8 minute read
See More of Pinal County From Its Trails
by ROX Media
See More of Pinal County
From Its Trails
by Blake Herzog
The variety and number of trails, and users of trails, across Arizona has exploded in recent years as people have fallen in love with the fitness benefits and the sheer joy of witnessing nature and its vistas at a slower pace.
So much is missed from driving past at 50-plus mph — the calls of birds, the rustle of grass, the crunch of gravel under feet, bicycle tires or horse hooves that remind us of our connection to and impact on the planet we call home.
Pinal County’s diverse topography gives residents and visitors a chance to absorb mountains, valleys, deserts, grasslands and forests. Depending on ability and preparation, they can choose from trails as long as the nearly 100 miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail that cuts through the Copper Corridor in the east to shorter, more accessible ones throughout the rest of the county.
Remember, wherever and however long you’re hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding (where allowed), at least bring a good supply of water, and be careful around any snakes or other potentially dangerous wildlife you may come across.
ARIZONA TRAIL
The Arizona National Scenic Trail is an 800-mile path for nonmotorized traffic stretching from Buckskin Mountain on the Utah border to the Huachuca Mountains on the international border with Mexico. It attracts hikers and mountain bikers from around the state and country who travel its entire length, as well as day trippers and those checking it out for the first time.
It enters Pinal County from the south at Oracle Ridge and sweeps through the heart of the county’s mining country, carving its own path to the west of Highway 177 once it leaves Oracle. Hikers get to see the Black Hills, Tortilla Mountains, Gila River, Alamo and Reavis canyons and on to the Superstition Wilderness.
Information: www.aztrail.org
LEGENDS OF SUPERIOR TRAIL
If you’re in Superior to visit the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, you can also check out the Legends of Superior Trail (LOST), an excellent 11.65-mile introduction to Superior’s historic and geographical highlights and the first community connector trail from the Arizona Trail.
Organized into segments based on geologic and historic contexts, the westernmost 6.5 miles branches off from the Arizona Trail at the Picketpost trailhead and plunges into all of Arnett Canyon’s beauty.
Keep going and you’ll see the remains of the area’s first mining community, Pinal City, within the present-day Town of Superior. LOST continues onto historic Main Street past shops old and new, then on
Peralta Canyon Trail
Picacho Photo: Blushing Cactus Photography
into Queen Creek Canyon, past its bridge and through the Claypool Tunnel, the first to give drivers access from Superior to Claypool, Miami and Globe.
Information: www.superioraztrails. com
PICACHO PEAK STATE PARK
The jagged peak that stands sentry over Interstate 10 on the way to Tucson is best-known for prime wildflower viewing during spring, but as that season passes there are plenty of reasons to visit, preferably earlier in the morning or near sunset in the early summer (the state park’s trails are open from sunrise to sunset).
All of the park’s trails are relatively short but vary widely in difficulty. The Nature’s Walk and Children’s Cave paths are half a mile or less and include interpretive signs, while the Calloway trail is just over two-thirds of a mile and leads to a scenic overlook with dramatic vistas to the south and west.
The Hunter and Sunset Vista trails are considerably more difficult, with the 1.6-mile Hunter described as a “resistant path” in the park’s brochure. Both include steel cables on the rockiest summits, with the use of gloves highly recommended.
The Sunset Vista winds around the south and west sides of the mountain for 2.6 miles up to its “saddle;” it is not recommended for the warmest weather.
Information: www.azstateparks. com/picacho
PERALTA TRAIL
One of the most popular trails in the entire state, it travels from the edge of the community of Gold Canyon for 6.5 miles into the Superstition Wilderness, which brings you deep into the mountains that define the Apache Junction and Gold Canyon area.
From the trailhead to the Fremont Saddle much of the surface is bedrock and can be difficult for some hikers, but smoother areas pass through lush desert growth and past more saguaros than you can count.
Those who make it up to the saddle are rewarded with phenomenal views of the Weaver’s Needle spire and nearby hoodoos, but the trail offers very little shade, so remember to take plenty of water no matter what time of year it is.
