Payson Roundup (April 9, 2019) by Keith Morris Margaret de Hesse knows a thing or two about distance running. We’re not talking marathons either. No, longer than that. “I’m an ultrarunner,” said de Hesse. “These are typically all trail races in the U.S. and internationally of at least 50 miles. There are many 50-kilometer (31.24 miles) and 100-K (62.5 miles) […]
Read moreExploring the Arizona Trail with Matt Nelson (May 1, 2019) by Lori the Explorer Today’s guest is Matt Nelson, Executive Director of the Arizona Trail Association. Matt has a passion for the mountains, being outdoors and providing opportunities for the next generation to become adventurers and stewards of the land. The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles across Arizona from Mexico […]
Read moreVisit Tucson Magazine (2019) Hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and equestrians — an adventure of a lifetime awaits you on the Arizona National Scenic Trail. This non-motorized path, part of the National Trails System, stretches 800 miles from Mexico to Utah. It has numerous access points, allowing you to choose your own adventure — whether it’s a day trip, an […]
Read moreKVOA-Tucson (January 11, 2019) by Jeff Beamish It’s a gateway to the Arizona Trail and honors one of the lives lost in the January 8th tragedy. The Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead resides at Davidson Canyon on Tucson’s southeast side. Part trail, part memorial, complete with namesake, mural and one of Gabe’s poems etched in stone. Within the trailhead: a 32 mile […]
Read moreThe Arizona Trail Association, with Bureau of Land Management funding, just relocated 0.8 miles of the trail south of Florence. The trail passed very close to a key water source which raised concerns from the grazing permittee, and BLM had committed to eventually moving the trail. Environmental clearances were finished just days before the funding expired, so this week was […]
Read moreThe Tonto National Forest recently ordered two AZT gates and the usual gang installed them today. These are number 70 and 71! It was a multi-day effort though, given the logistics of getting the materials to the remote locations. One gate went a mile west of Cross F trailhead, and the other was south of Sunflower, neither of which were […]
Read moreFor many years a group of dedicated volunteers, based primarily in Tucson, has kept the Arizona Trail, and others, free of deadfall, a major maintenance chore on the Arizona Trail. To do this safely, the Forest Service requires that everyone is trained and certified every three years; 2018 was the year. Zac Ribbing, an enthusiastic crosscut saw aficionado now with the […]
Read moreHikers reported trail damage at the wash crossing immediately south of Picketpost TH. The creeks there flash flooded during summer storms, deepening the wash a couple feet or more, and creating a dangerous drop-off. And not far away, the Forest Service needed help with a gate on the LOST relocation project in Arnett Canyon. With the drop in temperatures the crew […]
Read moreBetter Homes and Gardens (October 2018) by Marty Munson Happy 50th anniversary to the National Trails System! Soak in nature, experience American history, and get exercise with a visit to one of the thousands of trails across the country. Arizona Trail The 800 miles link deserts, mountains and forests. The northern section includes a stretch along the Grand Canyon. You’ll […]
Read moreRocks removed between spring box and rock wall exposing clear water spring. The new collector box is located directly below the large rock left of the tree in the center of the photo. The cavity between the collector box opening and the spring source was filled with small rocks. These rocks and the collector box were […]
Read moreAgriculture.com (May 2, 2018) by Lisa Prater Mustangs on a Mission, an epic six-month horseback ride from Mexico to Canada, was featured in the April 2017 issue of Successful Farming magazine (read article). The ride is the brainchild of Sara Sanderson, who was inspired by a 2015 documentary, Unbranded, about four men who took a similar journey to bring awareness […]
Read moreThe February 2018 issue of The Desert Leaf features an article on the fastest known hikers on the Arizona Trail. Read the full article here.
Read moreKVOA.com Alyx Dote A high school senior hiked 800 miles alone to raise money for charity. Brady Maghran, 17, is a student at BASIS Oro Valley. As part of his senior project, he hiked the Arizona Trail by himself to benefit the Southern Arizona Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. [To read the rest of this article, click here.]
Read moreFormer state lawmaker Carolyn Allen passed away on Saturday, August 27th, 2016. The Scottsdale resident, 78, served 16 years in the state Legislature, including a term as Republican majority leader in the House of Representatives. She retired in 2010 and continued working on land preservation and environmental issues.Senator Allen led the legislation to create the state’s funding program for the […]
Read moreMay the long time sun Shine upon you, All love surround you, And the pure light within you Guide your way on. kundalini yoga – farewell blessing Dear Sean, its been 2 years…your Mom and Dad have been spending more time outdoors..and out on the trails. I can tell your Mom has discovered what you were so passionate about. She […]
Read moreGregg was a kind, loving, intelligent and honorable man that left us much too early. He will be present in every mile we walk, observe with us every snake, rejoice with us at the sight of every soaring hawk and live in our hearts forevermore.
