Last Chance to Order Before Christmas
Today is the final day to order Arizona Trail Merchandise for the outdoor enthusiast in your life if you’d like it to arrive before December 25. The ATA Online Store has dozens of great products to choose from, and every purchase supports the trail! Check out our hats, stickers, wooden maps, books, and so much more. In celebration of the holidays, we are featuring some fresh items and offering discounts on select products, including: - 20% discount on Winter Hats (aka snowball toques) and 20% off lightweight gloves - 20% discount on socks when you buy 3 or more pairs. Mix and match styles and sizes. Use Coupon Code: 20OFFSOCKS when you click “View Cart.” - Silver Earrings and Pendants – these treasures make amazing gifts, and we carry a new style featuring a turquoise gemstone from Kingman - Wooden Topo Maps – multiple sizes - Buy One Get One Red-Tailed Hawk T-Shirts – mix and match styles and colors. Use Coupon Code: BOGORedTail when you click “View Cart.” All sales and coupon codes valid through December 31. For delivery by December 25, orders must be placed today, December 15. Peruse all the AZT goods by clicking here. New Road Signs Increase Safety Along the AZT
Ask anyone what the most dangerous part of traveling the entire length of the Arizona Trail might be and you’ll hear things like, “rattlesnakes” or “getting lost” or “cattle tank water.” While there are plenty of safety hazards to consider along an 800-mile trail from Mexico to Utah, the ATA does not work to minimize them all since it would inherently change the nature of the Arizona Trail experience. Instead, we focus on improving awareness of safety through outreach and education, and remove the trail from motorized roadways whenever possible. We are working hard to replace road segments of the AZT with non-motorized singletrack nearby, and improving road crossings for the safety of drivers and trail users alike. One segment of roadway we haven’t been able to find a way around is Highway 188 where the AZT follows the paved road across the iconic Roosevelt Bridge – the Salt River and Roosevelt Lake present significant topographical obstacles. Thanks to our friends at the Arizona Department of Transportation, there are now signs alerting drivers to the fact that hikers may be on the highway. These were recently installed north and south of the Roosevelt Bridge, and are one more small step in improving safety of the Arizona Trail for all. When you identify areas where the trail can be improved, please let us know through the Trail Conditions Form online. Missing sign? Eroding hillside? Problematic gate? Fallen trees? We rely on trail users like you to monitor the trail and report on its condition, so tell us what you find and we’ll work with our wonderful Trail Stewards to improve it. Oracle Ridge Passage Opens After Bighorn Fire
The Coronado National Forest recently updated the Bighorn Fire Closure Order to include the reopening of some trails impacted by the Bighorn Fire, including the Oracle Ridge Passage (Passage 12) of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Most trails in the Santa Catalina Mountains remain closed, including the Arizona Trail between 0.4-mile east of Hutch’s Pool and Marshall Gulch Trailhead on Passage 11. Connectivity between trails is still severely limited since most of the mountain was impacted by the Bighorn Fire, which scorched a total of 119,978 acres. Due to the possibility of severe flash floods, all trails on the mountain should be avoided if rain is in the forecast. The Arizona Trail Association has conducted on-the-ground trail conditions assessments, but the possibility of falling trees, rolling rocks, unstable soils and other dangers present unusual hazards within the burn zone. We will be calling on all volunteers to help repair the AZT as soon as it’s safe to do so. Please keep an eye on opportunities through our Volunteer website. Become a fan of Passages 11, 11a and 12 and we will contact you as soon as we are able to conduct volunteer work events again. For more information, please contact the Coronado National Forest by calling (520) 749-8700 or visit their frequently asked questions web page. Put on Your Santa Hat for the ATA
As you think about the people and experiences you’re most grateful for this year, please remember the joy you find along the Arizona Trail. Most of this 800-mile wonder is available for you to hike, run, pedal or ride any day of the year, and the Arizona Trail Association works tirelessly to protect and maintain the trail for you and thousands of others. We encourage you to donate what you think those experiences are worth.
For those who prefer to buy materials or supplies instead of giving cash, we have put together a Wish List on our website. Some of the ATA’s priority needs for our Trail Operations and Youth Outreach include:
Folding Saws
Rock Bars
Tracked Power Hauler
Hydration Packs
Headlamps
Color Ink Cartridges
Truck Tires
Gas Cards
Check out our Wish List online, including prices and website links to buy them directly from preferred vendors. We will provide an in-kind donation letter for your tax reporting purposes, along with our profound thanks for your support! Arizona Trail Association’s Annual Meeting Goes Virtual for 2021
Please save the date for the ATA’s Annual Members Meeting on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Instead of meeting in person at the Desert Botanical Garden, we will present the meeting through a new online format that will make it free and easy for everyone to join together in celebration of the Arizona Trail from 10 am – 12 pm (MST) online. The meeting is open to all members of the ATA and will be available through a Zoom Webinar and also streamed through Facebook Live. ATA Staff and Board will share success stories from 2020 and highlight our priorities for the year ahead. We will honor outstanding volunteers and agency partners, and hear from guest speakers about the positive impacts the AZT has made on their life and community. More information about the 27th Annual Members Meeting will be posted at aztrail.org after the New Year. Please mark your calendar and join us!