Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Sara goes Backpacking to try out some $30 Amazon Camping Gear.
For this early spring backpacking trip, Sara and I headed to an upper elevation section of Arizona’s Coconino National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Sedona. Despite it’s close proximity to the much hotter and drier desert like climate of Sedona, the 7,500 foot elevation and abundant snow melt provided an environment surprisingly similar to hiking back on our native east coast. Yes, you can actually find snow, pine trees and abundant streams in Arizona!
To get our dose of 20 degree cooler temps, along with some pockets of remaining snow, we chose to hike a section of the larger Cabin Loop Trail system. This loop utilizes several different local trails. One of which is the Arizona Trail, a roughly 800 mile long distance trail that traverses the entire length of the state from the Mexican border to the Utah state line.
This particular region of the AZT gave us some awesome camping opportunities right along the Mogollon Rim with stunning views down into the valley some 2,000 feet below. To be fair though, we didn’t really spend too much time on the actual AZT. We chose instead to create our own route along the rim, in search of drinking water and those aforementioned great views.
For gear on this trip, Sara decided to pick up several new pieces budget backpacking to test out – a sleeping pad, two person tent, and two person sleeping bag complete with pillows. She found each of these for about $30 a piece on Amazon. But would they get the job done for an overnight backpacking trip with our dog in tow? Well, there’s only one way to find that out, I guess.
Oh, and the last mile or so of road to the trailhead was impassable due to a blockade of remaining snow, so that made for an interesting start 🙂
sintax77.com/saras-shocking-budget-backpacking-gear-challenge
Trailhead Used:
Battle of Big Dry Wash Historical Landmark & AZT Trailhead
Payson, AZ 85541
34°27’15.4″N 111°15’02.5″W
Note: We had to start further down the road due to snow closure
Season / Time of Year
Early Spring – Mid April
Trails Used:
Start at Arizona Trail
Off trail bushwhacking along the Mogollon Rim
Campsite Used:
An unofficial random spot on the rim with some amazing views!
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear Used on this Trip:
Amazon Budget Tent amzn.to/4ekdAsh
Amazon Budget Sleeping Pad amzn.to/3VixATK
Amazon Budget Double Sleeping Bag amzn.to/3KF0d8B
Sara’s Backpack that she stole from me:
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight alnk.to/5ufLwlS
Shawn’s OV Satu Adventure Pants alnk.to/3U0WH1K
Shawn’s Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad amzn.to/4dqbK8R
Ultra-Light Titanium Backpacking Stove amzn.to/4aYeHLq
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Titanium Long Handled Spork amzn.to/3ANWmAK
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/4b7xt3i
Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals amzn.to/3Qkp02i
Packit Gourmet Backpacking Meals packitgourmet.com
Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/45jGlS2
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter amzn.to/2WcjfYZ
Sara goes Backpacking to try out some $30 Amazon Camping Gear.
For this early spring backpacking trip, Sara and I headed to an upper elevation section of Arizona’s Coconino National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Sedona. Despite it’s close proximity to the much hotter and drier desert like climate of Sedona, the 7,500 foot elevation and abundant snow melt provided an environment surprisingly similar to hiking back on our native east coast. Yes, you can actually find snow, pine trees and abundant streams in Arizona!
To get our dose of 20 degree cooler temps, along with some pockets of remaining snow, we chose to hike a section of the larger Cabin Loop Trail system. This loop utilizes several different local trails. One of which is the Arizona Trail, a roughly 800 mile long distance trail that traverses the entire length of the state from the Mexican border to the Utah state line.
This particular region of the AZT gave us some awesome camping opportunities right along the Mogollon Rim with stunning views down into the valley some 2,000 feet below. To be fair though, we didn’t really spend too much time on the actual AZT. We chose instead to create our own route along the rim, in search of drinking water and those aforementioned great views.
For gear on this trip, Sara decided to pick up several new pieces budget backpacking to test out – a sleeping pad, two person tent, and two person sleeping bag complete with pillows. She found each of these for about $30 a piece on Amazon. But would they get the job done for an overnight backpacking trip with our dog in tow? Well, there’s only one way to find that out, I guess.
Oh, and the last mile or so of road to the trailhead was impassable due to a blockade of remaining snow, so that made for an interesting start 🙂
sintax77.com/saras-shocking-budget-backpacking-gear-challenge
Trailhead Used:
Battle of Big Dry Wash Historical Landmark & AZT Trailhead
Payson, AZ 85541
34°27’15.4″N 111°15’02.5″W
Note: We had to start further down the road due to snow closure
Season / Time of Year
Early Spring – Mid April
Trails Used:
Start at Arizona Trail
Off trail bushwhacking along the Mogollon Rim
Campsite Used:
An unofficial random spot on the rim with some amazing views!
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear Used on this Trip:
Amazon Budget Tent amzn.to/4ekdAsh
Amazon Budget Sleeping Pad amzn.to/3VixATK
Amazon Budget Double Sleeping Bag amzn.to/3KF0d8B
Sara’s Backpack that she stole from me:
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight alnk.to/5ufLwlS
Shawn’s OV Satu Adventure Pants alnk.to/3U0WH1K
Shawn’s Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad amzn.to/4dqbK8R
Ultra-Light Titanium Backpacking Stove amzn.to/4aYeHLq
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Titanium Long Handled Spork amzn.to/3ANWmAK
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/4b7xt3i
Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals amzn.to/3Qkp02i
Packit Gourmet Backpacking Meals packitgourmet.com
Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/45jGlS2
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter amzn.to/2WcjfYZ
