General Tips on Backpacking in Arizona

WATER AND HEAT

      Arizona is a desert state. The low deserts of the south and west sections of the state are dangerously hot in the summer. In this region, daily temperatures top 100˚F from May through mid September, and readings of 110 or higher are common. The extreme heat creates extreme aridity, and the combination is frequently deadly to unprepared desert travelers. Even in the mountainous north-central and eastern sections of Arizona, where temperatures are moderated by elevations from 7000 to over 12,000 feet, the thin air remains dry much of the year.

      Dehydration is a constant concern for the Arizona backpacker, and all trips must be planned around available water sources. Never depend on a single water source, such as a spring, creek, rock tank, or even a water cache you’ve placed yourself. Many springs and creeks are seasonal, flowing only during and immediately after the winter and summer wet season. Even permanent springs and streams may go dry during droughts. Carry enough water as you hike so that you can retreat to the last water source if a source is unexpectedly dry. Drink plenty of water, more than required to quench your thirst. Your body loses moisture insensibly in dry air, and you start to become dehydrated before you become thirsty. Electrolyte replacement drinks are very useful. Become familiar with the symptoms of heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Heat exhaustion is a debilitating condition brought on by heat and dehydration. If untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to sunstroke, caused by a complete loss of the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating. Sunstroke is a serious medical emergency that is fatal if not treated immediately.

      A useful skill to develop is the art of dry camping. When you have the freedom to camp well away from water sources, you’ll find that it opens up many wonderful new campsites, such as ridges, saddles, and even mountaintops. (Of course, you should avoid camping on ridges and mountaintops during the thunderstorm season.) Planning a dry camp doesn’t always mean carrying huge loads of water. A useful technique is to pick up water at a spring or creek late in the day and hike for another hour or two before camping. Arizona state law prohibits camping within 0.25 mile of a spring to allow wildlife access to water.

      The best months to enjoy the lower elevation deserts are October through April. The days are commonly mild and clear, though temperatures may fall below freezing at night. Occasional winter rainstorms refresh the desert and bring out the late winter and spring flowers.

MOUNTAINS AND SNOW

      At the other extreme, heavy snowfall is a frequent occurrence in the mountains above 6000 feet from December through March. Above 8000 feet, the snow pack is often several feet deep and makes backpacking impractical without snowshoes or skis. Snow falls in the fall and spring, but usually in small amounts that melt quickly. In the mountains, winter temperatures may drop well below zero, so the winter trekker must be prepared for the cold. For backpackers, the summer and autumn months are the best periods to enjoy the Arizona high country.

THE NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON

      The hot, dry weather of May and June abruptly changes in July as a mass of moist tropical air typically moves in from the southeast. Skies, which have been clear for weeks, start to fill with puffy cumulus clouds by midmorning, and the afternoon often brings towering thunderstorms with strong gusty winds, heavy rain, hail, and lightning. Arizona lies at the northern limit of the North American Monsoon, which as the name implies is much more active south of the international border. The stormy weather follows a surge and break pattern, with active periods of several days or a week often followed by lulls when the moist air is pushed south of the state by minor weather disturbances. Still, take precautions during the monsoon. To avoid lightning, plan to be off high ridges and peaks by midday. Because of the potential for floods, never camp or park a vehicle in dry washes or other drainages. Heavy rain may fall in the headwaters, miles from your location, and cause streams and dry washes to rise suddenly and without warning. If thunderstorms are building during the afternoon, plan to camp in a sheltered area, if possible. Thunderstorm gust fronts can produce winds of 60 miles per hour or more. Although most hailstorms are extremely local in nature, and seldom produce hailstones larger than 0.25 inch, larger hailstones do occur and can be dangerous to hikers caught in the open. That said, the summer rains are a delight. Monsoon mornings dawn clear and sweet, with mountain meadows misty with dew, and the afternoon clouds and rain bring welcome relief from the midday heat.