Arizona Trail Section Hike: Passages 12 through 14
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 52 mile portion I hiked in passages 12 through 14. 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 12 through 14 guide, I hope you enjoy :).
IF HEADING NOBO (NORTHBOUND) PASSAGE 12 BEGINS AT THE marshall gulch trailhead in the town of summerhaven arizona. you can either hike up and out of sabino canyon in passage 11 or take a gnarly car/bicycle ride up the single lane catalina highway to reach it. PASSAGE 14 ENDS right outside of the tortilla mountains and is the first central passage of the AZT. 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 are WATER SOURCES AND FILLED WATER CACHE BOXES. Passages 13 and 14 are actually easier to reach by car from Tucson or phoenix than passage 12 even though you can see 12 from downtown tucson. You will cross through and be near the towns of Summerhaven, Oracle, and cross over a highway 77. THIS IS AN FYI SHOULD AN EMERGENCY ARISE OR IF YOU WANT TO DIVIDE THIS INTO DAY HIKES. I HIKED 52 MILES OF PASSAGES 12 THROUGH 14’S 51.9 MILES OVER three DAYS, finishing with a pizza at the cookie cabin in Summerhaven!
Arizona Trail Section Hike Passages 12 through 14 Need to Know’s:
Passage 12 begins with a road walk through the town of Summerhaven Arizona, population 22!
Passage 12 also gives you the chance to resupply, get a HUGE cookie/pizza, and use an indoor restroom in Summerhaven. Another great AZT Trail Town.
Passage 12 then takes a MASSIVE descent down to the desert floor, prepare for touch descending and rocky terrain on Oracle Ridge. You will then wind through the town of Oracle and Oracle State Park before crossing under Highway 77 and doing a dirt road walk to finish passage 13. All decently easy spots to hitch or look for trail angel/magic support.
Passage 14 gets isolated again and puts you back into the desert wilderness, albeit in the gorgeous Black Hills which are covered with Saguaro’s and sweeping views of mountains each way you look.
If you are just day hiking keep in mind that Passage 12 begins at 8,000 feet. If you are aren’t used to hiking at the elevation your lungs might feel filled up!
The High Jinks Ranch and American Flag Ranch have interesting stories and side exploration attached to them. Including once being owned by Buffalo Bill Cody (High Jinks) and having the oldest post office in Arizona (American Flag Ranch.)
There are cases of RABIES out on passage 14, be careful if you want to hike with your doggo!
Passage 13 is the final “Southern Passage” of the Arizona Trail.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 12 can be found HERE.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 13 can be found HERE.
GPS and Map Coordinates for Passage 14 can be found HERE.
What else happened that was memorable during this Arizona Trail Section Hike?
Finishing this section in a trail town with road miles with my dog and partner was special. The pizza and cookie cabin treats were excellent as well!
The Aspen Fire was the most devastating fire I have ever seen in terms of post nature impact and rebuilding of a community. Continued support in education, protection, and proactive work to prevent this moving forward is always necessary and needed.
There’s a pretty well done mural under Highway 77, it’s an added bonus to get art while on the trail.
I had my first rattlesnake in section 13, they warned me from a bush and I skipped away quickly. What a beautiful alert system to tell others to stay away from them!
Finishing the bottom 14 passages felt pretty surreal! I had no idea I would even hike any of it when moving to Tucson, then I quickly discovered how close and accessible it was. Two and a half months later and I did 14 of the 43 passages!
Summerhaven, Oracle, the High Jinks, and the American Flag Ranch give you several interesting things along this section beyond cacti, views, and sore feet!
I had a gopher snake sighting on my final passage which ensured I only encountered three snakes on the 14 passages I did during mating season, and one was from the side of the road. Pretty amazed I didn’t notice more!
There are two trail magic Coors Beers stuck in the cache box at the Oracle Ridge Trailhead. They might be gone by the time you get there, but they might also be trail magic awaiting you :)!
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 these passages on the Arizona Trail!
Passage Twelve: Summerhaven, Pizza, Cookies, Road Miles, and a ROCKY DESCENT!
Passage Thirteen: Rattlers, stunning views, sketchy snake walkings, windmills, inspiring bench plaques, and HEAT.
Passage Fourteen: A grand entrance to the passage, Saguaro’s are BACK, and PUDS (Pointless Ups and Downs.)
I did this 52 mile stretch of the AZT during three days of hiking. I loved the trail towns, historic ranches, cookie cabins, rocky descents, massive spring cactus blooms, and the mighty Saguaro returning in passage 14! This is a great section if you live in or near Tucson Arizona.
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 12, 13, and 14.
Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R