Arizona Trail Beckons Hikers

Even though the calendar still says it's winter, the mild climate of Arizona makes it feel like spring. With the mild mid-morning & afternoon temperatures, a hike on the Arizona Trail is certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Senior Planner for Parks & Recreation in Pinal Co., Kent Taylor says that almost 100 miles of the trail is in Pinal County.

"It's nice to have our Board of Supervisors as avid supporters & partners of the Az Trail," said Taylor. "Not only do you see the beauty of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona, you are also able to experience everything from a forest setting in the Santa Catalina Mountains to the climate along Superstition Mountains. It is simply breathtaking. I would hope that equestrians & mountain bikers will also use the trail as well. The County sees them as a huge potential user along with the hikers."

What started out as a dream of Flagstaff schoolteacher Dale Shewalter in the early 1980's, has become over 800 miles of trails that extend from border with Mexico, north to Utah. Over 90% of the trail is complete with only 57 miles left to be developed. Once finished, Arizona will join ten other states that have trans-state trails.

The Board of Supervisors has given Taylor the task of incorporating the Pinal Co. Trails & Open Space Plan with segments of the Arizona Trail. In fact, the Arizona Trail's considered one of the main trails within the plan.

In 2006, the County held the 1st meetings for the Open Space & Trails Master Plan. The purpose of the initial series of public meetings was 2-fold: 1. To introduce the master planning process, its purpose & schedule. 2. To receive input from the community on their values, issues, needs & concerns regarding open space & trails.

"We received a lot of positive input from that set of meetings," Taylor recalled. "We are now working closely with Logan, Simpson Design to incorporate the ideas we received during the meetings with the public."

While hiking the trail will prove to be fun experience for people, Taylor also feels the Az Trail will serve as an education tool of sorts, teaching about the various climates of the State.

"A lot of people who have never been here think of Az as 1 big desert," Taylor said. "But 1 look at the profile of the Az Trail shows that it goes from 1,700 ft - 9,600 ft in elevation. It also crosses 4 rivers, & 5 lakes. For people that hike the entire length of the trail they'll have everything from arid desert terrain to high country landscape. I can't wait until it's 100% complete."

Hiking Safety Tips:

* Hike with friends or family.
* Take plenty of water.
* Let someone back at camp or at home know where you are going & when you plan on returning.
* Don't walk off trail.
* Be aware of your surroundings & remember that you may encounter wildlife on your walk.