VOLUNTEERS NEED FOR MARICOPA TRAIL

BECOME A MARICOPA TRAIL AMBASSADOR

The Trail Ambassador Volunteer Training Program is a collaborative effort between Maricopa County Parks and Recreation and the Maricopa Trail & Park Foundation. Trail Ambassadors are crucial in preserving our trails and creating a safe, enjoyable environment for everyone. Funding for the training is provided by the Arizona State Parks and Trails Grants Program.

Ambassador Responsibilities

·       Offer guidance and share information with trail users

·       Monitor trail conditions and report any hazards

·       Perform minor trail maintenance and participate in maintenance projects

·       Promote Leave No Trace principles and proper trail etiquette

·       Encourage a welcoming and positive atmosphere for hikers, bikers, and equestrians

Fall Recruiting Events

Join us at one of our upcoming recruiting events—meet the team, ask questions, and sign up to become a Trail Ambassador. We will provide information, swag, and have on-site registration.

·       October 4: Desert Botanical Garden (9 AM–12 PM) — Includes a presentation on Sonoran Desert Plants and Invasive Species, plus a short walking tour. There is no charge to attend this event

·       October 11: Usery Mountain Regional Park Windcave Trailhead (9 AM–12 PM)

·       October 18: White Tank Mountain Regional Park Mesquite Trailhead (9 AM–12 PM)

Program Benefits

·       Flexible shifts on your favorite trails

·       Official Trail Ambassador apparel

·       Safety and educational training

·       Recognition at annual volunteer events

·       Opportunities to connect with nature and fellow trail enthusiasts

Basic Requirements

·       Must be 18 years or older and able to pass a background check

·       Attend an Ambassador training session

·       Familiarity with desert trail use and etiquette

·       Comfortable working outdoors independently

How to Join

Stop by our booth at a recruiting event or register online:

·       🌐 www.maricopacountyparks.net

·       🌐 www.mctpf.org

Training Sessions

·       October 26: Usery Mountain Regional Park Visitor Center (9 AM–12 PM)

·       November 8: White Tank Mountain Regional Park Visitor Center (9 AM–12 PM)

·       November 9: Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant (9 AM–12 PM)

·       November 22: Cave Creek Regional Park Visitor Center (9 AM–12 PM)

Del Sol Trail

 DEL SOL TRAIL

Cathedral Rock and Wilson Mountain

An 

underappreciated slice of 

Coconino National Forest just got an upgrade.  

A slick rock overlook on the Del Sol Trail 

With the  opening of the new Del Sol Trail off Verde Valley School Road near the Village of Oak Creek, hikers, bikers and equestrians get a taste of what’s in the works for the Turkey Creek area south of the popular Baldwin-Cathedral Rock system of trails.  

Cliffs bolster the Del Sol Trail

The 3.3-mile, moderate-rated route which opened this summer is to be a main artery in a 10-trail, 21-mile matrix of non-motorized trails which are projected to be completed between 2026 and 2028.  

Sign at the Transept Trailhead

Beginning at the Transept trailhead, the Del Sol Trail never strays too far from the road and brushes up against private properties in spots.

Amazing rock formations throughout the hike

But the fringe of suburbs, ranches and the Verde Valley School visible below the trail doesn’t dilute the distinct Red Rock Country ambience.  

A shady patch on the Del Sol Trail

Patches of pinion pine, junipers, sugar sumac provide sporadic shade as the trails twists its way through shrubby high desert terrain.  

A sunny meadow on the Del Sol Trail

The, yucca-studded, easy-to-follow route gains over 400 feet of elevation, but hairpin turns that slingshot around scoured drainages and long switchbacks make the climb sections virtually sweatless.

Verde Valley School below the trail

Where the trail traverses slickrock, white arrows mark the way. Bolstered by soaring sandstone cliffs to the west and expansive vistas to the east and north, the trail is generous with eye candy.  

North terminus at the Turkey Creek Trailhead

White arrows mark the way over slick rock

About half way in, slick rock overlooks serve up gorgeous views of iconic rock formations including Capitol Butte, Cathedral Rock and Bear Mountain.  Beyond the highpoint photo opps, the path winds downhill ending with an easy stroll in soft pink sand to meet the Turkey Creek Trail—a legacy route that until now, was one of only a handful of sanctioned trails in the shadow of the House Mountain Volcano.

