JEN RINALDI

Pictures courtesy of Jack and Jane Dyer and Arizona Alpine Trail, Inc.

Imagine an almost 800-mile trail system loop that would begin in Payson go to Hannigan Meadow south of Alpine and back to Payson, with spurs that would allow users access to nearly all the rural communities in eastern Arizona. For example, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Eagar, Alpine, and Hannagan Meadow, bringing people into the untamed wilderness, and their dollars to all those towns along the route. 

That is the goal of Arizona Alpine Trail, Inc., in partnership with the National Forest Service, Arizona State Parks and Trails, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Game and Fish, local county and city governments, and local law enforcement.

FIRST, A LITTLE HISTORY. 

In 2021, during Covid, when sequestered at home, a group of OHV enthusiasts decided to form a group to explore the possibility of creating a trail system like the Arizona Peace Trail (AZPT). Among them were Jerry Smith, former vice mayor of Pinetop-Lakeside, Jack Dyer, and Chuck Wood. 

They were aware of the AZPT and had ridden in southwestern Arizona. They were also aware of the economic benefits to the towns and attractions along the way. The AZPT is a 675-mile loop trail that spans three counties (La Paz, Yuma, and Mohave) and traverses from the northern cities of Bullhead City and Kingman through deserts along the Colorado River to Yuma on the border of Mexico and is well used by, Jeeps, OHV’s, motorcycles, bikes, equestrians, and hikers.

Jerry, Jack, Chuck and others in their group formed Arizona Alpine Trail, Inc. and is it a 501 C (3).  The group then began working earnestly, outlining their goals, creating a website, and applying for a grant from Arizona State Parks and Trails to develop a trail master plan. They also began contacting various state and local organizations to help them achieve their goals. 

As Jerry Smith, their President, states.

“Our mission is to develop, maintain, document, and promote a trail system that can be used by Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) enthusiasts to explore areas in Eastern Arizona while encouraging tourist development in the towns connected to the trail system.”

Arizona Alpine Trail (AZAT) has similar aspirations to that of The Arizona Peace Trail – in their master plan, they wish to feature attractions for riders to visit in each community that they would pass on their rides, bringing tourist dollars to each community while enjoying our beautiful backcountry and all it has to offer. By building a trail system like this, AZAT hopes to create a 700 - 800-mile loop for OHV enthusiasts, hikers, equestrians, and bikers. To achieve this monumental task, they have partnered with Arizona State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service to find routes that would utilize old mining roads and existing trails and, in some cases, create new trails. AZAT hopes that by creating these marked and maintained trails it will lessen self-made trails, increase safety, and preserve the White Mountains’ pristine feel. The project will benefit our community and our public lands and will promote the sport of OHV riding with awareness of safety and respect for the environment.

In June of this year, AZAT was awarded a grant from Arizona State Parks and Trails to begin a master plan, laying the groundwork for future trail development. Improvements, signage and trail maintenance. Logan Simpson Design will conduct archeological, wildlife and any other impact studies needed, and will be the engineering group that will oversee all technical or engineering work to ensure that the new trail meets all the required guidelines. 

AZAT wishes to improve the outdoor off-highway experience by providing consistent signage along routes, trail maintenance, and adding special signage to direct OHV traffic to businesses such as lodging, restaurants, gas, car washes, groceries, etc.

The total mileage for all trails linking the above cities will begin at approximately 700 to 800 miles, but the total mileage will increase as links are created that connect main trails to points of interest. The final project will be to create trails that provide a fun trip from any of the communities listed above. 

The development of the multi-trail system is a lengthy process involving many different communities, counties, ADOT, Apache/Sitgreaves, Tonto, and Coconino National Forests. And future possible partnerships with BLM, Arizona State Trust Lands, and private property owners. Bringing all the different interested parties together and reaching necessary agreements takes time. Many of the proposed trail routes are currently being used by different OHV groups and many agreements must be reached before the trails become accepted as “official.”

Off-roading is here to stay and has become a part of the wilderness experience, so great care must be taken to provide for it. In a study by the University of Arizona in March 2020, motorized trail users spend an average of $259 per user/per day. That money would be flowing into the towns on the routes proposed. With so many OHV vehicles coming to the White Mountains, it is prudent to have available trails that are easily accessed and good signage to direct visitors. 



In upcoming segments, I will document AZAT’s progress, explore the economic impact, introduce some existing trails that will be included in the loop, and interview some of the people working to make this possible. 

If you would like more information, you can visit their website @ https://azalpinetrail.org/