April 02, 2009

Arizona Trail Receives National Scenic Trail Designation

Mormon Lake, AZ - The Arizona Trail has been added to the exclusive list of National Scenic Trails. Since the National Scenic Trail act was first passed in 1968, Congress has recognized "open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the nation." This exclusive list of protected trails has only contained eight footpaths of national and historic beauty for the past 26 years, but when President Barack Obama signed HR 146 on March 30, 2009, the Arizona Trail and five other trails were added to the list.

The Arizona Trail began in 1988 with only seven miles of trails, and has since grown to over 800 miles - beginning at the US-Mexico border to the Arizona-Utah border. As the trail stretches from one side of the state to the other, it winds through a wide range of ecologically diverse land - from mountain ranges to canyons, woodlands and forest to the Sonoran desert - and even the Grand Canyon. 99% of the trail is on public lands - and trail is primarily maintained by volunteer members of the Arizona Trail Association.

The trail is the vision of Flagstaff resident Dale Shewalter, who in the summer of 1985 began visualizing how to connect existing trails into one continuous trail that would traverse the state from north to south. The trail is divided into 43 sections, or "passages."

Passage #30, the Mormon Lake passage is about 33 miles and stretches from Allan Lake to Marshall Lake. This portion of the trail follows the incomplete Arizona Mineral Belt Railroad off and on, which was started in the 1880s but never finished, and skirts the famous Lowell Observatory, as well as a number of campgrounds and lakes in the Coconino National Forest.

Mormon Lake Lodge, a Forever Resort property, is a popular stop for hikers on this segment of the trail. The Lodge property also includes an RV Park and Campground - which means any trail hiker, regardless of budget, can enjoy access to phone service, restrooms, showers, coin operated laundry, and are welcome to visit the Lodge's gas station, country store which carries a large supply of grocery as well as camping and medical supplies and a post office.

The Lodge's famed Steakhouse is home to one of the few authentic open-pit grills still in operation in Arizona - and is a perfect way to refuel before heading back out on the trail. On Friday and Saturday summer nights, local live entertainment is featured in the 1800s style saloon, open 7 nights a week in season, Friday and Saturday nights in the winter.

Mormon Lake Lodge, a Forever Resort, congratulates the work of the Arizona Trail Association and its members on achieving this historic designation. Mormon Lake Lodge has supported the Arizona Trail Association's by providing the facilities and hosting the "Arizona Trail Mormon Lake Rendezvous" (in conjunction with the National Public Lands Day) for the past three years.

The Lodge has also sponsored the Arizona Trail Association's annual meeting which has been held on Lodge property and attracted over 200 attendees. In addition, Larry Snead, Environmental and Interpretive Programs Director at Mormon Lake Lodge, is a former executive director for the Arizona Trail Association.

» Visit the Mormon Lake Lodge website

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