Arizona Trail Section Hike: Passages 1 through 5
The Arizona Trail runs 800 miles from Mexico to Utah through the state of Arizona. The trail is divided into 43 passages. In this article I share a 75 mile portion I hiked of the 87.4 miles in passages 1 through 5. In this series we are covering each section I hike. I am hoping I can provide tips and insights into how you can spend an afternoon to a few days at a time on this trail that stretches from Mexico to Utah! Or for a few months as a thru-hiker! This is my Arizona Trail Section Hike Passages 1 through 5 guide, I hope you enjoy :).
IF HEADING NOBO (NORTHBOUND) PASSAGE 1 BEGINS at the Mexico/arizona Border. But the closest vehicle access gets you 1.8 miles from the southern terminus of this trail (4WD recommended.) PASSAGE 5 ENDS AT THE Oak Tree Canyon Trailhead on State Route 83 about 30 minutes south of Tucson Arizona. THE ARIZONA TRAIL ASSOCIATION PROVIDES DETAILED GPS COORDINATES AND MAPS FOR EACH PASSAGE ON THEIR WEBSITE. IT’S A GREAT RESOURCE! WHEN I HIKED THIS SECTION IN THE SPRING THERE WERE WATER SOURCES and Filled Water Cache boxes. This is the most remote portion of the AZT I have hiked thus far. Primitive dirt roads and few road crossings await you. THIS IS AN FYI SHOULD AN EMERGENCY ARISE OR IF YOU WANT TO DIVIDE THIS INTO DAY HIKES. I HIKED 75 miles of passages 1 through 5’s 87.4 Miles over four days, getting as close to mexico as I could get without a 4WD Vehicle.
Arizona Trail Section Hike Passages 1 through 5 Need to Know’s:
The Southern Terminus requires a 1.8 mile one way hike from Montezuma Pass. To reach Montezuma Pass you will also need to traverse a 9 mile dirt road drive. I hiked SOBO from the end of Passage 1 due to my vehicle limitations :)!
There is a chance you will encounter someone traversing from Mexico or other countries in Central America during passage 1. There’s never been a bad reported encounter from a hiker. They are people just like you looking for what most take for granted in the US in a way of life. Be kind but also be aware of the possibility :). #nohumanisillegal
The towns of Sonoita and Patagonia were great trail towns where I could set up shop to do these passages for several days. It’s pretty desolate and sparsely populated on these passages of the AZT. Passage 1 also includes a massive mountain pass that could result in much colder weather and snow than would be present on much of the remaining miles on passages 1 through 8 until reaching the Rincon Mountains in passage 9. Prepare accordingly!
Patagonia Arizona is a trail town gateaway community and also has walking access via the Patagonia Train Track Trail to reach the town. Should you want to skip trying to hitch a ride.
The end of passages 2 and 4 both have water cache’s that were filled and had volunteers regularly monitoring them. This was in April, I am not positive how much they are monitored should you hike or bike these sections in the summer or winter.
Passage 2, 3, 4, and 5 all have dirt road required drives but all are passable (in my opinion) in a sedan with good tires and good weather. Any sign of potential flash floods/rain/mud would make these roads sketchy in any car, but especially one without 4WD.
The Parker Canyon Lake has a seasonal snack shop at the end of passage 1/beginning of passage 2 should you need basics to get to your next resupply. There’s also swimming available, a rare treat on the Arizona Trail!
This is a hard beginning to the trail. It reminds me of how the Appalachian Trail starts in Georgia with TOUGH hiking. It levels out in some of these passages but I found Passage 1, 2, and 3 to be HARD. I chose to hike 60 miles over 3 days and found the most accessible vehicle points combined with my desire to hike at least 8 miles in each of these 5 passages. I would estimate it would have taken me five days minimum if backpackings.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 1 can be found HERE.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 2 can be found HERE.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 3 can be found HERE.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 4 can be found HERE.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 5 can be found HERE.
