right column

Above is for the trailhead. Check along the trail as follows below.

Any point in the US
Map via Plan at the top of all pages
Plan > Map > Zoom to Area > Options > Historical Weather

share link for the helper
[ Historical Weather ]

[LosDosSloFolks]

@joebartels
Oh, you coder you...that's a pretty sporty feature.

[Drdynamo]

Thank you everyone. The consensus seems to be a no go. I really appreciate your input. I did my research and looked at the weather but sometimes having real people with the experience there helps.

[Mountain_Rat]

@Drdynamo
I plan to start around the 1st of April, which is as late as I would gamble.

[Trew]

It's not uncommon to see temps over 100* by mid-April. May is usually hotter, and then June gets hotter than May.

I do a lot of hiking in the Superstitions, but by mid-April I am done until October. Biggest rattler I have seen in AZ was on the north side of Saguaro NP in March in the grass, crossing he trail. My May rattlers will definitely be out. Just be aware of that. Instead of starting in May, can you do a late season hike SOBO?

May- June is just hot! The suggestion to start hiking at 1 am was realistic. And around 10 or 11 find some shade and rest until 5 or 6 in the afternoon. Hiking in 100*+ is just brutal!