Invest in the Future of Stewardship
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Over the past eight years the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) has introduced more than 10,000 youth to the natural wonders of Arizona and engaged them in meaningful volunteer projects through our Seeds of Stewardship program. We consider this a vital component of our mission to sustain the Arizona Trail. With the recent closure of Arizona’s schools to help fight the spread of COVID-19, our youth outreach and education programs have been put on hold. We are working hard to develop do-it-yourself educational content that schools can share with families, and distributing copies of the Arizona Trail Junior Explorer Handbook as quickly as we can get them out the door. But the future of this important program hangs in the balance.
During our Spring Fundraising Campaign we are asking you to donate generously in support of Seeds of Stewardship. This will allow the ATA to continue to bring outdoor experiences, education, and boots-on-the-ground stewardship opportunities to Arizona’s youth. They are the future of outdoor recreation in our state, and will help sustain the trail in perpetuity.
If you ever had a transformative experience outdoors as a young person, donate today. Your generosity will provide similar experiences for others. Section 2204 of the CARES Act allows individuals to donate up to $300 to nonprofit organizations and take a deduction on your 2020 taxes, even if you don’t itemize.
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Ripsey Wash Reroute Delayed Until 2021
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Located within the wilds of Pinal County in central Arizona, Ripsey Wash comprises the most interesting topographical feature of the entire 28.4-mile Tortilla Mountains Passage. The Arizona Trail was intentionally routed Ripsey Wash because of its dramatic scenery and outstanding natural resource values. Last year, we reported that Ripsey Wash will soon be filled with mine tailings from Asarco’s Ray Mine, located nearby, after they received approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Arizona State Land Department. We were geared up to begin trail construction ahead of any on-the-ground impacts within the trail corridor, however Asarco recently announced their decision to delay the project until winter of 2021.
That means the current alignment of the AZT through Ripsey Wash will remain for at least another year. Consider this as your next destination while the wildflowers are exploding with color and the temperatures are still mild. At only 2,900 feet elevation, this is not the place to be when summer rears its hot head. Ripsey Wash is located 8 miles south of the Florence-Kelvin Trailhead near the gateway community of Kearny (the Friendliest Town on the Arizona Trail).
More details on the future realignment of the AZT in this area and our plans to build 6.2 miles of fresh trail (with full funding from Asarco) will be shared in the future. If you’d like a sneak peek at the future route, please visit our Interactive Map online and make sure the “Ripsey East Proposed Reroute” layer is selected. Zoom in just east of Kearny and look for the dotted red line.
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Arizona Trail App Now Includes Connector Trails
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By popular demand, our friends at Atlas Guides recently added dozens of connector trails to the popular Arizona Trail smartphone app. The collaborative effort was the result of our Trail Operations Committee and Director of Trail Operations identifying which connector trails are the most significant access points and side hikes off the main AZT. Then, our GIS Director gathered all the data for these trails and sent the data to Guthook. It was uploaded recently and is now available on your smartphone.
The Arizona Trail App from Guthook is the most comprehensive navigational resource for the Arizona Trail and includes water sources, road crossings, trailheads, gateway communities, points of interest and so much more. It works even when you’re far from cell phone service, and users are allowed to post helpful comments to inform other trail users about specific waypoints.
Connector trails are shown as orange lines, and the main Arizona Trail is red. Hopefully this new feature helps you find your way from trailheads to the AZT, and to explore summits and other interesting places nearby.
If you don’t own it yet, just search for “Guthook” in your App Store. A portion of proceeds from app sales are donated to the Arizona Trail Association.
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Be Counted in the Census!
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Have you participated in the 2020 Census yet? If not, it’s easy to do online here. The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories. Last month, homes across the country began receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.
With Arizona’s recent growth, results from the 2020 Census could mean we gain additional representation in Congress. Please take a minute to complete the Census today!
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The Town of Payson is a proud Business Partner of the Arizona Trail Association. The Town of Payson is located in the heart of Arizona's Mogollon Rim Country, only 90 minutes north of Phoenix. Surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, Payson has immediate access to the Arizona Trail, fishing spots, museums, parks, and much more. It's also home to the world's oldest continuous rodeo. Check out their calendar of events and some of the attractions that make Payson “Arizona's cool mountain town” at www.paysonrimcountry.com.
The Town of Payson is a Juniper level Business Partner.
Please support the local communities (and their businesses) that support the ATA.
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