Payson Roundup (April 27, 2020) by Alexis Bechman Searching for a new spot to hike recently led to a wonderful discovery west of Payson. With many developed trailheads closed and looking for something outside the popular Payson Area Trail System (PATS), we set off down Main Street to the City Creek trailhead, near the Doll Baby Ranch. While I have […]

Chicago Tribune (April 27, 2020) by Melanie Radzicki McManus 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 here, at the entrance to […]

The Trek (April 6, 2020) by Effie Drew Through the Great Southwest is a newly released documentary film in which Darwin Rakestraw makes his directorial debut, in partnership with the Arizona Trail Association. The film follows the community behind the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) that spans the length of Arizona, between Mexico and Utah. A trail deeply diverse in […]

Flagstaff Business News (April 4, 2020) by V. Ronni Tierney Marathon hours of river running and hiking in the Grand Canyon can stir up more than just endorphins. For field biologist and outdoorswoman Lindsay Hupp, sweltering heat and canyon sweat inspired her to create a nutrition bar that is making a lot of people happy. The epiphany for nutritional fuel […]

USA Today (March 31, 2020) by Nicquel Terry Ellis and Weldon B. Johnson As social distancing guidelines continue another month and temperatures warm up in some regions, many Americans will search for safe outdoor activities. Medical experts say hiking is safe as long as you do it alone or with someone from your household at a trail or park that isn’t crowded. Some […]

AZ Central (March 25, 2020) by Weldon B. Johnson Some of the best advice for helping to slow the spread of the new coronavirus remains to have people stay home and avoid contact with others whenever possible. But many Arizonans still want to get out in the fresh air and sunshine. Unfortunately, that has led to crowded conditions at popular hiking trails and other […]

Arizona Daily Sun (March 24, 2020) by Sam McManis Outdoor recreation activities, such as hiking and running and mountain biking, remain unaffected by the civic restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus outbreak. That’s provided, of course, that people maintain proper social-distancing protocols. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institutes of Health, says he still runs each morning. But what […]

The 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 […]

Click 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 […]

24-year old Arizona native Bryce Brooks, recently had the opportunity to see Arizona through his own lens. Adventure Lives At Home is an 18-minute film that explores the question: Can you have an epic, life-changing adventure right in your own backyard?

Freehub Magazine Without an agenda, time becomes irrelevant. When it comes to bikepacking, this is the perfect mindset to have. Void of all expectations and obligations, Jackie Paaso and Stan Jorgensen set off on a three-day, 90-mile mission on the Arizona Trail, embracing the moment and abiding only by the rhythm of mother nature. Watch the 7-minute video here.   […]

Payson Roundup (January 31, 2020) by Alexis Bechman On a sunny Sunday in January, I joined Mike Brandt, president of Pine Strawberry Fuel Reduction, Inc. (PSFR), at the Pine Trailhead. We took a leisurely three-mile hike, made possible because Brandt, the PSFR board and volunteers are diligent in educating the community about fire protection and fuel reduction, creating partnerships and […]

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 […]