Tonto Trail Thru

20 a day is very doable. 30 would be tough. The elevation gain in places will surprise you, as will the fiddly footing (brush).

The big logistical challenge is getting to the S Bass TH. The last ~5 miles are close to 4×4 mandatory.

Season is another challenge. March is an ideal combo of decent temps and more water, but getting to the S Bass can be challenging, if not impossible. Only time I drove out there was early March six years ago and I almost got the 4×4 stuck twice (snow and mud). It would be a decent bike ride, for sure.

I'd be inclined to hire a shuttle and start at the S Bass, which gets the major ambiguities (road as mentioned, water between S Bass and Boucher) out of the way first.

I would definitely hike West to East, for the reasons David mentioned – the West end is where all the potential road difficulty lies, so better to get that out of the way.

I've failed to get out to the South Bass in the winter, and also succeeded with ease. It will depend on the year. Last winter you probably could've driven that road just about any time.

The most important advice I can give you is this: camp on the points, not in the drainages! At night in the winter, the cold air from the rim runs down all of the side canyons. That air then displaces warm air by the river, which rises up past the points. (On a side note, I'd love to see infrared aerial photography of this).

So basically, if you camp by water you'll have incredibly cold nights and late sun in the mornings. Instead, fill up on water at your last creek crossing (and/or cook dinner there), then hike another 30 minutes or so out to the next point and camp by the cliffs. We're talking at least a 10 degree difference here, plus earlier sun in the mornings.

I was hoping you'd comment Dave, I saw an old post of yours on this.

March was actually when I was thinking, likely the last week of it.

The bike ride part isn't mandatory, just wondering about it, but I'd like to if it's *reasonable* enough (I know, define "reasonable"!). If it's one of those things that becomes a whole adventure in itself (rather than a means to an adventure), then I'll likely pass and look for a shuttle. Doing the trail is my main goal. I do like the idea of self-supported loops though.

So are you thinking biking between points would be more trouble than it's worth?
If so, I trust your judgement on this one and will look into shuttles.

Thanks Nicholas.

We went down Royal Arch (Pt Huiztl) and then hiked back to Hermit's Rest via the Tonto & Boucher last April. Tonto itself is generally an easy trail and you can hike quickly. Each drainage crossing presents a rougher section. Actually, I thought the 40 miles of Tonto that we did was enough – sure it's spectacular but there is a certain sameness to saying on that layer for a long while. Toltec Beach to Serpentine was a long section without water, but if you come down S Bass that won't be an issue. Adding Royal Arch would certainly add an amazing section & would give you the complete Tonto Trail, I think it continues west of S Bass.

We also drove out to S Bass last weekend. The road was easy – there was a Subaru Forester and an Outback at the TH & I bet they had no problems. I don't know if you'll get charged twice by the Supai if you do a shuttle like you mention.