Laddie Cox, an Arizona Trail legend and American hero, passed away on May 31, 2026 at age 91. Laddie got involved in Arizona Trail work events in 2003 and over the next 20 years he built and maintained trail with care, led the first concerted effort to build gates at fence crossings statewide, and was a vital part of the […]

As a lifelong hiker, starting as a Boy Scout, David Burkett was thrilled at the launching of the Arizona Trail. He volunteered, helped build, and hiked the Trail. He proudly displays his AZT volunteer of the year award plaque. David had a long, active and happy life. He was born in Dimmitt, TX in 1936. He attended West Texas College […]

Stuart Wayne Dunn, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many, passed away on June 14th, 2025 at the age of 65. Son to Betty Dunn Hathaway and Curtis Alvin Dunn, Jr., Stu grew up in Yuma, Arizona. He graduated in 1977 from Yuma High School and attended the University of Arizona, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of […]

Matthew Ryan Lara, a devoted father and passionate outdoorsman, passed away tragically on December 13, 2023, at the age of 31. His life was defined by his deep connection to nature, particularly the breathtaking trails of Arizona, where he found peace, inspiration, and joy. Though Matthew was never able to take his 5-year-old son hiking with him, his hope to […]

Mason Lussow, a Marine Corps veteran, left our community unexpectedly on August 26, 2024 but his legacy of quiet strength and unwavering dedication to service will always be remembered. He was the beloved son of his mother, Ari Olsen, and father, Alex Lussow, an avid outdoorsman who instilled in Mason a deep love for nature and adventure from a very […]

Kactus Kickers Hiking Club 1969 – 2023 In memory of a long time Arizona hiking club, The Kactus Kickers, which was formed in 1969 by employees of a local Arizona corporation. Initially, membership was limited to employees of the corporation and their families but started welcoming others that were attracted to the club by a public website that was created […]

Laurie “Lulu” Martin ~ May 14th, 2023 Laurie entered this world on June 10, 1954 in Geneva, IL and peacefully passed into the next world on May 14, 2023 in Wickenburg, AZ. She was the youngest of Richard and Margaret Shewalter’s four children. Laurie moved to Arizona when she was 17 and spent 51 wonderful years as a pillar of […]

Marybeth M. Gardner 03/06/67 to 03/09/22. Marybeth was a devoted mother, wife and hiking partner. Hiking was a very large part of her life, and she loved to be out on the trails with her family. Arizona was always her favorite spot. Marybeth could be found wherever there was a trail or destination requiring a lot of challenging bushwacking! Marybeth […]

Phil Garcia 02/01/1968 – 09/25/2021 Phoenix, Arizona An avid hiker and trail steward, Phil Garcia enjoyed spending time in the outdoors of Arizona. Phil is survived by his wife Vikki, and children Cori and Wes. Phil was an avid traveler with his family, and loved hiking/backpacking, photography, DIY projects, and playing sand volleyball. He volunteered his time as a Phoenix Park Steward, […]

Connor David McKnight Born in Spokane, WA and resided in Flagstaff, AZ 7/11/1996 – 6/28/2021 Trail Name: Ragebow Charismatic, creative, and funny, Connor drew smiles across anyone’s face that met him with his disheveled hair, his 6’4″ stature, and his contagious smile. An enigma personified.  Conversations with Connor were vast and intricate, much like the landscapes he traveled across. His preferred conversations […]

Ralph Oscar “Roe” Erlandson, Jr, age 76, died November 15, 2019 in Tucson, AZ during an emergency surgery. Roe’s lifelong love of swimming, water skiing, and sailing began while growing up on a lake. He added to his outdoor activities with snow skiing, running, biking, and hiking. Roe accomplished many personal goals: completing the Boston Marathon, finishing the Hawaiian Ironman […]

Erin Margaret Taylor, 28, passed away on May 30, 2019. Erin was born in New Mexico and raised in Casa Grande, AZ. Erin was a loving mother of two children Lyanne and Jax of Casa Grande. She was a caring daughter and sister and will be remembered for her laughter, smile and determination. She loved to cook and bake, especially […]

Maureen Elizabeth (McGuire) Sipple passed away on March 22, 2017. She was born on April 10, 1949 in Mahanoy City, PA, and grew up in Landisville, PA. She moved to Henderson, NV in 1985 with her husband, Art, and two children. Maureen worked for American Airlines from 1989 until she retired in 2012. She moved to Payson, AZ with her […]

In May 2005, native Arizonan Mat Shannon completed his hike of the entire Arizona Trail. At that time, at the age of 72 years and 8 months he was the most senior person to hike the entire AZT. “It’s a great trail and not crowded” was his plain spoken words about the trail. Many hiked with Mat on his AZT trek but he was very proud that his […]

Former 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 […]

May 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 […]

Gregg 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.

Gladys 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 […]

Our 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 […]

William 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 […]

Marc 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 […]

Louis 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 […]

Reuben 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 […]

Bohannan, 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 […]

We 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 […]

Bruce 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 […]

Pete 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 […]

Robert 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 […]

Gabe 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 […]

The 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 […]