Intrepid Reporter Bikes 850 Miles Across Arizona to Uncover Climate Change Impacts

In the fall of 2025, Arizona Republic climate reporter Joan Meiners embarked on a 7-week journey to bike the entire 850-mile length of the Arizona Trail, from Utah to Mexico. Her goal was to report on how climate change is impacting the state's landscapes and communities.

As Meiners made her way through the Coconino National Forest south of Flagstaff, she encountered extensive logging operations and heavy machinery that had disrupted the trail. Local officials explained that these "fuels thinning projects" were necessary to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and protect the city's watershed. However, a fire ecologist warned that building more roads and increasing human access to wilderness areas could actually increase the risk of ignition.

Further south, Meiners encountered the impacts of cattle grazing on public lands, with the trail heavily rutted by hoof prints. She noted that the Biden administration's efforts to designate conservation as a valid use of public lands were under threat, potentially leading to even more grazing and resource extraction.

Despite the challenges posed by the changing climate and human activities, Meiners met resilient hikers and bikers who were conquering the Arizona Trail. She spoke with the winner of the unsanctioned Arizona Trail race, who had completed the 800-mile journey in just 11 days. These athletes reported seeing more burn areas and erosion, which they attributed to the effects of climate change.

As Meiners neared the end of her journey, she reflected on the delicate balance between providing access to nature and preserving the wilderness. She concluded that while change is inevitable, it is up to us to find ways to share space with the natural world and ensure its survival.