Preparation & Risks
We pride ourselves on providing backcountry adventures for everyone to enjoy regardless of experience level. There are trails ideal for beginners or first time backpackers that cover easier terrain with less technicality. Of course we have options for more experienced outdoors people and those really wanting to get out there!
While our operating locations vary in difficulty, we often have the flexibility to adjust the intensity based on personal preferences, often during the actual trip. But rest assured, we won’t plan anything without our guests’ input and will ensure everyone is properly prepared.
Most Common Trail Obstacles:
Water crossings are the most common hurdle we encounter and are present throughout most our guided routes. Although the depths we trek through don’t typically reach higher than our knee caps, the stream bottoms are covered in smooth, slippery river rock which is difficult to gain footing in.
As such, guests are expected to come prepared with appropriate attire, particularly footwear with decent tread that functions well in-and-out of water. While there are many quality riparian hiking shoes and boots on the market, anything lightweight with good drainage will suffice.
We also strongly recommend bringing trekking poles so guests can more effectively balance themselves during the crossings.
Boulders ranging from SUV to softball size can cover massive areas and make the hiking very tedious. Although there’s not much technicality to navigating rocky terrain, a misstep can result in an easy fall or twisted ankle. But if you’re carrying trekking poles, that risk is significantly reduced.
At the end of the day, there’s not much to say about boulder hopping other than it’s just a pain in the ass sometimes.
Altitude ascents and descents occur in every location we guide.
Bushwhacking becomes necessity when the trail disappears into the flora and we are forced to press forward regardless. This is probably the least “fun” of all the obstacles and we’re going to be real, some of our experiences require diving headfirst into some pretty thick, sometimes thorny, brush.
The good news is that you’ll be well rewarded for your work and will have access to some truly spectacular scenery. But if you’re tolerance is low for sticks and leaves rubbing your face, no worries. The severity of bushwhacking varies on our routes and there are plenty of options you can choose from if this isn’t your vibe.
Where We Operate
Backpack Arizona currently operates in the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, covering the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains region. The backcountry trails we hike and campsites we occupy are in alpine zones ranging from 6,000-to-8,000 ft above sea level. They are primarily forested with ponderosa pines, while Blue & Engelmann spruce, White fir, and Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir can also be found.
All our experiences occur near perennial streams and canyons, giving guests the opportunity to swim, fish, and explore however they wish to. There are also chances to encounter wildlife such as deer, elk, turkey, snakes, bald eagles, black bears, and loads more.
The locations we choose to share were selected after meticulous research and field testing. We not only need to ensure guests can safely access these spots, but they meet certain conditions to help ensure we’re able to provide unique and special experiences.
This means we deliberately avoid guiding the popular destinations in the state. Sure, the Grand Canyon and Sedona are beautiful outdoor paradises worth a visit, but we prefer taking the literal off beaten path to the gems less trafficked and influenced by humanity. Doing so helps ripen the conditions for us to better connect with nature and our surroundings, in addition to other travelers and even ourselves. The benefits of this process cannot be overstated. It’s not easy to fully comprehend unless you decide to submit to the experience yourself!
