State Parks

Mariposa Trail is worth drive to Oracle, AZ

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[Source: Doug Kreutz, Arizona Daily Star] — Golden winter grasses carpet gently rolling hills and hidden hollows along the Mariposa Trail at Oracle State Park.  A trek on the trail is kind of like slipping into the park through the back door.  Beginning at its own trailhead northwest of the park’s main trail system and the historic Kannally Ranch House, the 1.2-mile route offers a “walk-in” alternative to driving into the park.

The Mariposa Trail dips into a hollow near the starting point and then climbs gradually to a grassy hilltop affording good views of the Catalina Mountains to the south and the rugged Galiuro range to the east.  It works its way down another hillside and then meanders southeastward to connect with a network of trails and the park’s main entrance road.  Hikers coming in on the Mariposa might choose to visit the ranch house or link with other trails for a longer hike.  By connecting with the Granite Overlook Trail Loop, the Windy Ridge Trail Loop or the Nature Trail Loop, it’s possible to fashion a round-trip trek of several miles.  [Note: to read the full article, click here.]

New grant for historic Pinal County courthouse

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[Source: Florence Reminder] — Pinal County received a new grant to continue repairs on the historic Second County Courthouse.  This new grant for $150,000 from the Arizona State Parks Historic Preservation Heritage Fund will be matched with $225,000 from Pinal County.  The county hopes to use the funding to repair the dormers, chimneys, frieze (area between the roof and wall), porch and dissolving brick.  County officials are working with the architect to prepare plans and hope to go out for bids by February or March.

Arizona Highways features Yuma landmark

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[Source: YumaSun.com]  – – The January edition of Arizona Highways will be a special read for local folks, not just because the magazine will be debuting a new look, but because a cherished Yuma landmark will be in the spotlight.  That edition of the popular magazine will be dedicated to the “Top 25 Weekend Getaways” in Arizona. Local readers will be pleased to see that No. 14 is the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.

Officials at the Yuma park said the honor comes as pleasant surprise. “It’s always an honor to be mentioned in Arizona Highways,” said Jerry Emert, park manager at the Quartermaster Depot. “Not to short the recognition that the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park gets, but they always seem to be the big draw in town for state parks. We’re quite pleased to hear that we’re finally getting a little recognition.”  [Note: to read the full article click here.]

New Wildlife Website for Arizona Outdoor Enthuasiasts

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[Source: www.readitnews.com]  – – Watching wildlife is one of the most economical recreational activities families can do together.  Visitors come to Arizona from around the world to see the diversity of animal species living in the Sonoran Desert, the tops of the mountainous sky islands or in the vast northern regions of the Colorado Plateau.

To give those visitors a better chance to see the hundreds of nocturnal and elusive animals, the Arizona Watchable Wildlife Tourism Association has launched its new website at www.azwatchablewildlife.org.   This site provides the most comprehensive information about viewing wildlife during Arizona’s different seasons, dates of events for nature-oriented programs, information about responsible wildlife viewing, news about recent sightings and your responsibilities as a wildlife viewer. [Note: to read the full article click here.]