March 10, 2017 Volunteers installed the first “stretch-limo” version of the iconic ATA gates in a remote location south of Ripsey Wash. BLM requested a wire vehicle gate be replaced so ATA commissioned the distinctive metal gate with the AZT emblem, which provides reassurance to trail users that they are on the correct route as well as a permanent, easy-to-operate […]

March 3, 2017 Twelve American Express Serve2Gether volunteers came out for a half-day maintenance project on AZT Passage 15b near the Florence-Kelvin Highway Trailhead. Four ATA volunteer crew leaders along with Zach McDonald and Wendy Lotze provided support. After a thorough safety talk, four crews split off – two headed northbound and two southbound to tackle various issues on the […]

February 15, 2017 Arizona Trail Volunteers Brave Cold and Wind on Trail Work Event Volunteers from SaddleBrooke Hiking Club are hearty. Twenty one hikers joined forces with Zach McDonald and Shawn Redfield of the Arizona Trail Association and Gary Faulkenberry of Oracle State Park to improve almost 2 miles of the Arizona Trail north of American Flag Ranch TH. It […]

February 12, 2017 A partnership between the Southern Arizona Hiking Club (SAHC), the ATA and REI – what a powerful team! The southern portion of passage 8 leaves the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead and follows an old utility easement road down into the bottom of Davidson Canyon. The descent has always been steep and subject to regular erosion, and the final […]

February 11-12, 2017 Volunteers from Tucson, Nutrioso, San Tan Valley and Albuquerque, NM met near the historic town of Cochran on the south side of the Gila River. The goals were to monitor the AZT for Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii) and remove every living plant from the trail corridor, in addition to conducting minor trail maintenance along the way. After […]

After twice postponing for adverse weather, Eagle Scout candidate Erik S. completed his project at Mormon Grove TH today. The 2012 Sunflower Fire burned the corrals at the TH, leaving quite a bit of unsightly and decaying debris. The project involved dismantling the remains and removing the debris, raking the site to remove nails that might injure animals, installation of […]

AZT Super Gate number 35 was installed today, at the very remote passage 16/17 junction. Members of Tonto Recreation Alliance — the 4WD club from Phoenix — who have helped out before provided the grueling 2.5 hour access out FR4 and then over undesignated roads to the site. All hands involved today are quite experienced with these heavy steel structures, […]

Large Group of Volunteers Work on the Arizona Trail in January The Arizona National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Utah is a continual work in progress. The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club has adopted the Oracle Passage which goes along the east side of Oracle State Park. In January twenty seven hikers from SaddleBrooke improved a significant portion of the trail. Gary […]