Along the Gila: Celebrating the Arizona Trail
| Copper Area
Super-cool signs by Rob Bauer announce the miles on the Arizona Trail near Superior./Copper Area
The Arizona Trail stretches from Mexico to Utah, 800 miles of scenic beauty taking in most the climate zones Arizona has to offer, save for the tip-top of the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. Probably not many of us think about it (especially in the summer), but this is becoming one of the most significant hiking trails in the United States. It has become a “must do” for serious hikers not only from the United States, but around the world.
Superior, Kearny, and Oracle are Gateway Communities to the Arizona Trail. Each community marks a segment of the trail, and hikers depend on each of the segments for trail supplies, a fresh shower and a bed, mail, and food and refreshments. Both Kearny and Superior have experienced a surge in hiking visitors over the past year. I don’t know about you know about serious hiking (I’m pretty much a couch potato now), but it is a quickly growing recreational sport. Towns along hiking trails are becoming destinations for visitors, including winter visitors who want to do more than avoid snow and live in a city.
