Saguaro National Park, AZ: Continuing the IMBA/NPS Partnership

It was great to hike Saguaro NP with a diverse group of trail users, and discuss what types of trail improvements would suit everyone's needs.
The spectacular park offers many possibilities for "positive control points" like this scenic overlook.
Mountain biking in Saguaro NP offers a healthy, low-impact trail experience ... and lots of grins.

The Saguaro National Park is one of the growing number of National Parks which is incorporating mountain bikers into its pool of trail users. Upon the request of Jeremy Curtis, the trails planner at Saguaro, Anna Laxague and Jason Wells of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew were given the opportunity to advise the park trails department on the construction of a new trail. Upon completion this trail will connect a section of the Arizona Trail to existing trail networks inside the park.

The Trail Care Crew set out with local trail advocate Mark Flint, and Jeremy Curtis to hike through the incredible landscape of the Saguaro National Park Wilderness and assess possible routes for the new trail.

After an exciting day of walking amongst 70-year-old Saguaro Cacti in planning the new trail for the park, it was time to conduct a Subaru/IMBA Trail Building School. Anna and Jason were happy to see a diverse group of trail users in attendance, including hikers and mountain bikers, and ranging in age from 25 to 76. The school was a huge success and ended with a walk through the Saguaro National Park multi use trail system where participants found ways to improve their favorite trails with their new trail building knowledge.

Working in a National Park and being able to assist the Park Service in designing trails is always an exciting job for the Trail Care Crews. The beautiful landscapes at Saguaro National Park make for incredible recreational opportunities and fantastic mountain bike trails. If you're ever in the Tucson area, stop by and check out the forest of Saguaro. Just watch out for the vegetation, it's not very soft!