After 18 months of hard work, our partners at the Coronado National Forest have released the first comprehensive trail plan for the Santa Catalina Ranger District, which includes the northern slope of the Rincon Mountains, Mount Lemmon, Summerhaven and Oracle Ridge.  According to Adam Milnor, Recreation, Heritage and Lands Staff Officer for the Forest, the plan includes projects to “diversify trail opportunities, improve sustainability, create new trail connections and boost trailhead access” on the district. A number of the proposed projects will impact Passages 9-12 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, addressing long standing issues with this well-loved portion of the Trail.

These aspirations aren’t just dreams, either. Thanks to the recent flow of federal funding from sources such as the Great American Outdoors Act, or GAOA, many of these projects may become reality starting as soon as this winter.

The ATA joined the Southern Arizona outdoor recreation community and other trail organizations such as the National Forest Foundation, Tucson Off Road Cyclists and Activists, Santa Catalina Volunteer Patrol, Pima County, Friends of the Santa Catalina Trails and others to help Forest Service staff shape the plan – and we will continue to be involved in it’s implementation. ATA volunteers will be key to many projects along the AZT, so if you want to get your hands dirty making it happen, keep an eye on our calendar of events!

Get the complete plan here.

Read more about the plan process and implementation in an article from the Arizona Republic.