To determine the Best of Tucson each year, readers of the Tucson Weekly are asked to vote for their favorites — from taco shops to barbers to outdoor adventures. In the Best of Outdoors 2022 category, readers named the Arizona Trail the Best Backpacking Trail! We are proud that of all the amazing backpacking options near Tucson, the AZT remains the […]
Read moreHJ News (October 14, 2022) by Shawn Harrison Michael McKnight is at it again. The Cache Valley ultra runner is taking on the Arizona Trail, beginning this weekend. While he wants to beat the FKT (fastest known time) for the 800-mile trail that runs from the Utah-Arizona border to the Mexico-Arizona border, McKnight is also running for Marianne. He wants […]
Read moreTrail Runner (October 14, 2022) by Drew Dawson In possibly the first of its kind, two ultrarunners will go head-to-head for the fastest known time (FKT). Literally. Starting Saturday, October 15, at 8 a.m. Arizona Time, Mike McKnight will head south and Ben Light will head north on the 800-mile Arizona Trail in pursuit of the FKT. To do that, they’ll […]
Read moreThe recently completed Walnut Canyon Reroute is officially open! This important initiative to take a few miles of the AZT off old forest roads south of Flagstaff, was a successful collaboration between the Arizona Trail Association, Coconino National Forest, Arizona Conservation Corps, Arizona State Parks & Trails, Flagline Trails, and awesome volunteers. If you haven’t experienced this new ribbon of […]
Read morePatagonia Regional Times (October 6, 2022) by Stu Williams and John Murphy Trouble continues to brew in the Santa Rita Mountains. Rosemont Copper, operating there since 2014, has shifted its plan of operation from the east side of the mountains to the west to dodge federal court rulings, hoping to take advantage of rubber-stamping state agencies and local apathy. Rosemont Copper continues […]
Read moreGila Herald (September 27, 2022) This month, staff from the office of Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) joined a volunteer forest conservation effort with Arizona Trail Association’s Veteran Engagement & Trail Stewardship (VETS), a program intended to give veterans the opportunity to practice conservation on Arizona’s public lands while building healthy, service-focused bonds within the veteran community. Derek Duba, a Wounded […]
Read moreWhite Mountain Independent (September 20, 2022) Copperstate Farms, a vertically integrated Arizona cannabis operator, today announced a community partnership with the Arizona Trail Association (ATA), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment. As a Premier Legacy Partner, Copperstate Farms is donating $20,000 to […]
Read moreazmarijuana.com (September 18, 2022) by Dan Kingston Copperstate Farms, a vertically integrated Arizona cannabis operator, announced a community partnership with the Arizona Trail Association (ATA), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment. As a Premier Legacy Partner, Copperstate Farms is donating $20,000 to support new […]
Read moreThe Trek (September 14, 2022) by J. Taylor Bell Oh, those halcyon days of knowing exactly what was necessary on a thru-hike and what was absolutely frivolous and decadent. Simpler times they were, friends. But they seem to be well behind us these days. And if you don’t believe me, then strap in for this very toasty ride. Many things […]
Read moreThe ATA is proud to announce a partnership with Copperstate Farms, a vertically integrated Arizona cannabis operator. As a Premier Legacy Partner, Copperstate Farms is donating $20,000 to support new trail construction and maintenance. “Copperstate Farms is proud to be a locally owned company, and we love this state,” said Fife Symington IV, CEO and co-founder at Copperstate Farms. “Arizona […]
Read moreDuring the summer of 2020, the Mangum Fire scorched 71,450 acres on the Kaibab National Forest and significantly impacted three miles of the Arizona Trail within Orderville Canyon along Passage 42 (Kaibab Plateau North). Since the trail was located within the canyon bottom and the fire burned at high intensity, this segment of AZT has been closed for two years […]
Read moreThe Discoverer Blog (Autumn 2022) Autumn is the best time of year in the Southwest. While dropping temperatures mean breaking out the sweaters and heaters everywhere else in the country, in this corner of the U.S. it means the weather is just right for some outdoor exploring. While most minds immediately jump to the Grand Canyon when thinking of Arizona, […]
Read morePayson Roundup (August 11, 2022) by Michele Nelson Arizona Trail Association volunteers recently have prepped 4,000 feet of steep sections of the Highline Trail for realignment as part of the restoration initiative. The removal of dense manzanita not only allows for upgrading and improving the Highline Trail but also Passage 26 of the Arizona Trail. “There were lots of small […]
Read moreWilliams-Grand Canyon News (August 3, 2022) The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee considered and offered amendments on the Grand Canyon Protection Act, a bill that will protect about 1 million acres of public lands near Grand Canyon National Park from uranium mining. The Act would make permanent a ban on mining that was enacted administratively in 2012. This is […]
Read moreWilliams-Grand Canyon News (August 3, 2022) Over the weekend of July 16-17, Arizona Trail Association (ATA) volunteers and staff partnered with NPS Trails and Backcountry Information Center staff to remove fallen trees and clear the Arizona Trail corridor between the Widforss Trailhead and the North Rim Entrance Station. Each of the four saw teams were captained by an experienced and […]
