Arizona Daily Sun (January 26, 2020) by Anne McGuffey “Can I go to sleep now?” That’s what Helen Galerakis most wanted, after running the final stretch to the Mexico border. I was with Helen on that mild afternoon in early November, along with Rob Krar, her ultra-running coach. Bright sunshine and puffy clouds graced the Sonoran high desert landscape. She […]

Arizona Daily Sun (January 19, 2020) by Anne McGuffey I woke at 4:30 a.m. to discover the bivvy sack was torn open down the side — no wonder I’d been feeling cold. After four hours of sleeping on the ground beside Helen Galerakis, it was clear the support crew wouldn’t reach us at this challenging access point near Superior in […]

Saddlebag Notes (December 27, 2019) by Seana Kobak Zach MacDonald, Assistant Trail Director for the Arizona Trail Association, had big plans for the work session on Wednesday, November 20. He was finally going to replace the rickety wire fence at the culvert where the AZT crosses under Oracle (route 77) at Tyger Mine Road. Zach told our Saddlebrooke crew, “I’ve […]

KJZZ (January 3, 2020) by Lauren Gilger LAUREN GILGER: 2019 was not the year of nuanced takes on life in Phoenix and Arizona in general. There were headlines like 100 Degrees For Days: The Looming Phoenix Heat Wave That Could Harm Thousands from Vox and As Phoenix Heats Up, The Night Comes Alive from the New York Times that, despite some lovely photography, really seemed […]

Saddlebag Notes (November 29, 2019) by Elizabeth Wheeler SaddleBrooke hikers went on a “Search and Destroy” mission to remove catclaw bushes growing on the southern end of the Oracle Passage of the Arizona Trail on Wednesday, October 16. Catclaw, an aggressive bush that grows quickly, can bloody arms and legs of hikers and bike riders who travel the trail. In […]

Saddlebag Notes (November 29, 2019) by Elizabeth Wheeler On Saturday, October 12, the Saddlebrooke Hiking Club participated in the statewide ‘Arizona Trail in a Day’ hike, an event designed to promote our 800+ mile hiking trail that spans the state from the Mexico border north to Utah. Karrie Kressler, Community Program Coordinator of the Arizona Trail Association reports the following […]

White Mountain Independent (Nov. 29, 2019) by Peter Aleshire Let’s thin and burn a million acres. And let’s do that in the heart of some of the most heavily used national forests in the country. Count on lots of logging trucks, processing sites and smoke. Now, maybe that doesn’t make it sound like treating the forest will improve the weekend […]

AZ Family (November 13, 2019) by Lindsey Reiser An Englishman broke the record for the fastest time on the Arizona Trail. It extends from the Utah-Arizona border to our border with Mexico. Most people take their time, 40 to 50 days, with rest days in between. But not Joshua Perry. He completed the 800-mile trail is 14 days, 12 hours, and 21 minutes. […]

Arizona Daily Sun (November 5, 2019) by Sam McManis Off the dusty, wind-swept Arizona Trail, out of the oft-harsh elements over 800 miles that range from desert heat to forested chill and critters from rattlesnakes to rutting elks, Ray Dunton sinks with a sigh into a comfy easy chair in an elegant Kachina Village living room. He cleans up nicely, […]

Payson Round-Up (November 1, 2019) by Alexis Bechman   The day started with fears Pine-Strawberry Fire Chief Gary Morris was either injured or dead after going missing on the Arizona Trail and ended with cheers and relief after Morris sent an unexpected text message Wednesday. No one had heard from Morris since Monday afternoon when he sent his wife a […]

Payson Round Up (October 22, 2019) by Alexis Bechman There is still time to catch a glimpse of fall color in Rim Country. For those of us who didn’t grow up in a four-season climate like Payson, watching the leaves turn every year is a thrilling experience. One of the defining trees of fall in the high country is the […]

Arizona Daily Sun (October 22, 2019)   On the weekend of October 5 and 6, the Arizona Trail Association held a trail steward workshop at the Nordic Village (aka the Nordic Center), which generously provided free camping for the event on its gorgeous property. In addition, the Nordic Village donated use of its Nature Discovery Center, a spacious yurt with […]

The Globe and Mail (October 15, 2019) by Christina Palassio   A visit to the Grand Canyon that doesn’t involve elbowing your way through crowds to get a view, or booking a year in advance to get a room? Yes, it’s possible. Just shift your sights to the North Rim. Only 10 per cent of the six million tourists who […]

