Читать книгу Backpacking Arizona. From Deep Canyons to Sky Islands онлайн

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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.