Areas of Coconino & Kaibab National Forests to Close This Weekend

Coconino and Kaibab National Forests will temporarily close certain areas to public access beginning Friday and Saturday due to fire danger and for public safety, while all other parts of the national forests outside of the closure areas remain open but in Stage 2 fire restrictions. Closures includes the Arizona Trail Passages 31 (Walnut Canyon), 32 (Elden Mountain), 33 (Flagstaff Urban Route), and 34 (San Francisco Peaks). All trail users are cautioned to avoid the Arizona Trail and National Forest lands between Kelly Canyon south of Flagstaff and Forest Road 523 north of the Peaks, as well as Marshall Lake, Sandys Canyon, Lakeview Campground and Canyon Vista Campground. This includes the AZT between mile 554.4 and 613.5 (using the FarOut app).
 
On the Kaibab National Forest, the area around Bill Williams Mountain will be closed beginning Friday, June 17 at 8 a.m. Specifically, public access will be prohibited on all National Forest lands, roads, and trails within the closure area, generally located between County Road (CR) 73, Old Route 66 in the City of Williams, Forest Road (FR) 122, FR 108, and I-40. This includes Benham Trail, Bixler Saddle Trail, Bill Williams Mountain Trail, Bill Williams Connector Trail, Buckskinner Trail, City of Williams Link Trail, Devil Dog Loop Trail, and Clover Spring Loop Trail. Forest Road 122 will also be closed.  FR 108 will remain drivable; however, motorists cannot park off the road. 
 
These area closures are in addition to the already-implemented emergency closure of most of the Coconino National Forest north of Interstate 40. For the official Closure Order and a map of this area, please see the official Closure Order.
 
Forest managers consider several factors before implementing restrictions or closures, including current fire danger and fire activity, local, regional and national fire preparedness levels, expected weather conditions, availability of firefighting resources, and the economic impacts to businesses and communities. All northern Arizona national forests coordinate fire restrictions and forest closures with federal, state, tribal and local partners.
 
Closures are generally the last resort for land managers, who take many other steps to reduce the potential for human-caused fires and often consider closing only the most critical areas before a full forest closure. As such, additional area closures or even full forest closures could be forthcoming if conditions warrant.
 
Closures and restrictions will be in effect until hot, dry conditions are no longer forecast to continue and the forests receives enough widespread precipitation to lower fire danger.
 
Violating closures and fire restrictions carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.
 
For information on all Arizona state and federal fire restrictions, including an interactive map, visit wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions.  Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions,  Forest Orders, and general forest conditions can be found at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and fs.usda.gov/coconino.

New Limited Edition AZT Hat

Just in time for Father's Day, check out the new limited edition hat we're calling the Not Just Your Dad’s Hat!

This ball cap has an oiled leather look and features an embroidered AZT logo in burnt red and sandy-colored threads. Distressing and contrast stitching add to its worn-in, outdoorsy style. It is constructed using 67% Cotton and 33% Polyester with a hook and loop closure in the back. Hats are one-size-fits-most and available for $25 while supplies last through the ATA Online Store.

Proceeds from merchandise sales benefits our mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment.

New Online Platform for ATA Members

If you’re an active ATA member, your Engagement Dashboard will give you access to exclusive member content. If you’re an ATA volunteer, you will also be able to enter volunteer hours and track your service in the same place.

How to Access Your Engagement Dashboard: 

• Go to www.aztrail.org and click the "login" button in the upper righthand corner of the screen.  
• Enter your name, email and zip code and click "Submit" (just once!). You won't need a password. 
• Then check your email and click the link we sent. This link is unique to you and it will take you to your Engagement Dashboard with the ATA.
• Be sure to bookmark your link to get back to it easily. If you lose it you can always request a new one. After requesting a link, any previous links will no longer work.
• If you have any questions about the content in the volunteer section of your Engagement Dashboard, please email volunteer@aztrail.org.

Introducing New Field Coordinator for Northern AZ

Trail Crew Volunteer Opportunity in Patagonia Argentina

Our friends at the Freyja Foundation are looking for trail stewards to join a volunteer trail crew to work alongside professional and local trail builders to help construct a new trail system in Parque Patagonia, Argentina from November 2022 through April 2023!

Crew members will work Monday - Friday for 8 hours a day for the duration of their 6-week work commitment, completing various types of trail work that will be instrumental to the infrastructure of a future national park. Check out the project flyer here.

Required Qualifications

• Volunteer in a crew member role as part of a building team under the supervision of the crew leaders who will be made up of professional trail builders.
• Participate in an initial orientation which will include the layout for the weekly structure as well as tool and trail building instruction as determined based on the experience of the group and individuals.
• Complete trail building projects daily Monday - Friday (8hrs/day) with an included lunch break.
• Construct sustainable trails and structures in collaboration with the team and under the supervision of professional trail builders.
• Commit to the full trail work schedule in addition to traveling to and from the project.
• Willing to work and camp outside in all weather conditions, particularly in high winds.
• Physically able to carry up to 50 lbs. over rough terrain.
• Able to work safely and effectively with all trail tools provided and follow directions from the crew leaders.
• Abide by any restrictions regarding sensitive species and sensitive areas.
• Agree to the guidelines for residing in the project provided housing.
• Be able to provide personal camping equipment as well as appropriate and enough work attire including boots (tools and base camp gear will be provided).
• Complete any pre-trip paperwork including a background check, acquiring and providing proof of travel insurance with Covid coverage, proof of Covid vaccination status, and a current passport with an expiration date later than 6 months from the anticipated departure date.

Benefits

• Ability to gain valuable experience and skills in sustainable trail building alongside professional trail builders.
• Travel to and from the project site as well as food and lodging during the 6 week work commitment are provided.
• Opportunity to work and live in the beautiful Patagonia region.
• Skills training and experience, including technical trail skills, stone splitting, shaping and pinning, wooden step construction, bridge building, proper tool use and more.
• Ability to travel on *weekends exploring the beautiful region and country with the option of extending your stay for further travel after your 6 week work commitment
• (*Weekend and post 6-week work commitment travel costs are the responsibility of the volunteer and cannot exceed 3 months in total for time in the country. For a later departure date, the crew member would be required to arrange departure plans and dates with the Freya Foundation when the initial flights are booked).
• Opportunity to learn or enhance Spanish speaking language skills.
• Opportunity to be an integral part in building the trails system within beautiful Patagonia Park (Parque Patagonia Argentina, Portal Cañadón Pinturas).
• Opportunity to learn from the Rewilding Argentina Team about their efforts to restore the local flora and fauna in the park.
• Opportunity to tour Cueva de las Manos (the Cave of the Hands), a UNESCO world heritage site located within the park boundaries.

To apply for this exciting opportunity living and building trails in Patagonia, visit the Freyja Foundation website. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2022.

PBD Ultralight is a proud supporter of the Arizona Trail Association.

PBD (Pack Back Designs) Ultralight is a small company in Scottsdale, Arizona started by a group of hikers wanting products that are light, durable, and built for the rugged conditions in Arizona (and beyond). They are known for their simple ultralight backpacking and hiking products in a wide range of colors. PBD Ultralight designs all products on the trail after a lot of testing, then creates gear for you based upon what works! Last year, they developed a special edition AZT pack, and it’s available through the ATA Online Store.

PBD Ultralight is a Ponderosa Pine level Business Partner of the Arizona Trail Association.
Please support the local businesses that support the ATA.