Posted on 10/01/2017 5:59:02 AM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — With a passion for the outdoors, Rep. Martha McSally is launching an initiative to promote Arizona’s natural beauty and diverse landscape across the state.
On Saturday, she led an entourage of hikers from the Coronado National Memorial parking down the Arizona Trail to its starting point at the Arizona/Mexico border, highlighting the trail while calling attention to “the extraordinary diversity of public lands” in Arizona.
The 800-mile Arizona Trail extends from Arizona’s border with Mexico at its southernmost point and heads north to the border with Utah.
McSally said she plans to tackle the trail in sections, with Saturday’s 3.6-mile hike representing the first of several she’ll be taking throughout the state, until she has completed the entire trek.
“As I do this, I’ll have groups go with me that are passionate about the trail and Arizona’s beauty,” said McSally, who will be the first member of Congress to hike the entire trail, an endeavour she plans to tackle through different day hikes along the way.
The congresswoman was accompanied by several members of the community, including Boy Scout Troop 431 of Fort Huachuca, 13 Bisbee High School environmental students, members of the Arizona Trail Association and representatives from the Sierra Vista Tourism Commission.
Sean Masche, a Scout with Troop 431 said he loves hiking and the outdoors, so when he learned of the opportunity to experience that section of the Arizona Trail while meeting McSally, he wanted to participate.
“I’m looking forward to the whole experience of seeing this area, I’m interested in the history of the trail and I think it’s great that Congresswoman McSally will be leading our group down to the border where the trail starts,” he said.
A group of Bisbee High School students were introduced by Matthew Nelson, executive director of the Arizona Trail Association, as representatives of good trail stewardship and the trail system. Madison Dean was among the 13 students who embarked on the hike.
“I’m very excited about getting out on the trail,” she said. “This is something we wouldn’t normally get to do.”
When supplemented with Utah, Arizona can’t be beat.
I recommend buying the Indian Country map from Southern California AAA and spending several vacations there.
Troop 431......hmmm. guess there are thriving scout troops in Arizona too.
I like McSally. I just wish she were more Conservative.
McSally is a Cheap Labor Express stooge, awaiting her turn to be Arizona’s Amnesty Senator.
I love Arizona, especially the Flagstaff area.
Visited “Bed Rock” many times, this amusement park. is sadly no longer in business. My youngest daughter graduated from N.A.U. .
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.