Arizona Daily Sun (August 11, 2020) by Sam McManis Mornings after monsoons, it’s best to choose your trails carefully lest you fall prey to the mistake I made last month and get stuck in the very definition of the word quagmire. Now, let me preface this by saying there are many trails in greater Flagstaff that can handle a little […]
Read moreYesterday I spent a few hours exploring the Arizona Trail in southern Arizona. Ocotillo flowers created a bright red canopy while yellow brittlebush and pink penstemon decorated the desert floor. Everyone I encountered along the trail was smiling and enjoying a beautiful spring day outdoors. The trail was in great condition, and I noticed recent signs of tread repair and […]
Read moreAZT Thru-Hiker/Thru-Rider IMPORTANT Updates (March 18, 2020) If you are currently thru-hiking or thru-riding the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) then you’re probably in one of the safest places imaginable. The AZT is an ideal place to practice social distancing to help fight the spread of COVID-19. However, recent events locally and nationally mean your long-distance adventure is about to […]
Read moreThe Trek (March 16, 2020) by Katie Kommer You’re doing the socially responsible thing, but you’re going crazy. Hopping between the couch and bed might be nice for an afternoon or one lazy weekend, but after a few days the stir-crazy creeps in. If you’re longing for adventure while doing your civic duty and socially distancing, these documentaries bring all […]
Read moreClick here to listen to a podcast with Dr. Eric Marcotte, National Champion road cyclist and integrative health practitioner, and Matthew Nelson, Executive Director of the Arizona Trail Association. Dr. Marcotte talks with Mr. Nelson about public lands advocacy, volunteerism, and what it takes to protect and maintain an 800-mile multi-use trail across some of the most rugged terrain in […]
Read morePhoenix Magazine (October 2019) by Mare Czinar Following his May 2017 threat cancer diagnosis, Mesa resident Wyatt Roer resolved he wasn’t going to let the disease squash his plans to hike the entire 800-mile Arizona Trail. “My family and friends knew that this was a rehab goal,” the retired earth-moving operations supervisor says. “Even though the radiation treatment lasted for […]
Read moreAZ Central (August 29, 2019) by Mare Czinar You can’t get there from here,” my hiking partner told a confused pair of trekkers who asked us for directions to an Arizona Trail junction. He gently kicked my shin to signal he was joking as the couple fumbled with a map. Waiting a beat to satisfy his warped sense of humor, […]
Read morePayson 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 […]
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