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AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 26 2009 12:46 pm
by Jeffshadows
From ATA:
Good News! It has been 26 years since a new National Scenic Trail has been designated in America. Thanks to your building and maintaining the Arizona Trail, providing generous financial support, and supporting National Scenic Trail legislation, that is about to change.
On Wednesday March 25, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the milestone Omnibus Lands Bill (HR 146) which includes the Arizona National Scenic Trail designation. The U.S. Senate approved the bill late last week. The final step will come with a signature by President Barack Obama, hopefully in a few days. Arizona National Scenic Trail legislative efforts have been led by congressional bills submitted Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and supported by a bipartisan group of Arizona federal and state elected officials
Trail founder Dale Shewalter was ecstatic. “From the start, I always knew the Arizona Trail would be a very desirable trail because of its diverse landscape and appeal to people from all around the country. I am extremely happy that National Scenic Trail designation has now been approved and am especially happy for all of the many people who made the trail happen.”
Dale is exactly right. You and many others continue to make the Arizona Trail happen. Thank you!
For more information about the National Scenic Trail please read page 2 of the ATA’s Spring Newsletter online
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 26 2009 12:51 pm
by Grasshopper
..
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(I was just about to publish this when I noticed "1" new forum post..and I guessed correctly..
)
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 26 2009 1:46 pm
by JoelHazelton
So what does that mean anyway?
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 26 2009 2:27 pm
by Sun_Ray
Congrats to all who have worked on the trail !!
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 26 2009 3:30 pm
by writelots
From GORP's Description:
"The act designated the Appalachian and Pacific Crest as the first two National Scenic Trails, the foundations to the National Trail System. Today the System consists of National Scenic Trails, which are continuous protected scenic corridors for outdoor recreation, as well as two more trail designations that were added later: National Historic Trails and National Recreation Trails. If you nit-pick the different designations, the meanings blur. Many of the National Scenic Trails have strong historical dimensions, and some of the National Recreation Trails can be rather lengthy.
But the basic principal remains. The National Scenic Trails are dedicated to foot travel, generally not allowing mechanized transport. They're long, frequently crossing several state lines. And they highlight the greatest glory of U.S. scenery, whether it be the the crystalline reaches of the Rocky Mountain continental divide or the steamy lushness of wilderness Florida. The eight national scenic trails are the jewels in the crown, the Yosemite and Yellowstone National Park analogs to American hiking trails. Just as few outdoor recreationists of whatever stripe have never visited a national park, few dedicated American hikers have never hiked a portion of at least one National Scenic Trail, whether it be the Pacific Crest or Continental Divide Trail in the west, or the Appalachian or North Country trail in the east.
By being singled out as the best among the great, most National Scenic Trails have developed distinctive cultures, created by partner organizations and by the thousands of hikers who interact with residents and fellow hikers along the way. "
This level of recognition will, among other things, make it much easier to get the trail completed through trouble spots like the Saguaro National Park - will make it easier to force the hands of future developers (to preserve) where the trail might be threatened (particularly on State Trust Land), and will increase visibility of the trail on a national level.
A big victory for the AZT team! Huzzah!
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 26 2009 4:35 pm
by Jeffshadows
The SNP section is planned and work is supposed to start this summer. It's called the "Quilter" Trail and it will leave Hope Camp and completely bypass Madrona en route to Chimenea Canyon.
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 26 2009 4:42 pm
by dysfunction
Oh yea? Nice.
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 27 2009 10:37 am
by writelots
Last I heard, though, the new superintendant over there was being a problem again. Of course, last time I was really in the loop for these things was a while ago, so if it's really going ahead, I'm super happy! Too bad we can't use Madrona - such a pretty area.
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 27 2009 10:44 am
by Jeffshadows
It's going ahead as of yesterday...
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 31 2009 3:32 pm
by Jeffshadows
President Obama signed the bill today...
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 31 2009 4:04 pm
by PaleoRob
Very cool!
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Mar 31 2009 5:02 pm
by dysfunction
In response to Jeff MacE:
Awesome!
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Jun 22 2011 10:55 am
by Dschur
National Scenic Trail passes through Rim Country
North-south state trail passes through Pine, Strawberry and will be finished in time for Arizona Centennial bash
By Michele Nelson
June 21, 2011
Joe Longbotham, a wiry man with a beard, a twinkle in his eye, a jaunty step and a love of the outdoors, channels the spirit of John Muir. He started hiking four years ago to keep healthy in retirement, then lost 30 pounds hiking more than 500 miles each year.
He also got deeply involved in the all-out effort to complete the Arizona National Scenic Trail, which traverses the whole state north to south and passes through Pine and Strawberry. The efforts of a host of volunteers like Longbotham will conclude next year with the completing of the last link in that trail.
This map shows a section of the Arizona National Scenic Trail that passes through Rim Country. The trail runs the length of the state and will be finished next year.
In 2007, Longbotham saw an Arizona Trails Association (ATA) trailhead sign. He decided to volunteer. “I’m attracted to volunteer work because I find those people are like who I aspire to be. My life is better when I associate with nice people,” he said.
Traveling light, (he uses ultra-light back-packing gear even forgoing a camp stove), Longbotham probably spends a couple of months a year working and hiking on trails.
But his volunteer work building the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZNST) will end... full article at
http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2011/ ... m-country/
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Jun 22 2011 12:43 pm
by Tough_Boots
I wonder if that's the Joe I met on the Mazzie divide doing trail maintenance last month.
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Jun 22 2011 1:02 pm
by Sredfield
Aah, we knew Joe before he became a celebrity. Well deserved! He's done great work clearing dead fall on the Mazatzal Divide Trail.
But the work won't end when the trial is "finished," evidence the ongoing fires on Passage 1, the re-routes around new and expanding mines, the wear and tear of use and erosion, the need for alternate routes for bikes around wilderness, and , and , and . . . .
Keep an eye on
http://www.aztrail.org/calendar.html to get in the game!
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Jun 22 2011 4:37 pm
by Tough_Boots
@Sredfield
Aha! Same Joe! He mentioned your name when I mentioned HAZ. He was a super nice guy and let us share Horse Camp Seep with him for the night! I'm glad he's getting some props!
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Jun 23 2011 7:56 am
by Dschur
To celebrate Arizona’s 100th birthday, the ATA has created the Arizona Trail Centennial Adventure. The program calls on the public to get a group together, choose a section of trail and register by July 31 to help the organization get every inch of the trail hiked, biked, ridden and run.
“We’ve divided the trail into 100 pieces to represent 100 years,” Hicks said, “So far, many sections of the trail have been covered. Now we’re hoping some adventurous folks will take on some of the more remote portions of the trail.”
To register, see
http://www.aztrail. org/centennial/epicenter.html for all the information and references needed to sign up.
Re: AZ National Scenic Trail
Posted: Jun 23 2011 9:38 am
by Sredfield