AZfamily.com (October 8, 2019) by Kim Quintero   PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — Arizona is one of the prettiest places in the world, and this weekend you’ll have the chance to join people of all demographics in exploring our wondrous state. Many who live here might not know that there is a trail, 800 miles long, that stretches across our entire state […]

The Apache Juntion and Gold Canyon News (September 30, 2019) by Charlie Goff The Woodbury Fire primarily in the Superstition Wilderness Area (SWA), captured the interest of the entire state as it burned nearly 124,000 acres only a few months ago. Now that it is over, just how was it confined almost totally to the Superstition Wilderness Area —and without […]

Havasu News (September 20, 2019) by Melanie Radzick Fat drops of rain tap out a mournful melody on the nylon ceiling stretched over my head. Peeking out from under a thick down quilt, I watch tiny rivulets of water drip down the sides of my tent and sigh. To read the rest of the article, click here.

Payson Round Up (October 1, 2019) Imagine hiking, biking or riding 800 miles in a single day. Sound impossible? It’s not – if you volunteer to cover one of nearly 100 separate sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT), along with others who each travel different sections of the route, which extends from the Mexico border to the Utah […]

Tucson Weekly (September 26, 2019) by Jeff Gardner   Dinner and a Dip. Celebrate the Arizona Trail Association’s 25th anniversary with a party and dinner at the AC Hotel rooftop lounge. This quarter-century party (or quadranscentennial, for you fancy folks) includes a buffet dinner catered by Charro Steak and Charro Del Rey. Pueblo Vida Brewing will also be on site […]

The Fountain Hills Times (September 27, 2019) Over the next two months, the world can join Fountain Hills Eagle Scout and Arizona State University graduate, Jacob Eberspacher in hiking and backpacking the 803-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. A recent graduate from the School of Sustainability at ASU, Eberspacher said he hopes to highlight ways to further reduce impact while on […]

Saddlebag Notes (September 27, 2019) by Laurel Parrott Those of us who are lucky enough to travel around Arizona by car or motorhome revel in its mountains, canyons, deserts, and forests. Such amazing scenery to behold outside our windshield! Those who travel by foot, bicycle or other non-motorized means have the same reactions while getting out directly into the landscape. […]

Grand Canyon News (September 24, 2019) GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Imagine hiking, biking or riding 800 miles in a single day. Sound impossible? It’s not — if you volunteer to cover one of nearly 100 separate sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT), along with others who each choose to travel different sections of the route, which extends from […]

Lake Powell Life (September 22, 2019) by KXAZ News Hikers, Runners and Riders Attempt to Complete Entire 800-mile Arizona Trail in One Day on Saturday, Oct. 12 Participants needed to sign up to set a record for traveling one of nearly 100 separate segments of National Arizona Scenic Trail extending from Mexico border to Utah border Imagine hiking, biking or riding […]

Tucson Foodie (September 18, 2019)   Find out where to have fun (around food). Although global chains have already debuted pumpkin-spiced drinks for fall, it’s still 100 degrees in Tucson. While the temps are sweltering, that that can’t stop us from getting together around food and drink and having fun. September is a month of seasonal menus, several festivals, and […]

KNAU NPR (September 18, 2019) by Associated Press Hikers on a popular Grand Canyon trail will have to take a detour while crews replace water pumps. The months-long project to replace two water pumps along the Bright Angel Trail at Indian Garden starts Monday. Hikers will be routed to a bypass trail. The pump house sends water to the park’s […]

Outside Magazine (September 18, 2019) by Jonathan Olivier   From Alaska’s remote bush to downtown Cleveland, our national parks provide us with millions of acres of public land to explore. We compiled a list of the best hikes in each park, according to the wilderness guides, park rangers, and hikers who know them. Maine The Expert: Pat Johnson, Maine Outdoor Adventure […]

Texarkana (September 19, 2019) by Melanie Radzicki McManus   SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. — Fat drops of rain tap out a mournful melody on the nylon ceiling stretched over my head. Peeking out from under a thick down quilt, I watch tiny rivulets of water drip down the sides of my tent and sigh. It’s not supposed to be raining […]

Copper Area News (September 18, 2019) by Staff   Imagine hiking, biking or riding 800 miles in a single day. Sound impossible? It’s not – if you volunteer to cover one of nearly 100 separate sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT), along with others who each choose to travel different sections of the route, which extends from the […]

Tucson Foodie (September 12, 2019) by Matt Sterner The Arizona Trail Association is throwing a “Dinner and a Dip” Rooftop Lounge Party at the AC Hotel Tucson Downtown from 5 – 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. Just as the sun makes its descent behind the mountains, the party starts with a buffet-style dinner catered by Charro Steak and Charro Del Rey. […]