Gila River Flowing Fast

Be aware that the flow of the Gila River near the historic townsite of Cochran is established by releases from the San Carlos Dam upstream and, with seasonal runoff, is highly variable. When in doubt, don’t cross the Gila River at Cochran. Instead, drive to the Kelvin Access Trailhead or the Florence-Kelvin Highway Trailhead nearby.

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Caution for Equestrians

North of Walnut Spring the trail sharply descends and ascends 1,000 feet over a 1.8 mile horizontal distance. Equestrians have had problems in this steep area, the south side of which burned severely in 2019. Near the north end of this passage, the trail passes through rocky and narrow Cottonwood Canyon for 3 miles, and tends to suffer from the summer monsoon […]

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Washout near manzanita creek impassable for equestrians

A recent washout of the North Kaibab segment of the Arizona Trail within Grand Canyon National Park has presented an insurmountable obstacle for equestrians. The hazard is located just south of the Manzanita Creek Footbridge (south of the Manzanita Rest Area) at AZT mile 706.6. This is approximately 5.7 miles south of the North Kaibab Trailhead, and 1.4 miles north […]

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Reporting Trail Conditions

Did you know the Arizona Trail Association relies on you to understand current trail conditions? You’re the eyes, boots, wheels and hooves on the trail, and most of what we know about current trail conditions comes from trail users like you. That’s why we encourage you to communicate things like downed trees, blowouts from erosion, fallen signs, litter, bees, and […]

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Celebrating the Arizona Trail: A Dream Forged from History, Friendship and a Passion for the Outdoors

Flagstaff Business News (September 2, 2020) by Bonnie Stevens In the shade of a thriving alligator juniper tree in Buffalo Park on a sunny August day, Dr. John Hildebrand and historian Jim Babbitt sat on a polished rock bench dedicated to their friend, Dale Shewalter, founder of the Arizona Trail, and reminisced about the journey since the ‘70s when the […]

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11 Fantastic Things To Experience In Arizona

Travel Awaits (September 1, 2020) by Cindy Barks Truthfully, every season is gorgeous in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. In the spring and summer, the banks of babbling creeks erupt with wildflowers, and in the winter, the rugged peaks and sloping meadows are blanketed in sparkling white. But it is perhaps in autumn that the White Mountains are at […]

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Human remains found along Arizona Trail east of Tucson

Arizona Republic (August 24, 2020) by Salma Reyes Pima County officials discovered the body of a dead man along the Arizona Trail on Monday. The body was discovered near Redington Road just before noon by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department helicopter crew while conducting a routine training flight, according to a release from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The remains, recovered by search and […]

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3 Flagstaff summer hikes with mountain views and fields of flowers

Arizona Republic (August 20, 2020) by Mare Czinar It feels like everyone is heading to Arizona’s high country this summer, and no wonder. With record-breaking heat in Phoenix and people curtailing their activities because of the new coronavirus pandemic, a change of scenery is more refreshing than ever. Here are three Flagstaff hikes that are at their best in summer. The masses […]

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Outdoors Act

The Fountain Hills Times (August 12, 2020) by Congressman David Schweikert Arizonans know the importance of maintaining our national parks’ beauty and accessibility. Recently, congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act, legislation to improve infrastructure and access to our national parks and public lands, while also promoting new job growth. I am pleased to report this legislation has been signed […]

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A trail that exceeds expectations

Arizona Daily Sun (August 4, 2020) by Sam McManis here are no boring trails, only boring people. John Muir said that, I think. Or, if he didn’t, he should have. I entertained that thought — so, so deep and incisive — as I was traveling on the 5.7-mile Deer Hill Trail east of the Peaks, from Little Elden Springs Horse […]

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Great American Outdoors Act Signed Into Law

On August 4, the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law. This is the most important piece of conservation legislation in half a century! The Act provides full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which protect lands and waters Americans treasure most, and improves access to the outdoors for urban communities. The Act also dedicates […]

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Arizona Trail Association Discourages 2020 SOBO AZT Thru-Hikes and Thru-Rides

