| Arizona Trail | |
|---|---|
 Kentucky Camp, along the Arizona Trail in theSanta Rita Mountains. | |
| Length | 800 mi (1,300 km) |
| Location | Arizona,United States |
| Designation | National Scenic Trail |
| Trailheads | Coronado National Memorial Arizona–Utah border |
| Use | Hiking,horseback riding,mountain biking,cross-country skiing |
| Highest point | San Francisco Peaks (This point is on a proposed section of the trail), 9,600 ft (2,900 m) |
| Lowest point | Gila River, 1,700 ft (520 m) |
| Difficulty | Easy to Strenuous |
| Season | Year-round at lower elevations, Summer and Fall at higher elevations |
| Sights | Santa Catalina Mountains,Mogollon Rim,San Francisco Peaks,Grand Canyon |
TheArizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) is aNational Scenic Trail fromMexico toUtah that traverses the whole north–south length of theU.S. state ofArizona. The trail begins at theCoronado National Memorial near the US–Mexico border and moves north through parts of theHuachuca,Santa Rita, andRincon Mountains. The trail continues through theSanta Catalina north ofTucson and theMazatzal Mountains before ascending theMogollon Rim north ofPayson, and eventually leading to the higher elevations ofNorthern Arizona and theSan Francisco Peaks. The trail then continues across theCoconino Plateau and in and out of theGrand Canyon. The Arizona Trail terminates near the Arizona–Utah border in theKaibab Plateau region. The 800-mile (1,300 km) long Arizona Trail was completed on December 16, 2011. The trail is designed as a primitive trail forhiking,equestrians,mountain biking, and evencross country skiing, showcasing the wide variety of mountain ranges and ecosystems of Arizona.
The idea for the trail was originally developed and promoted in 1985 byDale Shewalter, aFlagstaff, Arizona, teacher.[1] The Arizona Trail was designated as a National Scenic Trail on March 30, 2009 by theOmnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. It forms part of the shortened version of the 6,875-mile (11,064 km)Great Western Loop. This version includes theGrand Canyon National Park.
The Arizona Trail was created by interconnecting preexisting trails. In 1994, the Arizona Trail Association incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to bring volunteers and the necessary resources to create maps, identify water sources, build and maintain the trail, and help raise funds for the trail.[2]
The Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages, and categorized into Southern, Central, and Northern sections. A wide selection of Maps are located athttps://aztrail.org/explore/maps/[3]
Trail finishers are individuals who have reported completing the Arizona Trail. They receive a copper belt buckle (or pin/pendant) in celebration of their accomplishment. This list includes:[4]
The “AZT Gateway” provides community information (i.e., lodging, staple stores, access information, urgent care, etc.). There are many scenic communities that have fun areas of interest along the Arizona Trail.[5]
Mountain biking is allowed but segments are off-limits due to wilderness restrictions. Preferred biking routes have been developed to retain a trail experience consistent with National Scenic Trail values.[6]
Some hikers enjoy the company of their canine companions when hiking the trail.[original research?] However, the rough terrain, venomous snakes, sharp vegetation, hot ground during the summer, and lack of water in many trail segments can make the Arizona Trail unsuitable for most dogs, and in some sections, they are not allowed. Hikers wanting to bring their dogs should check with the Arizona Trail Association,[7] which recommends that dog owners plan day trips in areas where dogs are allowed and when conditions (particularly heat and water) are suitable for them.
Pack goats are sometimes used as companions on the trail,[citation needed] and can help lessen the pain of carrying a heavy backpack. They are allowed on some parts of the Arizona Trail, but prohibited on other segments due to the possibility of diseases from domestic goats spreading to sensitive bighorn sheep populations. Pack goats are not allowed anywhere bighorn sheep live. Therefore, it's not possible to do a thru-hike with pack goats.[8]
As of 2015, fewer than twenty people have ridden the entire trail. Some rode the trail all at once; others who rode the trail in segments, taking up to six years.[9]
In general, it takes approximately fifty days to hike the trail. The speed record for completing the trail is held by Jeff Garmire, who completed the Arizona trail in fifteen days, thirteen hours.[10]
A 21-mile section along the Arizona Trail provides views in the Grand Canyon region, particularly on the Kaibab Plateau. The trail connects the East Rim View and Murray trailheads.[11]
35°57′28″N111°57′17″W / 35.95778°N 111.95472°W /35.95778; -111.95472