More trails are coming to the Turkey Creek area

Bear Mountain on the horizon

LENGTH:  3.3 miles one way

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  3,962 – 4,200 feet

GETTING THERE:

SOUTH (Transept) TRAILHEAD:

From the State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, go 2.1 miles west on Verde Valley School Road to the parking apron on the left.

NORTH (Turkey Creek) TRAILHEAD:

From the State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, go 4 miles west on Verde Valley School Road to Forest Road 216B on the left.  Go a few yards and park near the forest service sign on the left. The Del Sol Trail starts directly behind the sign. The last half-mile on Verde Valley School Road is graded dirt suitable for all vehicles.

There are no fees or facilities at either trailhead. E-bikes are not allowed.

 

 

 

Government Trail Grand Re-Opening 2025

GOVERNMENT TRAIL GRAND RE-OPENING

Alpine Trail Stewards & forest service reps

For 14 years, the Government Trail #119 languished in the charred scar of the Wallow Fire.  The 2011 blaze devastated over a half-million acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Eastern Arizona.  Hundreds of miles of trails were obliterated in the densely forested high-country beloved by outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.

Willows in a wet meadow on Government Trail

The fire left behind dangerous conditions including toppling dead trees, debris obstacles and flooding that made getting into the area to restore the damage an especially risky and physically demanding endeavor. 

Burn scar from the Wallow Fire

But over the past few years, with most of the dead trees down and new growth starting to take hold, the forest is at the point where it’s somewhat manageable and ready for repair work.

Stewards cut hundreds of logs on the trail

Thanks to grassroots volunteer group, the Alpine Trail Stewards, many formerly unhikable paths are being brought back from oblivion. 

Rocky Mountain iris bloom in the wet meadow

Working closely with the forest service, the group lead by Debbie and Aaron Fogle of Nutrioso has already identified and cleared miles of trails. The couple are seasoned outdoors people who know a thing or two about the area. 

This new sign was posted at the trailhead 6-7-25

Debbie is a horse trainer by trade who runs two outfitting companies: Women in the Wild and Hike Southwest while Aaron is a big game outfitter. They’re both hell-bent on sharing their love of the White Mountains not only with their businesses, but by giving back to the community through volunteer trail restoration work.

Stewards on a mission to the switchbacks

On Saturday June 7, 2025—National Trails Day—the group celebrated the grand re-opening of the Government Trail.  The 3-mile route that climbs the flanks of Escudilla Mountain near Alpine is now clear of deadfall and marked with cairns and bright tape.  There’s still some work to do on the upper switchbacks, but after a massive effort, the route is ready for its closeup!

New trail signage

The historic trail that was built for forest service workers to access the old fire tower and cabin on the summit, begins in a wet meadow below the western slopes of the 10,912-foot volcanic mountain.  Open to the sun, and fringed with survivor pines, the meadow features stands of willows, clumpy grasses and summer wildflowers that attract wildlife including amphibians, elk, deer, bear and swarms of butterflies.  Right from the start, the magnitude of work done by the Alpine Trail Stewards is apparent.  The 16 volunteers  that worked on the project over the past months cut 832 trees (537 of them using a hand crosscut saw due to wilderness restrictions) and contributed 550 hours in unpaid time brushing, clearing and removing hazards.

National Trails Day event 6-7-2025

The meadow walk is easy for about a mile up to where the freshly forged single track meets a closed two-track and begins a steady climb to where the trail enters the Escudilla Wilderness Area, taking on a series of switchbacks and seriously steep segments.  Compared to the Escudilla National Recreation Trail #308 that ascends the other side of the hill, this one is a bear.  Rife with loose rock and stripped of all the trees that had shaded its track before the fire, the switchback sections of the trail plow through rough talus slopes.  If it weren’t for the outstanding White Mountains vistas, you might wonder why you tackled this challenging hike. 

Optional side trip to the fire tower

White Mountains vistas from the upper trail

The two trails meet in an alpine meadow that evidently took the brunt of the Wallow Fire.  For an optional longer trek, hang a left here to continue another mile up to the closed fire tower near the summit.  The two trails are not technically looped, but by parking a second vehicle at the Escudilla trailhead, hikers can avoid the slippery downhill by using #308 as the return leg.

