What is the Arizona Trail?

The Arizona Trail is an 850-mile hiking and biking trail that runs from Utah to Mexico, through the state of Arizona.

How did climate change impact the Arizona Trail?

According to the article, climate change has led to more burn areas, erosion, and extreme weather conditions along the Arizona Trail, making it more challenging for hikers and bikers.

What is the Arizona Trail race?

The Arizona Trail race is an unsanctioned, unsupported event that tracks riders as they climb and descend 90,000 feet on the 800-mile journey from Mexico to Utah, the reverse of the reporter's trek. This year's first female finisher completed the distance in just 11 days.

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

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

3 Nov

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Summary

Arizona reporter bikes 850-mile Arizona Trail to cover climate change impacts
Logging, grazing, and roadbuilding threaten the state's wilderness areas
Hikers and bikers conquer the challenging trail despite climate-driven changes

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.