HikeArizona.COM

I was able to get cheap tickets to fly into Tucson on March 27... out at Phoenix April 11th (flexible out on Southwest)... but obviously, planning this long a hike last minute (while working full time) is a challenge. Anybody willing to do some handholding and give advice? General info for:
1) Getting on and off trail from/to respective airports... planning on calling some of the shuttles after this post. Any recommends for getting in and out? I'm flexible going in or out, but slow speed hiker, so average 12-15 miles a day.
2) Resupply possible on trail without mail drops? I'm not fussy and not planning on carrying a stove. I have been known to be happy with cold rehydrated potatoes, etc after a long hike day, but trail bars for the whole thing would be too much.
3) Water sources adequate along these sections in the next 3 weeks? (I have an inline filter but carry backup purifier-- only as an emergency. Green floaties are disgusting. :-D)

Any other suggestions/warnings/concerns really welcome! I have a fair amount of long distance hiking experience, but have never hiked in Arizona before. Some desert experience, but never with this lack of time for planning.

-cari

@CariTucker
Cari, You didn't mention where you're planning on starting on the trail and how far you are going.

@ Hiker Wannabe... I guess that would help! My original plan was to go in near Tucson (Highway 10? Oracle?), hike as far as I got, which would be somewhere near Phoenix and then fly out of Phoenix. My airline ticket home is on Southwest so can be changed with no fee-- after talking to Ken (kens shuttle), I am convinced to start further south, probably at the border, maybe a little north of that, and fly both in and out of Tucson. (I am thinking somewhere around 150 to 175 miles, but that may be too aggressive).

My husband and I have been section hiking the AZT. Ken shuttled us the first two trips, but now we are out of his range. He will pick you up at the airport and take you to Gabe Zimmerman (off of I-10). We are actually doing the next 4 or 5 segmens, Rincon to Oracle starting on March 30th, 5 nights we hope. We did that because that section is hard to get a shuttle in and out of, but it's 85 miles for us. It's about 112 from the border to where we are starting March 30th. From the border to Patagonia is beautiful. I have blown-up canvas pictures of the Huachuca's everywhere at home and work.

Anyways, what I'm getting at is you say that you're flying out April 11th. If you decide where you are going to end and would like a pick up that Saturday or Sunday (if you change your flight), I would be happy to pick you up and bring you to Phoenix. You can email me at kandis.rausch@gmail.com if you want my contact information.

As far as where to start, that's a tough one. It's going to be warm and in segments 5, 6, and 7 you are pretty exposed. If you were to start off where we are (Gabe Zimmerman trailhead) you would probably bet 5 or 6 segments done and get closer to Phoenix.

Let me know if you need a ride!

:-) Happy hiking, Wannabe! SO nice of you to offer! I've actually changed my flight to both in and out of Tucson, will start at Patagonia and hike as far north as I get in 13 days... somewhere between Highway 10 and Oracle-- from what Ken says, closer to Highway 10, lol!