I decided to start over after my divorce in a big way – by backpacking 800 miles! At 48 I’m hiking the Arizona Trail (AZT) as an older woman. Will this day hiker make it? This is part 2 of many entries, click here to view all posts about my AZT Thru Hike.
Hiking the Arizona Trail as an Older Woman: Miles 0–8 and the Start of My Post-Divorce Journey
There’s something wild and beautiful about doing something before you feel ready.
That’s what I did when I started hiking the Arizona Trail as an older woman, carrying everything I needed on my back and trying to rebuild my life after divorce, loss, and a major move across states. What started as just a hike quickly became my path to starting over after a divorce—one mile at a time.
Am I Really Doing This?
That morning, as I stood at the Southern Terminus of the AZT at the Mexican border, all I could think was, What the hell did I get myself into?
Three of us—me, Janice, and David—had crammed ourselves and our massive backpacks into a car that morning and driven to the border. We were finally here after days of waiting out a storm in Tucson, and we were full of nerves, excitement, and way too much trail food. At 48, I never imagined I’d be starting over after a divorce by tackling something as wild as this. But here I was.
The views into Mexico were stunning—vast, raw, and peaceful. For the first time in a while, I felt that same peace trickling into my own mind.
We took our obligatory “I’m really doing this!” photos at the AZT obelisk and started the real journey: walking northbound on the Arizona Trail, with only our own legs to carry us and the mountain waiting to greet us.
Day One: Baptism by Mountain
Hiking the Arizona Trail as an older woman means being humbled by terrain you think you’re ready for. I’m no stranger to elevation, but I somehow underestimated what a 3,000-foot climb feels like with 36 pounds strapped to your back. Spoiler: it feels brutal. (I realized later that was WAY too much weight to carry.)
As we began our climb, I could feel my nerves creeping in—especially as we zigzagged up the side of the mountain. Heights aren’t my favorite, and when you throw in narrow switchbacks and a top-heavy pack, it’s a whole new level of discomfort. My quads cramped, my breath shortened, and my doubts got loud.
But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. There was no Plan B, no one coming to rescue me from the side of the mountain. This was my choice, and I had to see it through.
Even though I felt like a total rookie awkwardly adjusting straps and shifting weight, I kept going. Starting over after a divorce had already shown me how strong I could be. This trail was just another chance to prove it.
Miller Peak: My First High Point—Literally and Figuratively
At long last, we reached Miller Peak Junction—the highest point for the day and one of the most breathtaking spots on this section of the AZT. Wind whipped through my layers, the cold biting, but I didn’t care. I felt powerful. Exhausted, but proud. Climbing to that point with my fear of heights and physical limits chasing me every step of the way was a major win.
I realized that hiking the Arizona Trail as an older woman wasn’t about crushing miles or going fast. It was about showing up, facing discomfort, and still choosing to move forward—just like I had done after my divorce.
It didn’t matter that I was slower or less experienced than some of the other hikers. What mattered was that I was here, doing the hard thing.
Making Camp and Finding Peace
We hiked a little farther to Bathtub Springs, then down to find a sheltered camp spot for the night. I was frozen, sore, and a little overwhelmed—but I was also deeply content.
I had walked over eight miles with a fully loaded pack and climbed higher than I’d ever hiked before. I had stared fear in the face on the side of that mountain and kept going anyway.
That night, tucked into my tent listening to the wind howl, I finally felt the beginning of something new. Starting over after a divorce hadn’t come in the form of a therapist’s office or a new apartment. It had come with dirt under my fingernails, aching legs, and a view that stretched out forever.
This was only Day One. And I was just getting started.
More of My AZT Adventure
Below is the video of day 1 to accompany this post. I mention things in there that I don’t in writing, including the fact that I needed help the first day to set up my tent. I think that was rookie move #3 for me that day. The first 3 of many I’m sure happened along the way.
Thanks for reading and stay tune for so much more!
More about the AZT:
- Arizona Trail information site.
- Guthooks Guide for AZT – App we used to navigate
- All AZT posts on AllieRambles
FAQs About Hiking the Arizona Trail as an Older Woman and Starting Over After a Divorce
Is hiking the Arizona Trail as an older woman realistic if I’ve never backpacked before?
Yes! You don’t need to be a lifelong backpacker to start. Many older women hike the AZT as a way to reconnect with themselves. Start small, get used to your gear, and train with weight on local trails. Age is not a barrier—it’s your superpower.
How can hiking the Arizona Trail help with starting over after a divorce?
Hiking gives you time, space, and a sense of purpose. It helps you process emotions while challenging you physically. The Arizona Trail offers both solitude and community, which are key when you’re healing and finding your footing again after a big life change like divorce.
What gear or mindset helped you most on the trail?
The right backpack and shoes definitely mattered, but mindset was everything. I had to embrace being uncomfortable and unsure. Starting over after a divorce taught me how to sit with those feelings—and that carried over onto the trail. Flexibility, patience, and self-trust were my best “gear.”
Thank You for Stopping By!
Hi, I’m Allie, obsessed hiker, explorer of our world and reinventor of my life in my 50s.
Here at AllieRambles I explore what it means to rebuild and chase freedom in your 50s and beyond—because life doesn’t end at midlife, it begins.
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