A Trail Reborn From the Ashes
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During the summer of 2020, the Mangum Fire scorched 71,450 acres on the Kaibab National Forest and significantly impacted three miles of the Arizona Trail within Orderville Canyon along Passage 42 (Kaibab Plateau North). Since the trail was located within the canyon bottom and the fire burned at high intensity, this segment of AZT has been closed for two years in the interest of public safety. Trail users have been rerouted along forest roads through blackened forest nearby. But thanks to the hard work of Arizona Trail Association volunteers and staff, and our friends at Flagline Trails and the Kaibab National Forest, fresh new trail has recently been built upslope from the drainage, which is a more sustainable location.
We couldn’t be happier about this project, especially since we thought it would take four to five years for the hillsides to naturally stabilize after such a high-severity fire. While we know dead trees will continue to fall and the new trail will require frequent maintenance, being able to reopen this piece of trail and keep trail users off forest roads is a grand accomplishment. The ATA is grateful for everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen, especially the Arizona Department of Forestry & Fire Management and Coconino County Office of Emergency Management who helped pay for trail construction through the Governor’s Wildfire & Flood Mitigation Fund.
The Kaibab National Forest rescinded the AZT closure order on September 2 at 6 a.m. and the new trail segment is now officially open. The trail has been constructed by light machinery and partially finished by volunteers. Another crew will be heading back there in late September to finish the remaining mile, so if you visit before that time please know it’s a work in progress. We will also be organizing routine maintenance events annually, and you’re welcome to join us in caring for this new segment of trail and the landscape that will take many years to recover from the Mangum Fire.
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Hone Your Stewardship Skills through the Trail Skills Institute
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Join us on the scenic Highline Passage of the AZT on September 17-18 for the next Trail Skills Institute! This innovative training offered in partnership with Flagline Trails teaches valuable skills to volunteers, including those who have been involved in trail projects for many years. Drawing upon thousands of hours on the trail and in the classroom, including some of the most daunting trail projects you can imagine, professional trail builders will inspire, educate, and give you the skills you need to be an effective steward and trail volunteer. The training will take place entirely outdoors, with a focus on experiential learning. While there will be talks and demonstrations, the instructors have found that classroom time is never as valuable as time on the trail and a PowerPoint is no replacement for a pick mattock. Each training session is designed to benefit veteran trail dogs and first timers alike.
The next Trail Skills Institute includes a two-day training covering Modules 1 (Trail Assessment) and 2 (Trail Maintenance):
- Seeing the trail and the surrounding landscape
- Erosion and deposition
- Identifying problems and causes
- Documenting trail conditions
- Reopening the trail corridor (brushing, log outs, rock obstacles)
- Slough, berm and tread
- Drainage (dips, knicks, reversal, checks, waterbars)
- Hardening the trail
These training fill up fast, so reserve your spot today by registering online here. Cost is $125 per person (only $75 per person for ATA Trail Stewards) and includes four meals, professional instruction, a Trail Assessment Handbook, and lots of fun! Scholarships may be available to volunteers for whom the cost of registration is a barrier to participation. Contact volunteer@aztrail.org for more information.
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Recent Poll Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Permanent Uranium Mining Ban Near Grand Canyon
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A recent survey of 600 registered Arizona voters likely to participate in the 2022 general elections was recently completed in order to assess voter views on protecting lands around the Grand Canyon. The survey found an overwhelming desire among voters to make permanent the temporary ban on new uranium mining around the Grand Canyon. This support is strong across political parties, geography, and voters are galvanized by protecting Arizona’s clean water supply, tourism economy, and public health. Two out of three Arizona voters (67 percent) support the Grand Canyon Protection Act.
Check out the complete poll results here.
If you haven’t reached out to your Senators about the Grand Canyon Protection Act, please do! Their contact information can be found here and we encourage you to share with them how important the Arizona Trail, Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, and clean air, soil and water are to you. The temporary ban on new uranium mining near Grand Canyon will expire in ten years, which is why we need the Senate to pass the Grand Canyon Protection Act now (it has already passed in the House of Representatives).
Why is the Arizona Trail Association so concerned? In addition to uranium’s toxic legacy in the Southwest – poisoning lands, waters, wildlife and people – over 40 miles of the AZT on the Kaibab National Forest pass by hundreds of uranium mining claims that have not been developed thanks to the current ban. The risks associated with uranium are too dangerous, and we believe that public lands and culturally significant landscapes have much greater value than uranium. Our nation currently has a 50-year stockpile of the mineral to meet our energy needs, and only 0.2% of uranium within the United States can be found within the Grand Canyon Region. This area is just too precious to mine. Protecting the AZT is paramount to our mission, and we see the Grand Canyon Protection Act as an ideal way to protect the trail, people, wildlife, water and the entire ecosystem.
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Help Document Trail Conditions & Trim Back Vegetation
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As monsoon season ends and the prime season for trail activities returns, we need your help in documenting trail conditions and trimming back vegetation. Caring for the AZT is all our responsibility, and we’ve developed a few easy ways for you to get involved while you’re outdoors enjoying the AZT.
Monitoring and Reporting
Believe it or not, exploring the Arizona Trail and reporting on trail conditions is one of the most important aspects of stewardship. So the next time you’re out for a hike or ride on the AZT, please pay attention to trail conditions, including vegetation overgrowth, erosion issues, downed trees and missing or damaged signs. We collect this valuable data and then work with segment stewards and land managers to address needs based on priority.
Just use this Trail Conditions Form on our website to let us know what you're seeing, and we’ll work to take care of it.
Remote Trail Maintenance Task Force
Another great way to help maintain the trail is through our Remote Maintenance Task Force! We’ve developed a simple way for you to trim back the encroaching vegetation, remove problematic tree limbs, and help keep the Arizona Trail corridor clear.
To join the Remote Trail Maintenance Task Force, just fill out and submit a simple form online and we’ll mail you a pair of pruning shears or pro hand saw along with a pair of work gloves and a Trail Brushing Guide. We also encourage you to watch our Trail Skills Videos on Desert Brushing Techniques and Forest Brushing Techniques on YouTube. You can keep the gloves and hand tool as a thank you for your help in maintaining the AZT.
However you choose to help, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS ONLINE after you’re done. Every hour you spend driving to the trailhead, hiking (or riding), and maintaining the trail is important to report. Don’t let your outstanding volunteer service go undocumented!
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Copperstate Farms is a proud supporter of the Arizona Trail Association.
Established in 2016, Copperstate Farms is a vertically integrated cannabis operator headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The company manages the licensed production and distribution of cannabis and operates a 1.7-million-square-foot greenhouse in Snowflake, Arizona, on behalf of licensed entity Holistic Patient Wellness Group, Inc. Copperstate Farms is the parent company of multiple product suites and dispensary retail concept Sol Flower, with locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City, and two in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun City retail operation includes a café and wellness classroom.
Copperstate Farms is dedicated to bringing growth to the local and state economy through the hiring of local workers, material suppliers, and contractors. For more information, visit CopperstateFarms.com.
Copperstate Farms is a Premier Legacy Partner of the Arizona Trail Association.
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Explore section options by using the map or the spreadsheet on our 
Register for a section (or two!) and 
Get ready to hike, run, ride and roll! Participants must be completely self-prepared and self-supported, so do your homework. Go here for answers to 
Support the Trail! Please use the fundraising page you receive when you register as a way to share your love of the trail and give back to the ATA. All funds generated from AZT in a Day will support our mission. 