Read moreThe Travel (July 21, 2022) by Aaron Spray There are currently eleven national scenic trails in the United States – almost all of them are well over 100 miles long. One of the trails is the Arizona National Scenic Trail which completely traverses the whole north-south length of Arizona. It has been designated a National Scenic Trail since 2009. A […]
Read morePayson Roundup (July 22, 2022) by Myndi Brogdon Adventurer Gary Morris, 75, has completed the 800-mile-long Arizona Trail. A Strawberry resident and retired Pine-Strawberry Fire Department chief, Morris is an outdoorsman to his core and continues to add miles to his pedometer. About 100 people have completed the Arizona Trail every year since 2015, as they only completed it in […]
Read moreArizona Republic (July 22, 2022) by Mare Czinar Shady and cool, Passage 31 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail is a satisfying respite from summer heat. The 17.9-mile segment of the 800+-mile, state-traversing route southeast of Flagstaff drops off the plateau lakes region of Anderson Mesa and heads into pine-oak woodlands in Coconino National Forest. Also known as the Walnut […]
Read moreThe Trek (June 28, 2022) by Richard It was a disappointing start to the day. I’d chosen my hotel, in part, because of its free breakfast, but they wouldn’t be serving anything that morning. Oh well. Some days your Pop-Tarts have no frosting. Other days, you find an extra tortilla in the pack. The trail giveth, and the trail taketh […]
Read moreDue to loss of chlorination at Roaring Springs, visitors traveling within the Inner Canyon north of the Colorado River need to treat all potable water sources with a water filtration system. This includes: Bright Angel Campground Phantom Ranch Cottonwood Campground Manzanita Rest Area Roaring Springs Supai Tunnel North Kaibab Trailhead In addition, waterline issues between Roaring Springs and the North […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (June 26, 2022) by Larry Hendricks I lean back against a log and listen to the ponderosas tell stories to the land. The stellar jays and crows share secrets in a language I want to understand. I count flower petals and pine needles that bounce on the breeze. The dog pants and laps cool water from my […]
Read moreWe are excited to share the news that a $250,000 appropriation for the Arizona Trail Fund was included in the State of Arizona’s 2023 budget! Thanks to your support and advocacy, we did it!!! This funding will allow Arizona State Parks to hire conservation corps and state approved trail work professionals to accomplish priority maintenance and construction projects on the […]
Read moreArizona Republic (June 21, 2022) by Mare Czinar At the tail end of the twin reservoirs of Upper and Lower Lake Mary, an airy draw closes in on the murky meanders of Walnut Creek. Cutting through dry stubble and emergent grasses, the entrenched creek course snakes south through coniferous woodlands in Coconino National Forest. Earthen dams on the creek contain […]
Read moreThe Trek (June 21, 2022) by Richard According to the weather report, temperatures in the Phoenix metro area were 10 degrees above normal. Meanwhile, about 30 miles to the northeast, I was walking a dirt road through the Four Peaks Wilderness. The road’s elevation is about 4000 feet above that of Phoenix, so the temperature was actually pretty comfortable. The […]
Read moreArizona Daily Sun (May 22, 2022) by Larry Hendricks I lean back against a log and listen to the ponderosas tell stories to the land. The stellar jays and crows share secrets in a language I want to understand. I count flower petals and pine needles that bounce on the breeze. The dog pants and laps cool water from my […]
Read moreThe Trek (June 14, 2022) by Richard The town of Kearny has a reputation for being one of the friendliest “Gateway Communities” on the Arizona Trail. In my opinion, its reputation is well deserved. I didn’t have to wait for long beside Highway 177 before a local resident (thanks, Frank!) stopped to give me a ride. He dropped me off […]
Read moreVeloNews (june 10, 2022) by Betsy Welch Pivot Cycles, the Arizona-based bike brand, has announced a multi-year partnership with The Cyclist’s Menu (TCM) in Patagonia, Arizona. The relationship between Pivot and TCM will focus on gravel and sustainable recreation development in the borderlands region of southern Arizona. The Cyclist’s Menu was founded in 2014 by Heidi and Zander Ault. For nearly […]
Read moreThe Trek (June 7, 2022) by Richard Even at lower elevations, views from the Arizona Trail were impressive – there were no pesky trees to get in the way. There was also nowhere to hide from the sun, so I’d get up at least half an hour before sunrise, and take less than an hour to break camp. By the […]
Read moreState budget negotiations are happening TODAY, and we need you to contact your state representatives and senators to advocate for the Arizona Trail Fund. Will you take just a few minutes to call the three individuals who represent you within the Arizona State Legislature? Find your state reps here: https://www.azleg.gov/findmylegislator/ When you call, please let them know: 1) you’re a […]
Read moreThe Radavist (May 24, 2022) by Lael Wilcox & Rugile Kaladyte April 20, 2022 around 11pm at mile 745 I’m flat on my back, tucked behind the two-story pit toilets at the Manzanita Rest Area on the North Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon on the ninth night of my Arizona Trail time trial. My bike is disassembled and strapped […]
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