HikeArizona.COM

As some/most/all of you may know, back in (around) 1996 Backpacker magazine created National Trails Day...the idea being that one day each year, hikers/backpackers/trail users would give back through an all out effort across the country to do trail maintenance...be it picking up trash, clearing brush, or even more involved work with trail crews...now like most of you, I tend to pick up trash as I hike, so I know you all know what I'm talking about...

Each year Pat and I have done our own Trails Day thing...mostly just picking up trash on Wind Cave Trail....this past June I checked out a few of the organized events, and was surprised to discover that I couldn't find an event to do actually trail maintenance, but did find a bunch of trail expos/festivals...

So, I was thinking, maybe next year (June 1, 2003) HAZ members can sponsor/put together/offer up a Trails Day activity....then I was also thinking that we could maybe do a monthly/bi-monthly trail maintenance activity...be it on the same trail each month, or rotate the trail each month, whatever, I just thought it might be a cool thing. A way to give back a bit...

It could be as simple as each month, someone (me, GTG, Mike, whoever) picks a trail, a date, and a time, and whoever can show up does so and we just do light maintenance...pick up trash, etc as we hike the trail...of course, a meal afterward could be planned, along with adult beverages, etc...or maybe someone picks up a bunch of coffee's for before the work starts...whatever...

Anyone interested? What do you think?

I have been picking up trash along the forest service roads to First Water and Peralta. I also pick up trash in the area where Mesquite wash and Sycamore Creek join just west of the Beeline Highway.

Sounds like a great idea. You can count me in. I'm always looking for a reason to hit the trail. I saw a guy on Squaw Peak today with a bag and one of those garbage picker sticks. I thought , "what a cool dude."

You won't scoff at me if I just drink kid stuff though, will you?

kurthzone wrote:You won't scoff at me if I just drink kid stuff though, will you?

First off, I rarely scoff. Secondly, my beverage of choice is Diet Pepsi, which Joe will confirm is the nector of the gods. (old posts)...and finally...where can someone buy one of those spear stick/garbage picker things????

That's cool. I didn't really think you were the scoffing type. As for the trash picker, I don't have a clue.

Count me in. And as far as those sticks I'll check it out. I think I know just who to ask!

finally...where can someone buy one of those spear stick/garbage picker things????[/quote]

WW Graingers, many valley locations, or a good janitorial suply like "Waxies" in Tempe

Harbor freight sells them, and some of the stores that sell tolls (located usually in small strip plaza's) sell them as well, usually less than $ 10.00

I think it's a great idea Colin

We hiked Black Mesa last weekend, and Pass Mountain Trail today. We didn't see one speck of refuse (other than pooch/horse poop). We were really impressed. Makes the whole feel of the hike more special.

I'm all for something along those lines Colin. What a grand gesture. I ALWAYS do my part when out-and-about.

Hey, those two hikes I mentioned are kick pumpkin if anyone hasn't had the pleasure yet... I'm sure there are better in the Valley, and we're working on it...

I'd be all for it too ck1. REI in Tempe and PV usually sponsers some kind of trail maintenance or construction shindig for Trails Day. Last couple years it was working on parts of the Arizona Trail.

Not to say that REI or the AZ Trail couldn't use our help, but I'd be more interested in a HAZ activity. Good idea.

-Nealz

Count me in guys. ANY excuse to get back on the trails, even as trash picker upper. LOL

I just got back from camping on the rim and noted the adopt a highway segment between Deer Creek and Barnhardt trail turnoffs along north bound Beeline (AZ 87).

Ya know...I was thinking about the adopt a highway thing also....I haven't noticed a whole lot of trash on any of my recent hikes...at least not enough to occupy more than a person or two.

Not to long ago we were talking about the trash out Apache Trail...maybe some type of highway cleanup would be a better use of manpower...either that or maybe trailhead cleanup...but even something like Camelback, as far as I can remember, it wasn't very dirty (trash wise)...

Are you guys interested in something more along the lines of picking up trash in a more public area, say Apache Trail, or some of the shore line of Canyon Lake, or even, Bush Highway...or Bee Line...I'm not certain what the best way to proceed is...

Has anybody encountered a trash filled trail as of late?

As for those trash picking upper sticks. They are easy to make. Buy some 1" diameter poles from home depot and pound a big nail in half way. I'd also suggest gloves for the job...

To make a clean-up fun, turn it into a scavanger hunt and award points for odd items...

If I remember correctly it is quite pricey to do the 'adot a highway'. Somewhere between $500-$700. I could be wrong. I think the lakes are a geat idea. We know there is garbage there

I like the idea of "giving something back", so count me in to help. I think I'd rather work on a trail or trailhead, and not on a highway shoulder, if there's a vote being taken.

Are we talking about a trail-repair day (like fixing wash-outs) or are we gonna focus on trash? I don't have a nail-ended trash picker-upper or a shovel, but I can scrounge something up, I'm sure.

Rick

Saturday morning off of FR 80

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this isn't any suprise it's been bad as long as I can remember
it's an area about the size of a football field
also continues up an old jeep road to another smaller area

luckily it doesn't continue into the canyons or non-easily accessible areas

So does cleaning up an area such as this make sense/interest you guys? I know usually I pick up stuff around the trailhead, but have never gone out and cleaned up the nearby roads and such...

ck1, et all, count me in if my schedule will allow. I always pick up a bit of trash on the trail.
(picking up Hooli when he falls doesn't count does it?)

I'd also be ready to donate some money to have the HAZ group adopt a highway.

GTG