As Woodbury Fire scorches hiking trails, group already planning to rebuild key Arizona Trail

It may be a little early to start thinking about rehabilitating hiking trails while the 66,000-acre Woodbury fire continues to burn, but plans are already in process to restore one of the key trails facing the flames.

More than 40 hiking trails are within the wildfire closure area, either entirely or a portion of it, which prevents hikers from stepping foot into a potentially dangerous path including the well-known Arizona Trail, according to Tonto National Forest officials.  

The Woodbury Fire in the Superstitions Wilderness ignited June 8 and is 42% contained, forest officials said.

The Arizona Trail stretches across the length of Arizona, from the U.S-Mexico border up to Utah. The trail, which is also referenced as the “backbone of Arizona,” is known for its extensive path through different Arizona biomes and having a historical and cultural background.    

The Arizona Trail Association plans to rehabilitate the Arizona Trail as soon as the Forest Service gives the thumbs up for their staff and volunteers to enter the area to do a conditions assessment, Executive Director of the Arizona Trail Association, Matthew J. Nelson said.

“Since the Arizona Trail Association is committed to protecting and maintaining the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail, a portion of which is being impacted by the Woodbury Fire, we will leap into action the moment we are given clearance to do so,” Nelson said.  

This includes having to stabilize the hillsides above the trail that could slide down and obliterate the trail due to monsoon rains. 

“It’s not so much that the fire harms the trail, it’s the subsequent erosion. So, we do what we can with available resources to save the trail and keep the 800-mile Arizona Trail open and safe,” Nelson said.  

The Arizona Trail Association says it’s keeping a close eye on the fire as it blazes over parts of the trail in the Superstition mountains, but this is not its first time dealing with a wildfire threatening the trail. In fact, it has become a “standard practice,” Nelson said.  

But for hikers anxiously waiting to get back on the trail, it can take many weeks -- and sometimes months -- after a fire is 100% contained until the area can be safely accessed again.  

Not only is time against their side, but money can also be an issue. Restoration funding for damaged structures after a wildfire is only available for bridges, roads and buildings, not for hiking trails.  

“Trails are a pretty low priority for the agency when it comes to wildfire recovery...Most of the time our nonprofit organization provides the technical expertise, materials, volunteer labor and the funding for conservation corps to address priority trail rehabilitation efforts,” Nelson said.   

The Arizona Trail Association will solely be focusing on the restoration of the Arizona trail.  

Other popular hiking destinations that are potentially endangered by the impending blaze include the Weaver’s Needle on the Peralta trail and Reavis Ranch.  

The Peralta trail head and the Reavis trail are already closed, but as the fire grows it may reach these well-known hiking and backpacking areas.   

Reavis Ranch is known for the historical significance of Elisha Reavis who in 1876 settled in the area of the Superstition Mountains where he planted apple orchards that are still there to this day. The hike also features a natural spring, flower fields and campgrounds along the way, according Nine to Five Hiker.   

However, there are still hiking opportunities in the Tonto National Forest. The Fossil Creek trail and falls have remained untouched and are still available for avid hikers. 

Trails are not the only ones facing closures; marinas/boating sites, campgrounds, picnic sites, overlooks, information sites and others are also being closed due to the fire.

Sites that are still open include: Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flat, some areas of Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Lost Dutchman State Park and Oak Flat Campground.

For a complete list of updated closures, visit Inciweb's page for the Woodbury Fire. 

Breaking News Intern Aubrey Carpenter can be reached at Aubrey.Carpenter@arizonarepublic.com and can be followed at aubreycarp1.

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