Read moreGladys Comstock was born in 1902 at the celebrated Tallac Hotel, in Lake Tahoe, CA. From the time she was a small child, nature and adventure were in her heart. She learned to track and hunt at a very young age. She became an avid hiker, skilled horsewoman, published photographer, championship diver, sharp shooter, and accomplished artist.Like Isabella Greenway, the […]
Read moreOur 20 years together have come to an end. Evolving from a green broke spook into a solid trail horse picking up the mantel left by Wildfire. Possessing the will and heart to assist those in need, a loving and caring mare of her foal, Silk. Who true to her name would stop and look gazing outward allowing me to […]
Read moreWilliam F. “Bill” Krieger (7/8/50-3/28/15) began hiking the Arizona Trail with his son, Louis Krieger (9/28/78-6/22/14) on May 24, 2010. They started at the Mexico border, and each year would hike a substantial segment of the trail together. Before Louis’ passing in 2014, they were able to complete over 350 miles of the Arizona trail together. Both Bill and Louis […]
Read moreMarc Buckhout, 12/8/77 to 8/2/14, our first son and my hiking partner for our adventure on the Arizona Trail. Marc had just graduated in 3 years from Northern Arizona University and I had discovered On the Arizona Trail by Tighe and Moran and off handedly made the comment, “we should do that someday”. My wife Karen, the organized one of our family […]
Read moreLouis Krieger (9/28/78-6/22/14) began hiking the Arizona Trail with his father, William “Bill” Krieger (7/8/50-3/28/15) on May 24, 2010. They started at the Mexico border, and each year would hike a substantial segment of the trail together. Before Louis’ passing in 2014, they were able to complete over 350 miles of the Arizona trail together. Both Louis and Bill considered […]
Read moreReuben was born in Brooklyn, NY and settled in Phoenix permanently with his bride, Gloria, after being stationed at Luke Field during WWII. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Along with being a lifelong aviation enthusiast, Reuben was an avid hiker of Arizona trails. He deeply appreciated the beauty of the Arizona desert and was dedicated to preserving […]
Read moreBohannan, Robert C. “Bob” Jr. Age 95, of Scottsdale and Flagstaff, AZ, passed away peacefully on January 30 after a brief illness. A man of deep patriotism and conservative political principles, Bob Bohannan had a proud record of business achievements and public service. He was president of Arizona Mortgage and Investment Company during its 32 years of operation beginning in […]
Read moreWe Remember Chuck Williams This outdoor enthusiast, hiker and avid photographer volunteered an incredible number of hours for the Arizona Trail Association. Chuck and his camera became a regular part of “Close the Gap” weekends on the Arizona Trail beginning in 2008; he continued to be active until August, 2013. ATA has a treasure trove of his outstanding photographs on […]
Read moreBruce Allen Blackburn died July 5, 2013, one day after his favorite holiday, surrounded by family at his sister’s home in Rescue, California. He will be sadly missed by all who loved him. Bruce was born March 6, 1941, to Robert and Lillian Blackburn in Chicago, Illinois. He was an inveterate traveler who photographed, biked, hiked, and kayaked his way […]
Read morePete Joyce – Arizona Trail Steward, Fire on the Rim committee member, crew leader on the new bike trail in Pine – passed away with his boots on and his pick in his hand on March 30, 2013, under a tree alongside the trail that he loved surrounded by the beauty of nature and all of his friends. Rest in […]
Read moreRobert Paul King 65, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on March 30, 2011. A visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 9th at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 E. Greenway Road. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 A.M. at Shadow Mountain Mortuary. Donations may be made to Arizona Trail Association, P.O. Box 36736, Phoenix, AZ 85037 or www.aztrail.org. Military honors […]
Read moreGabe Zimmerman, the director of community outreach for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, died January 8, 2011 in the shooting outside a Tucson supermarket. Zimmerman handled thousands of issues raised by constituents out of the congresswoman’s offices in Tucson and Sierra Vista, and was one of the Giffords staffers who organized many public events where voters could meet Giffords and talk […]
Read moreThe grand adventure has come to an end. His dignified, commanding, ever curious nature made the trails we traveled whether easy or extreme, visible or faint, fun to explore. His leadership and presence gave the inexperienced confidence to follow. The Arizona Trail nearly complete will now be left to another. Friendships and memories remain. Wildfire, my Tennessee Walking Horse of […]
Read moreH. Starr Curtis was a geologist by profession and an avid naturalist, astronomer, bird-watcher and hiker. Almost a life-long resident of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, he shared his love of the outdoors, and particularly of the lesser-known beauties of the southwest landscape, with his family, coworkers, friends, church community, and boy scouts. Part of his legacy is the love […]
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