AZT 34: San Francisco Peaks

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Commonly Bikepacked · Technical · Views

A major highlight section of the Arizona Trail, this is the passage that flanks the San Francisco Peaks and crests at 9,000 feet elevation. It traverses subalpine forest and meadows, with towering conifers and aspen groves, plus wildflowers and views of Arizona's highest summit--Humphrey's Peak at 12,633 feet.

Reliable water sources are at Schultz Tank (southern end of the passage), Alfa Fia Tank near Aspen Corner on Snowbowl Road, and East Cedar Tank near the northern end of the passage. Dispersed camping is allowed near Schultz Tank and Alfa Fia Tank on National Forest land.

In the northbound direction, this passage starts at Schultz Tank (road access via Schultz Pass dirt road). From there it descends for several miles on rolling singletrack through ponderosa forest. The descending does not last, however. After crossing Snowbowl Road the trail begins a long, rocky ascent to reach Aspen Corner, which is the informal name for a trailhead higher up on Snowbowl Road (This section makes a fun, techy downhill in the opposite direction and can easily be shuttled).

Just off the trail near Aspen Corner is Alfa Fia Tank, a water source and possible dispersed campsite with satisfying views. Just a bit farther on the trail is the Aspen Nature Trail loop and connection to Arizona Snowbowl ski resort. From this point begins a supremely fun section of the AZT--the long descent from the Peaks back into the high desert.

You hard-earned reward after all the climbing is flowy trail through beautiful sub-alpine meadows with panoramic views. Farther down and past Bismark Lake, the forest gets denser and swoopy singletrack dives through and impressive grove of aspen. After crossing Forest Road 418, the trail continues to loose elevation as the forest transitions to more open and arid pinyon-juniper forest.

The passage finishes on FR 417 near Cedar Ranch, at a spot about 5 miles by dirt road from Highway 180, and Passage 35 continues northward from there.