Trailblazers at the Western Heritage and Film Festival 

Sawmill Theater, Friday, August 14 2:45pm, Sunday August 16 2:30pm & 6:45pm

Trailblazers directed by Kristin Atwell & Bill Davis. In 1982, inspired by mountain men and legends of the Old West, brothers Troy and Powell “Gil” Gillenwater walked across Arizona. They weren’t chasing fame or following a mapped route because there wasn’t one. They were Trailblazing. What began as a homegrown adventure became a journey that reflected the rugged beauty of the Southwest. Accompanied by two mules, a stray dog, and a handful of topo maps, they faced snowstorms, irate ranchers, mule mishaps, a closed Grand Canyon, and the constant challenge of finding water. Their trek was a rebellion against convenience. 

Trailblazers at the Western Heritage and Film Festival 

Sawmill Theater, Friday, August 14 2:45pm, Sunday August 16 2:30pm & 6:45pm

Trailblazers directed by Kristin Atwell & Bill Davis. In 1982, inspired by mountain men and legends of the Old West, brothers Troy and Powell “Gil” Gillenwater walked across Arizona. They weren’t chasing fame or following a mapped route because there wasn’t one. They were Trailblazing. What began as a homegrown adventure became a journey that reflected the rugged beauty of the Southwest. Accompanied by two mules, a stray dog, and a handful of topo maps, they faced snowstorms, irate ranchers, mule mishaps, a closed Grand Canyon, and the constant challenge of finding water. Their trek was a rebellion against convenience. 

Trailblazers at the Western Heritage and Film Festival 

Sawmill Theater, Friday, August 14 2:45pm, Sunday August 16 2:30pm & 6:45pm

Trailblazers directed by Kristin Atwell & Bill Davis. In 1982, inspired by mountain men and legends of the Old West, brothers Troy and Powell “Gil” Gillenwater walked across Arizona. They weren’t chasing fame or following a mapped route because there wasn’t one. They were Trailblazing. What began as a homegrown adventure became a journey that reflected the rugged beauty of the Southwest. Accompanied by two mules, a stray dog, and a handful of topo maps, they faced snowstorms, irate ranchers, mule mishaps, a closed Grand Canyon, and the constant challenge of finding water. Their trek was a rebellion against convenience. 

Join us for a live podcast recording about the threats facing Arizona's public lands.

This event is part of the Center for Western Priorities' Keep Parks Public campaign. We'll be discussing the impacts of border wall construction on wildlife corridors and Indigenous sites, along with staffing and funding cuts at land management agencies and rollbacks of environmental protections, from Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge to Quitobaquito Springs.

We've brought together an expert panel to discuss these issues, including Matthew Nelson with the Arizona Trail Association, Russ McSpadden with the Center for Biological Diversity, and more to be announced soon! Aaron Weiss, Executive Director for the Center for Western Priorities and host of The Landscape podcast, will moderate the discussion.

After the panel, you'll have the chance to visit with representatives from these groups to learn more about fighting back against attacks on our public lands.

Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre, 738 N 5th Ave #131, Tucson, Arizona 85705

Podcast taping will begin promptly at 6:30.

Please RSVP and invite a friend or colleague who loves public lands! Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. All ages welcome.RSVP HERE