Weather forecast for the Arizona Trail in October

From the Mexico Border to Casa Blanca Canyon, days usually reach 25-34°C with cool nights from 9-19°C. Skies are often clear to partly cloudy, but brief showers appear, including a moderate burst near Canelo Pass around 10 mm. Overall, the stretch stays mostly dry between short-lived drizzles.

Through Apache Springs, Oak Tree Canyon, Lakes Road, and into the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead and Saguaro National Park, cloud cover varies with several showery pulses. A notable storm near Gabe Zimmerman drops about 67 mm, Lakes Road sees downpours near 12 mm, and Saguaro is mostly clear with only a light sprinkle. Highs remain 20-35°C with nights 10-23°C.

Redington Road to Gordon Hirabayashi Campground and up to Marshall Gulch turns cooler with elevation. Light to moderate showers are possible, and Marshall Gulch records a soaking near 17 mm with chilly nights down to -1°C. Daytime temperatures range roughly 7-28°C under changeable skies.

Across American Flag Ranch, Tiger Mine, Freeman Road, and the Kelvin–Riverside Bridge corridor, weather is mostly fair but punctuated by fast-moving storms. Localized downpours reach about 19-27 mm, with a lighter event near Tiger Mine around 5 mm. Highs often sit around 24-37°C, and nights 10-23°C.

Through Tonto National Forest, Picketpost Trailhead, Rogers Trough, and Vineyard Trailhead, sunny stretches dominate with isolated showers. A heavy burst near Picketpost delivers about 15 mm and Vineyard records around 9 mm, while other spots see only brief drizzles. Highs range 18-35°C with nights 8-20°C.

From Pigeon Spring through Sunflower to Mount Peeley and Red Hills Trail Junction, the mountains bring cooler air and periodic rain. Pigeon Spring takes around 18 mm and Sunflower and Peeley pick up lighter totals, with some nights falling to -1°C. Skies swing between clear breaks and overcast spells.

Dropping to the East Verde River and climbing to Pine Trailhead, FR 300, and Highway 87, precipitation becomes more frequent and the first snows arrive. Pine sees light to moderate rain up to about 10 mm, FR 300 gets a light snowfall, and Highway 87 records moderate snow near 2 mm. Temperatures vary widely, with highs 2-22°C and lows down to -9°C.

Across Gooseberry Springs, Mayflower Spring, Marshall Lake, and the Cosnino Road Exit, mixed rain and snow alternate with dry, sunny days. Snowfall episodes include about 11 mm near Gooseberry and additional moderate events around Mayflower, alongside hard freezes near -9°C. Daytime highs run from -1-20°C.

At Schultz Pass, Cedar Ranch, Moqui Stage Station, and Grandview Lookout Tower, wintry systems become regular. Snow totals include around 9 mm at Schultz, rain up to 9 mm at Cedar, moderate snow near 5 mm at Moqui, and heavy snow about 8 mm near Grandview. Highs are mostly 5-18°C, with subzero nights common.

Through South Kaibab and North Kaibab into Kaibab National Forest and Telephone Hill, then onward past Orderville and Winter Road to the Stateline Trailhead, frequent snow and hard freezes are common. North Kaibab and Telephone Hill see multiple storms, with heavy snowfall reaching about 14-24 mm, while clearer, dry breaks return near the end. Highs range 0-20°C, and lows plunge to -14°C.