Reports on 2018 trail work and other ATA events. For years 2017 and newer, select from the News Category in the right sidebar. For event reports older than 2017, please see the Event Report Archive page.
The 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 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 moreA noted author of several popular Superstition hiking books recently reported that the sign located where the AZT joins (or leaves) FR 650, a mile south of Rogers Trough, showed the wrong trail number. The ATA commissioned a new sign and volunteers installed it today. Temperatures were climbing as the group made their way up the FR 172, never a […]
Read moreVolunteers installed four of the iconic AZT steel gates on the north end of the project. Forest closures threatened the effort but the crew was able to get the work done within the time allowed, although extra water and several fire extinguishers were added to the equipment list. Six more gates are planned for this season but will have to wait […]
Read moreWork resumed today on the Happy Jack Single Track project with installation of a kiosk at Gooseberry Spring TH, and relocation of the steel AZT Sign from Pine Spring TH to a new TH at Bargaman Park. An ATA Volunteer Vacation completed 1.7 miles of new trail last season, and things are starting to roll for this season. The HJST […]
Read moreWe coordinated two trail work events in Southern Arizona to commemorate Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, and to finish some much needed trail rehabilitation at Enzenberg Canyon in the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains (AZT Passage 5). Saturday, April 21, we coordinated with a high school group from the Coronado Youth Corps (CYC) to repair a gate latch […]
Read moreThe Arizona Trail Association has two proven strategies for significant trail improvement—the “cast-of-thousands” one-time work event and multiple, regularly scheduled smaller events. Mazatzal Mountains Regional Steward John Matteson organized the latter this year, taking on several tasks along the trail within the region but adventuring beyond as the opportunity arose. A core group of volunteers joined in this year and […]
Read moreThis year’s TSI Module on Stone Maintenance Structures was held near Flagstaff on the Lakeview Connector Trail on Passage 30, Anderson Mesa. This connector trail was built by the ATA to allow users to access the Lakeview Campground, and to allow campground users better access to the trail, which is just at the top of the mesa beyond a short […]
Read moreThe skills training offered by the ATA in partnership with American Conservation Experience (ACE) has become hugely popular, and many classes are selling out well in advance. Such was the case with the Module 1&2 training scheduled for Superior on March 17th. Fifteen volunteers gathered near the Picketpost Trailhead to learn about trail context, how to study the effect of […]
Read moreBrandon N. of Scout Troop 938 in Surprise, AZ completed his Eagle Scout project today. He organized a work event to replace the four deteriorated trail signs at Oak Spring. ATA provided the signs and equipment and Brandon marshaled the forces needed for the work. The group met at the trailhead on Hard Scrabble Road, carefully sorted tools and gear […]
Read moreColonel Devin Rehab Project-The Last Hurrah! Several years ago Arizona Trail Association embarked on an ambitious project to realign the trail off a utility road to a scenic walk through the woods. A great deal of preparation and back office work came to fruition in 2017 with a nice grant through Arizona State Parks and enthusiastic support from volunteers. The project […]
Read moreOur Spring Steward Conference was a great success. Eighteen stewards from all over Arizona gathered at Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Vail to celebrate stewardship and learn from local experts. The training included a half-day first aid session taught by Todd Nardi; Aaron Seifert presenting on the GIS maps available to Stewards; and an overview of the Temporal Gulch Reroute […]
Read moreIt’s fun to build new trail, especially when recent rains have softened the desert floor! Nineteen SaddleBrooke hikers braved 30-40 degree temperatures to develop a more user friendly re-route of the Oracle Passage of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Teams dug out shrubs and smoothed the trail tread for a better hiking, biking and equestrian experience. SaddleBrooke hikers cheered a […]
Read moreJanuary 17, 2018 Nineteen intrepid SaddleBrooke hikers braved a chilly morning to improve trails in Oracle State Park. A special effort was made to clear the trails of sticker bushes and obstacles for runners participating in the upcoming Oracle Rumble for the benefit the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Lots of excellent work was accomplished in 3 hours, with one group […]
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