Gila River Ramble Loop

[honkonbobo]

I am going to be in the Phoenix / Sedona area next week and am considering the Gila River loop over a couple days.  I have been looking at the Gila River Ramble trip reports and route info ScottM posted (thanks Scott and everyone else for that).  I am not familiar with the area at all.

Is the route easy enough to follow by printing maps from GPX files in Scotts Gila River Ramble route post?  I do not have a GPS that can use GPX files so I would need to get a GPS app for my phone if its gonna be necessary (and carry my big battery to keep it going) Are the trails marked?  

Any help/advice would be appreciated.  Thanks, Eric

[ScottM]

Hey Eric,

We were just out in that area riding and it's prime!  Some sections got some trailwork, rains have made for good traction, the river is fordable (as of yesterday).

I would highly recommend a GPS, though.  You could probably follow the AZT without any major mishap, but to loop around or ride anything else would be very hard.  It's mostly wide open BLM land with very little markings even on the major roads.

You wouldn't need to run your phone tracking all the time, necessarily, but have it handy to check your position on intersections and such.

[honkonbobo]

thanks Scott.  looking forward to it.