Information: www.fs.usda.gov/ recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/ recarea/?recid=35485&actid=50
Pinal County Press
ARIZONA CITY | CASA GRANDE | COOLIDGE | ELOY | FLORENCE | MARICOPA CONTINUED
Anthony Smith Named Pinal Partnership CEO
Former Pinal County Supervisor Anthony Smith has been named president/CEO of the Pinal Partnership, a nonprofit group that brings stakeholders together to support the county’s economic growth and transportation infrastructure.
Smith’s predecessor, Harold Christ, has transitioned into a role on the partnership’s executive committee, and both will continue to work with Executive Director Melissa Johnson to market the county and grow the organization, according to a press release.
Smith, who retired from the board last year after serving two four-year terms, said, “Pinal County has risen to be on the forefront of new growth and development within Arizona. Using our collective resources, I’m confident we will overcome our current challenges to achieve an exciting new future. I am honored to be selected for this important position and will give Pinal Partnership my best efforts.”
Before he was elected supervisor in 2012, Smith was mayor of the City of Maricopa for four years.
Christ, owner of Florence’s Windmill Winery and original developer of Gold Canyon Ranch, was chairman of the Pinal Partnership board when he became CEO in 2017, taking over the role from another former county supervisor, Sandie Smith.
He said: “Anthony Smith as a former mayor and county supervisor, brings to Pinal Partnership his wealth of knowledge of the county and his strategic planning skills to help Pinal Partnership bring together all the people and ideas that will
Anthony Smith, Pinal Partnership CEO
ultimately lead Pinal County to reach its full potential.”
Pinal Partnership was formed in 2005 to improve research, planning and coordination of private and public efforts related to infrastructure, natural resources and community development in Pinal County. Its committees are studying the areas of business and education; open space and trails; health and human services; government relations; economic development; renewable energy; transportation and infrastructure; and water resources.
Area Code… continued from page 84
This change is necessitated by the adoption of “988” as the threedigit abbreviated dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, similar to 911 for emergency response calls.
All U.S. area codes that have not transitioned to mandatory 10-digit dialing and use 988 as a telephone number prefix have been mandated by the FCC to adopt 10-digit dialing to ensure there would be no conflicts for people trying to reach the suicide hotline.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will become accessible via 988 on July 16, 2022. Until that date callers must dial 800-2738255 (TALK) to reach the suicide prevention line. This toll-free number will continue to work after the abbreviated code is activated.
The number is intended for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and those trying to help them. Calls are routed to the nearest crisis center for immediate counseling and access to local mental health services.
Terri Durham, Office Coordinator
Somewhere between the rows of tomatoes, squash and peppers you’ll find the newest addition to our Seeds of Hope family: Community Garden Coordinator Melissa Bacigalupa.
Melissa is an AmeriCorps VISTA member spending her time cultivating relationships with volunteers while cultivating seasonal produce in our garden.
Melissa moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico to work with Seeds of Hope for one year. And she’s hit the ground running! She’s already partnered with University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, a Cub Scout troop, Eagle Scout, Thrive Academy, youth from the LDS church, another local community garden grower and a few community members to adopt rows and begin planting.
Food that is harvested this season will be used in some of our other programs like the Hot Lunch and Los Angeles de Esperanza. Melissa plans occasional workshops and live demonstrations in the garden to promote a healthier lifestyle when it comes to food choices.
According to the AmeriCorps website, “Members in the VISTA program have joined the fight against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. Through capacity building activities such as fundraising, grant writing research, and volunteer recruitment AmeriCorps members gain experience and leadership skills that helps prepare them for a life of service.”
If you want to plant, water and harvest as a garden volunteer or just stay up to date on garden news, join our Seeds of Hope Community Garden Facebook group. Got an idea or want to share information about gardening? Melissa can be reached by calling our administration office at 520-836-6335 or by email at Melissa@ seedsofhopeaz.com
