SlowBro - Arizona Trail Journal - 2017

(Click image for full size)


Border Marker 102 at start of AZT

Getting Started

The AZT starts on the Mexican border, roughly 23 miles South of the town of Sierra Vista, AZ in the Coronado National Monument. There is a road, West Montezuma Canyon Rd, which runs through the Monument and parrallel to the border. About 2 miles south of where it crosses Montezuma Pass is the southern terminus of the AZT. Since there is no road to the southern terminus, to start one has to hike the two miles to the border from the pass. At that point you actually "Start" the AZT by hiking back the two miles to Montezuma Pass and then on north and west along the trail. A little awkward, but all part of the adventure.

I mention all this because I have spent a fair amount of time this morning trying to figure out how to get from Sierra Vista to the start of the AZT. I plan to be in Sierra Vista on March 8th and have already booked a room. But getting the first 1,300 miles from Eugene to Sierra Vista is easy. That last 23 miles, not so much. I spent time surfing the internet for clues. The AZT Association was somewhat helpful as was the SV Chamber of Commerce. There are shuttle companies that mostly service SV and the Tucson airport and one taxi service. I called Arizona Sunshine Tours and they'll get you as far as the Visitors Center at the Monument for $ 59 per person. That is still 4 miles short of the pass, but pretty close. I called the lone taxi company, Two Tone Taxi, and asked if they drive out to the Monument? "Sure," and they'll do it for around $ 35 per car load. They also run 24-7 so they will go out early. It was not clear if they could take me all the way to Montezuma Pass or just to the Visitors Center, but if not that will only add 4 miles to my first day on the trail bring it up to a respectable 16 miles.

Entry 3 of 108
First  :: Previous  :: Next  :: Last