What else happened that was memorable during this Arizona Trail Section Hike?
There was something very special and exhilarating to me to reach passage 1 and be hiking to “Mexico.” The Southern and Northern Terminus of these trails are always special!
I met a group of trail runners on passage 1 that reminded me of the famous Flagstaff AZ based Coconino Cowboy Trail Runners. Not sure if this was them but if it wasn’t they had that vibe for sure!
What I love about these trails are the thru hikers you encounter that are on the adventure of a lifetime. And their enthusiasm shows and is VERY contagious! I met “Pantalones” and her buddy who were possibly the last two NOBO thru-hikers for the spring 2024 season. They may have hot weather ahead but likely no snow!
There were several cool water cache volunteers that I met and I got to have lunch with. Meeting the trail volunteers and stewards is always a gift.
Passages 1 and 3 were two of my favorite passages I have done so far on the AZT. The forest and mountain ascents/descents, spring bloom on the cacti, a lake on the AZT, and views that made me feel like I was in some movie made in Montana and South America in Chile was spectacular.
There was something extra fun about the dirt road drives to get to the trailheads. Then you have to unlock cattle guard gates, all of it is a big puzzle and mind game. That’s even before the hiking begins!
Much love to the trail towns of Patagonia and Sonoita. I ate my way through both of them and they were a great base camp to handle this stretch with my backpacking gear being across the country. I stayed at the Sonoita Inn and recommend ALL food in both towns LOL, I tried it all!
I had the chance to meet and listen to Jim Koweek play wonderful music and we talked about writing, adventuring, and music. He’s a desert plant nerd and a local legend in this area of the planet. I got a copy of his new book too!
I saw my first spring snake. But it was a gopher snake (no rattler sightings!) slithering across the road while headed to the trailhead.
WHAT GEAR DO I USE AND LIKE THE MOST ON MY AZT SECTION HIKES?
Hoka One Kaha’s and Hoka Two GTX’s are my trusted shoes.
I use my REI 40 Liter Backpack.
Darn Tough Vermont and Merino Wool Socks from REI and SmartWool are my go to’s.
Osprey Water Bladder and Lifestraw Collapsible Filter for hydration.
I wear New Balance and Nike running shorts mainly and much prefer that to more typical hiking shorts. I also wear sun hoodies that I got from my crew at Scioto Made.
The Arizona Trail Association is a COMPLETE and comprehensive guide. Use it!
I carry a Garmin GPS and if I were to be a thru hiker I would use the Farout (used to be Guthook) App as well.
Rapid fire descriptions for each of the first five passages on the Arizona Trail!
Passage One: Special. Headed to or fro Mexico, big passes, beautiful forests, and ending at a lake. The beginning or ending for most.
Passage Two: Felt like the Appalachian Trail. Up, down, up down. Montana esque “Big Sky” views during sunrise.
Passage Three: Silly how stunning the views were. Hardest passage to follow to date, about halfway through.
Passage Four: Borderlands Nature Preserve in Spring Bloom…spell bounding beauty! And Patagonia Arizona around the corner…cool :).
Passage Five: Santa Rita Foothills. Cows. Lots of secret cattle guard passages. Always felt like there could be a rattlesnake nearby LOL!
I did 75 miles of this 87.4 mile stretch of the AZT on four days of hiking. With one VERY LONG day of hiking. From Mexico to the first swimming hole to the first trail town to the Borderlands Wildlife Preserve and several epic mountain ranges the Arizona Trail starts off with a bang if you are hiking NOBO!
Thanks for reading and happy trails to you! Whether you are planning a thru, section, or day hike…or are a trail town local, trail angel, or just someone wanting to learn more about the Arizona Trail…I hope the AZT gives you what you need! Don’t forget to Leave No Trace and pack your 10 Essentials!
Comment below with questions or your experience on hiking the AZT’s Passages 1, 2, 3, 4, and/or 5
Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R