Rock cairns and tape mark the trail

LENGTH: 

Government Trail only: 6 miles roundtrip

With Escudilla Summit: 8 miles roundtrip

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION:

Government Trail Only: 8,626 – 10,600 feet

With Escudilla Summit:  8,626 - 10,877 feet

GETTING THERE:

From Springerville, go south on U.S. 191/180 for about 20 miles to Forest Road 8056 on the left between mileposts 420 and 421which is signed for Hulsey Lake and Terry Flat.  Go 2.6  miles on FR 8056 (past the Husley Lake day use site) and turn left at a Wildlife Habitat Area sign. Follow this road a short way to the signed trailhead on the right. FR 8056 is maintained gravel suitable for most vehicles. 

INFO:

Alpine Trail Stewards

https://hikesouthwest.com/alpine-trail-stewards-2/

Taawa Trail

TAAWA TRAIL

A steep drop-off on the Taawa Trail

One of Flagstaff’s newest hiking routes is destined to become an Arizona high-country classic.  

Completed in the fall 2024, the Taawa Trail is the last trail to be built in Flagstaff’s Mount Elden-Dry Lake Hills (MEDL) area and is one of the few designated for hiker-only use.  The challenging yet approachable path seamlessly melds easy mountain traipses with aggressive climbing. 

A survivor Alligator Juniper on the Taawa Trail

It’s kind of like eating ice cream with habanero sauce.

The close-to-town MEDL trail system has been popular with non-motorized trail users since its debut in 1987. In addition to its recently expanded menu of new stacked loops, the area also shares space with the Arizona National Scenic Trail and the Flagstaff Loop Trail.

Volcanic boulders line the Taawa Trail

View of the San Francisco Peaks from Taawa Trail

Trail planning, design and construction was a hyper-local effort with contributions from the U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest Flagstaff Ranger District, American Conservation Experience, and many volunteer hours and fundraising events organized by local bike organizations and local businesses.

The Taawa Trail is for hikers only

The results are breathtaking.  New signage mitigates the formerly confusing and disruptive unauthorized paths.  Beautiful singletracks follow the natural contours of the land as they meander through diverse eco zones that rise from pinion-juniper woodlands where tiny cacti huddle among boulders to aspen glens and high elevation fir-spruce forests.  All in just a few miles of switchback-mitigated climbing.

Claret cup cactus color the trails May -July

The Taawa Trail –which is named for the Hopi word for sun spirit or creator--replaces a maze of social paths including the Lost Burrito Trail on its lower half. 

Access Taawa Trail from the Rocky Ridge Trail

The trail’s upper segment is all new, sustainable construction aligned to protect wildlife, keep hikers safe and deliver an exceptional outdoor experience.  The 2.1-mile trail that ascends more than 1,000 feet can be accessed from the Shultz Creek Trailhead by hiking 0.6-mile on the Rocky Ridge Trail to the Taawa junction. 

A steep, tricky spot on the upper Taawa Trail

It’s easy going for the first mile up to where the trail makes its first crossing of the Big Bang Trail. 

Make a return loop using the Big Bang Trail

That’s where a set of tight, edgy switchbacks take on the foothills.  Steep and exposed, the thin path climbs steadily through stony passages in pine-oak woodlands. 

A shady segment on the Taawa switchbacks

The vertical assault calms down after about a half mile, leveling out in patchy high meadows where trees part just enough to give up fantastic views of the San Francisco Peaks and the town of Flagstaff below.  The trail ends at its high point at the second Big Bang Trail junction.

Summer storms build quickly in mountain climes

From here, hikers can either back track or make a return loop using Big Bang for a slightly longer, more challenging trek.

LENGTH:  5.4 miles out-and-back as described here.  6.4 miles with Big Bang return option.

RATING:  moderate-difficult

ELEVATION: 7,160 – 8,422. feet

GETTING THERE:

Schultz Creek Trailhead: In Flagstaff, go 3 miles north on U.S. 180 (Humphreys Street) and turn right on to Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420). Continue 0.5-mile on FR 420 and make a hard left at the Elden Lookout Road (Forest Road 577) "Y" and go another half mile on FR 420 to the parking area on the left.  There are no fees or facilities at the trailhead. 

INFO:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino