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Tonto National Forest – Arizona National Scenic Trail

October 11, 2020 - October 17, 2020

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TRIP CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19:

 

The Arizona National Scenic trail travels 800 miles across the state of Arizona between the Mexican border and Utah. It highlights the diversity of wild landscapes in Arizona from the iconic Sonoran desert to deep ponderosa forests. This project is located in the rugged and mysterious Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix and involves building approximately 1 mile of new trail to bypass a tricky road near the head of Cottonwood Canyon. This area was burned in the 2019 Woodbury fire, but regrowth is coming back fast. Working on gently sloping terrain in rocky soils, we’ll need to brush a corridor, clear the tread and build some rock maintenance structures. We’ll be using standard digging tools such as picks, shovels, and McCleods as well as some lopping and sawing. Our camp will be close to the work site, but each time we build more trail, we’ll walk farther to access it.

Host

Arizona Trail Association

Accommodations

Primitive Tent Sites

Hiking/Access

Day hiking up to 2 miles each work day

Project Rating

Difficult

Minimum Volunteer Age

16

Maximum Group Size

10

Area and Attractions

The Superstition Mountains are one of the most legendary wilderness areas in Arizona - rugged, remote and hauntingly beautiful. Here, at the edge of the Sonoran desert, the trail provides challenge to both hikers and trail workers. It is a place that seems lost in time - a unique intersection of nature and culture - where cowboys still manage their herds and coyotes still howl to the moon. Events on the Arizona National Scenic trail offer an opportunity to work side-by-side with others who share a love of nature and a passion for the trail. Volunteers dig deep to learn about what it takes to make great trails and build a strong community. Also, the ATA prides itself on offering top quality camp meals. Accommodations may be primitive, but the hospitality never should be! You'll work up an appetite, and we'll reward it. Volunteers should bring their own camping gear. On our relaxation day, we can tour the nearby Tonto National Monument which features 700 year old Salado Culture cliff dwellings nestled in the unusual setting of saguaros and prickly pear. The park offers many opportunities to interpret both the desert and the peoples who inhabited it. Nearby the waters of Roosevelt Lake - one of the largest lakes in Arizona - glisten under the desert sun. It's a land of stark contrasts, and there are hundreds of miles of trail to explore.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay in primitive camping sites, with no built facilities. Potable water will be carried to camp for our use. Volunteers should bring their own tent, sleeping bag/sleeping pad, cup/bowl/mug/eating utensils, and personal gear.

Travel

Airport Pickup Provided from Sky Harbor International Airport. Airport pickup and dropoff times will be sent to registrants when the trip is confirmed.

Location

Tonto National Forest – Arizona National Scenic Trail
1000 W Country Club Drive, Payson, AZ 85541 United States
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