ARIZONA—Tonto National Forest officials are working with the Rim Country Trails Working Group to improve and reroute trails on the Payson and Mesa ranger districts.

Payson District Ranger Matt Paciorek signed a decision memo for a plan that will reroute portions of the Highline National Recreation Trail (Highline Trail) along with portions of the Arizona National Scenic Trail and trails in the communities of Pine and Strawberry to locations that would make them more sustainable. 

“This initiative is a testament to the great partners we have,” Paciorek said. “I am looking forward to implementing this project on the ground, continuing our work with our partners and talking about next steps for the improvement of these and other trail systems.”

Forest Service officials and the working group identified the Highline Trail, Arizona National Scenic Trail—White Rock Mesa Passage 25 (White Rock Mesa Trail), Arizona National Scenic Trail—Sunflower Passage 22, Strawberry Trail and Red Rock Spring Trail as priority trails for improvement projects.

Rerouting sections will move these trails to a more sustainable location and provide a higher quality, non-motorized trail experience for all user groups and future generations. Projects will be designed to prevent erosion, improve watershed health and water quality, increase user safety and reduce maintenance of these forest system trails. 

The working group includes a host of partners, members from surrounding communities and specialized forest user groups, including Gila County, Arizona Trail Association, Pine Strawberry Fuels Reduction Inc., National Forest Foundation, Wild Arizona, Friends of the Tonto and Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona.

According to Rebecca Davidson, National Forest Foundation Southwest Region director, the Highline Trail is a priority project that supports watershed function in the Salt River system, minimizes sedimentation, improves water quality and sustainability and protects this iconic trail and the outdoor experience for every explorer and visitor.