Arizona Trail — Passage 1 landscape

Photo: Photo by Brandon Messner on Unsplash

Arizona Trail — Passage 1

~2 days · 20.5 mi · moderate · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance20.5 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain4,849 ft
Gain / mile237 ft
High point9,108 ft

What the Arizona Trail — Passage 1 is known for

Passage 1 of the Arizona Trail climbs from the border monument at the Mexico line over the crest of the Huachuca Mountains through the Miller Peak Wilderness, then descends to Parker Canyon Lake. The point-to-point route is about 20.5 miles, gaining over 3,000 ft in its first six miles as it rises from desert grassland into conifer forest. Most backpackers take 2 days.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Arizona Trail — Passage 1 on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 18,061 ft to 29,731 ft over 20.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 11.1 mi · 54%
  • Downhill 8.3 mi · 41%
  • Flat 1.1 mi · 5%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Arizona Trail — Passage 1 take?

Most backpackers hike the Arizona Trail — Passage 1 in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 20.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Arizona Trail — Passage 1?

The Arizona Trail — Passage 1 climbs roughly 4,849 ft total — about 237 ft per mile, topping out near 9,108 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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