The Trek (July 30, 2020) by Zach Citing multiple trail closures with “no safe or reasonable detours,” in addition to Arizona being a COVID-19 hotspot, the Arizona Trail Association is discouraging both thru-hikes and thru-rides on the Arizona Trail for the remainder of 2020. Trail closures include: AZT Passages 10-12 through the Santa Catalina Mountains and Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bypass […]

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Congress Passes the Great American Outdoors Act

Today, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of the Great American Outdoors Act by an overwhelming majority (310–107). It is now on its way to be signed by the President, and within the next 10 days will become the most significant piece of conservation legislation in a generation. The Act provides full and permanent funding for the […]

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Crews begin widening road near Arizona Trail for border wall construction

Arizona Republic (July 21, 2020) by Rafael Carranza U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency overseeing the planning and construction of physical barriers along the Arizona-Mexico border, said work has begun to raze and widen a large swath of protected land within a national park to prepare for border wall construction. CBP released more details about the project and its […]

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10 Highs and 5 Lows from My 2018 Arizona Trail Thru-Hike

The Trek (July 17, 2020) by Jean Taggart It’s July 2020 and COVID is still upon us. Summer has arrived, the weather is warm, and some folks have even resumed thru-hikes. The Arizona Trail (AZT) beckons. But the official word on the Arizona Trail website is as follows: “The CDC currently recommends all Americans avoid discretionary travel. If access to the Arizona […]

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AZT Water Report Now Available Online

Water is the most important resource along the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. Where to find it, how reliable the source may be, and the quality of the water is vital to any long-distance trail adventure on foot, mountain bike or equine. Working with our friends at Atlas Guides, we are proud to introduce the Arizona Trail Water Report. This […]

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Adventures in Aridity Along the Arizona Trail

Arizona Daily Sun (July 14, 2020) by Sam McManis Let’s face it, not all of the 800-mile Arizona Trail is Instagram-worthy. No, not even the Flagstaff segments. Jewel that it is in these parts, the AZT is not all stately Ponderosa pines and quaking aspens and brisk alpine ascents. By necessity and design, some of the trail that runs through […]

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Temporary Trail Closure due to Border Wall Construction

Temporary Trail Closure Due to a large Homeland Security based construction project along the US-Mexico border, the National Park Service is implementing public use closure at Coronado National Memorial, effective at 0001 hours on December 1, 2019. Pursuant to the authority contained in the 16 United States Code 3, and Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, sections 1.5 […]

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Border wall construction to restrict access to the Arizona Trail

Arizona Republic (July 10, 2020) by Rafael Carranza Preparations to begin installing 30-foot steel bollards through pristine mountain wilderness along the Arizona-Mexico border south of Sierra Vista will begin as early as Monday, according to conservationists critical of border wall construction in protected federal lands. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Thursday they would close access starting on July 13 to a popular […]

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Arizona Trail Southern Trailhead Closed During Border Wall Construction

KJZZ (July 10, 2020) by Michel Marizco The Arizona Trail’s start along the U.S.-Mexico border will be closed for months beginning Monday so the Trump administration can finish building a border wall in the area. The U.S. government has several ongoing border wall projects throughout Arizona. Some along tribal lands, others across rivers and now it’s about to begin a two-mile […]

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Polles Fire 61% Contained

Payson Roundup (July 9, 2020) by Alexis Bechman After winds initially pushed the Polles Fire northeast for a few tense days, crews on Thursday reported marked containment on the 572-acre fire west of Payson. As of Thursday morning, the fire was 61% contained. There has been no reported growth on the fire since Sunday evening. After a helicopter pilot was […]

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Arizona Trail Closed For Border Wall Construction Within Coronado National Memorial

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced their plans today to construct two miles of border barriers through the Huachuca Mountains within Coronado National Memorial and across the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Beginning Monday, July 13 the southernmost two miles of the Trail will be closed in the interest of public safety during construction activities. Click here to send a pre-formatted […]

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Trump’s Border Wall Threatens Arizona Trail

June 8, 2020 (Wisconsin Gazette) The Trump administration wants to build a border wall across the terminus of the 800-mile long, federally protected Arizona Trail. A 30-ft steel barrier could soon rip through the rugged Huachuca Mountains, stopping migrating jaguars and ocelots in their tracks and changing the experience of thousands of hikers forever. Watch Matthew Nelson of the Arizona […]

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