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Winter 2009-10 arizona trail america’s new national scenic trail Special Edition Newsletter • 2010 In March 2009, an act of the United States Congress designated the Arizona Trail a National Scenic Trail. This issue of the Arizona Trail Association newsletter celebrates this milestone, a landmark moment that took over ten years of dedicated work by many people to achieve. “It can be a humbling experience to travel along the Arizona Trail. The majesty of the mountains, canyons and vast open spaces makes me feel lucky just to be a part of it. Joining the National Scenic Trail system, the premier association of great trails, heightens my sense of responsibility to provide strong stewardship of this emerging legacy. Thanks are owed to the hundreds of volunteers and professionals who have pieced together the trail—and are still piecing it together–like a quilt forged with MacLeods, Pulaskis and sore backs. We won’t be one of the longest National Scenic Trails, but we can be one of the best.” Emily Nottingham President Arizona Trail Association Photo: Chuck Williams Williams Chuck Photo: Above: The San Francisco Peaks outside of Flagstaff near the Arizona Trail. On the cover: A hiker starts down the Grand Canyon’s South Kaibab Trail. Photo: Elisabeth Wheeler www.aztrail.org The Arizona Trail The Arizona Trail is a continuous, 800+ mile Arizona Trail diverse and scenic trail across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. Association It links deserts, mountains, canyons, communities and people. Agency Partners Currently 95% of the trail is complete. Arizona Office of Tourism The Arizona Trail Association’s mission is to build, Arizona State Land Department maintain, promote, protect and sustain the Arizona Trail as Arizona State Parks a unique encounter with the land. Babbitt Ranches, Inc. Bureau of Land Management City of Flagstaff City of Patagonia City of Superior Colossal Cave Mountain Park Coconino County National Forest Service: Coconino National Forest Coronado National Forest Kaibab National Forest Tonto National Forest Coronado National Memorial Grand Canyon National Park Pima County Pinal County Oracle State Park Saguaro National Park Photo: Elisabeth Wheeler Photo: Walnut Canyon National Monument Top: View to the north trailhead at the Utah/ Arizona border. Left: Iris in full glory. Center: The Mexico/Arizona marker. Below: Arizona Trail supporter shows his colors. Photo: Scott Morris Scott Morris Photo: Photo: Chuck Williams Williams Chuck Photo: “The National Scenic Trail designation ensures that the Arizona Trail is here to stay, for all generations.” Randy Warner, ATA Board Member Photo: Terri Gay Terri Photo: Photo: Scott Morris Photo: “We thank all of our public land partners, our truly generous sponsors, our members, stew- ards, and volunteers for helping us along this road to success and for participating in our work to earn the designation of our beloved Arizona Trail as a National Scenic Trail!” Jan Hancock ATA Founder, ATA Past President ATA Board Member Photo: Scott Morris Photo: “An aspect of being one of only “The designation of the Arizona a few National Scenic Trails is Trail as a National Scenic Trail that you protect the trail. It’s really validates what those of now a national treasure. It’s us who have enjoyed this trail going to live longer than we’re already know. going to live. For me personally, it is the diversity of We’re honored to be part of this. We’re the landscape that includes everything Photo: Fred Gaudet Fred Photo: honored to support you. We thank you from the arid desert to snow-capped for what you’ve done.” peaks that really makes this trail special.” “It’s a legacy that will pay huge Francisco Valenzuela Pat O'Connell dividends to current and future Recreation Director, Saddle Mountain Steward, generations of trail enthusiasts.” USDA Forest Service Segment 22 Steve Saway Top left: Hedgehog cactus blazes in bloom. Huachuca Mountains Steward, Segment 1 Top right: A rider descends the trail toward the Gila River. Left: The rugged White Canyon landscape. www.aztrail.org “The designation is a very Four Decades, Nine Presidents, Eleven Trails prestigious recognition for a very scenic trail. It’s progressed because of success- Appalachian Trail 1968 ful partnerships made up of so many people, clubs, small businesses, large Pacific Crest Trail 1968 corporations and public agencies joined together by a common theme… the Arizona Trail. And all of them Continental Divide Trail 1978 helped make the Scenic Trail desig- nation happen. Congratulations!” North Country Trail 1980 Dave Hicks President Lyndon Johnson signs the National Trails System Act into Arizona Trail Hiker Ice Age Trail 1980 law on October 2, 1968. Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, Lady Bird ATA Executive Director Johnson and other high-level officials look on. Photo: LBJ Library. “The Bureau of Land Florida Trail 1983 Management’s partnership Potomac Heritage Trail 1983 with the Arizona Trail Associa- tion over the years stands as a Natchez Trace Trail 1983 model for other trails partner- ships around the country.” Bill Gibson BLM Travel Management Coordinator Arizona Trail 2009 Pacific Northwest Trail 2009 President Barack Obama shakes hands with Senate Majority Leader “National Scenic Trail status Harry Reid after signing the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act means that people from the New England Trail 2009 of 2009. White House Photo: Chuck Kennedy. U.S. and the world will explore Arizona and realize that we are not just the Grand Canyon and “Designation of the Arizona saguaros, but a state that has Trail as a National Scenic Trail almost any type of landscape means that it is incumbent on imaginable. us to maintain the quality of It makes me want to showcase my seg- the Arizona Trail experience so ment in the best and most enjoyable users will have a meaningful light possible. “ experience, and that the diverse Lee Allen landscapes, ecosystems and Las Colinas Steward, Segment 6a historic areas will provide a rewarding experience.” Fred Gaudet White Canyon Steward, Segment 16 “We’ve gone a long way.” Connie Lane Director, Parks & Recreation Photo: Chuck Williams Chuck Photo: Pinal County Anna Pfender Photo: “The Arizona Trail being desig- “This is truly a worthy designa- nated as a National Scenic Trail tion since the trail covers such is a significant accomplishment a wide range of scenery from that will benefit present and mountains to canyons, from future generations. lakes to grasslands. Each and every ATA volunteer along For me, it means that I am helping put with our corporate and land manager Arizona and the trail ‘on the map’ so that partners can be very, very proud of the the world can learn of this true national legacy we have collectively created.” treasure.” Larry Snead Elisabeth Wheeler Photo: Wayne Coates Past Executive Director Top: Oracle Ridge. Temporal Gulch Steward, Arizona Trail Association Center: Las Colinas panorama. Gardner Canyon, Segment 4a Bottom: Hikers in the Rincon Valley. Photo: Richard Grodzicki Photo: “The designation just proves what we already knew: The Arizona Trail passes through one of the most diverse land- scapes in the world and access- es areas that have almost been untouched by time. As an avid runner and trail steward, it means within a few minutes I can have a place to run free of traffic, pollution and noise.” Neil Weintraub Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association Photo: Elisabeth Wheeler Photo: “If one word comes to mind “The Arizona National Scenic Trail has become a premier wilder- when you talk about the ness experience. Within the borders of one state, it traverses over Arizona Trail, it’s passion. 800 miles of lowland deserts, unbelievable mountain ranges, vivid It’s passion in the sense of love of the part- deep canyons, while making connections with communities and nership, the fraternity of being out with the wonderful people along the way.” people working, and it’s love of the land and John Rendall, Central Region Trail Steward the whole concept of the trail.” Right page, clockwise from top: Moonrise in Bob Baldwin Colossal Cave Mountain Park; equestrians in the Grant Administrator Santa Rita Mountains near Tucson; blooming Arizona State Parks thistle flanks the trail. www.aztrail.org Photo: Scott Morris Photo: “I am personally grateful for all of the devoted people who have worked so hard to bring National Scenic Trail status to our Arizona Trail. The trail will be an adventure for generations of outdoors people to enjoy, and the magic of Arizona’s landscape will be shared with the world.” Dale Shewalter Founder, Arizona Trail Photo: Bonnie Slaten Photo: Photo: Scott Jacobsmeyer Photo: If you’re a member, remember to renew when your notice comes, and if you’re not yet a member, become one. Each membership supports our trail in many ways, from showing the sheer number of trail enthusiasts to helping pay the expenses that go along with a trail like ours. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, so your dollars are tax deductible. Your generous donations from $1 to $20,000 are gratefully acknowledged. You can find a map and access point information, as well as membership and upcoming event details, on our web site at www.aztrail.org. The Arizona Trail—open for you 365 days a year. Photo: Chuck Williams Chuck Photo: Arizona Trail Business and Club Members Allstate Foundation, Max Shemwell University of Illinois Alternate Spring Break Apollo Group Special thanks for their Arizonahikers.com Intel Corp. newsletter support goes to Arizona Community Foundation Jorden, Bischoff & Hiser, PLC Arizona Horse Lovers Foundation Drs. Bruce Lachot & Kent Loo ® Arizona Public Service REI Arizona State Parks National Bank of Arizona ASARCO Resolution Copper Aspen Sports Rick Surina, State Farm Ins. Agency AZ Partsmaster Rosemont Copper Bashas’ Saddlebrooke Hiking Club Body Stabilization Training, Inc.
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