Click video icon to view Pinetop-Lakeside's "Escape to Fun" Video

Although American Trails is celebrating 25 years and has had 21 national trails symposia, this year the first ever International Trails Symposium in Arizona was held at the Ft McDowell Resort in Scottsdale on Apr 14-17, with international representatives from every continent.  TRACKS was an active participant in making this event a success.  Nick served on the planning committee, as a reviewer for session presentations, and helped recruit volunteers for the ITS.  He also submitted a proposal for a poster session which described TRACKS' emergency responder project, which was accepted and was presented on the poster "wall" of TRACKS photos taken by Jim Snitzer.  Robbie Graham, a TRACKS member who works at the Arizona Community Foundation, volunteered to design the ITS program and marketing literature.  Thanks also to Lynn Krigbaum, Rick Olson, Kathryn Melsted, Betty Zink, Jim Snitzer, Liz Wise, Sherrill Sigmen, Jerri Freeman, Julie Church, Ginger Donahue, Laurie Acree, and Peggy and Nick Lund for serving as room hosts and other volunteer duties at the Symposium.  TRACKS shared an information booth with Debe Campbell of Pinetop-Lakeside Group Sales in the ITS exhibit hall, and John Vuolo, Director of the Pinetop-Lakeside Parks & Recreation Department attended the ITS.

Now for the truly exciting news.  At the ITS, TRACKS was recognized with the National Trails Award for Community Service, which "honors a trail organization that performs exceptional community service relating to but beyond trail work".  This is a wonderful achievement and reflects on TRACKS great partnerships with the US Forest Service, Arizona Game & Fish, and local communities of Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low and others in the White Mountains. More Info at: www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org

Welcome 

Of all the areas to visit, travelers would be hard-pressed to find a region that offers more - more natural beauty, more  history and culture, more recreation, more adventure, more memories - than Arizona's White Mountains.

Here, sunny skies and four classic seasons enhance a variety of activities. In winter visitors can enjoy sledding or tobogganing, snow boarding, ice-fishing, and, of course, world-class downhill skiing and cross-country skiing.   Miles of groomed trails and  first-rate facilities draw enthusiasts from around the world.

Spring, too, is a special time. Frozen lakes and streams open themselves to fishermen (some of the best fishing of the year can be found in spring) boaters, hikers and sightseer's.  Meadow grasses turn green and wildflowers dot the landscape.   As the earth rejuvenates, so does the spirit.

In summer, with stubborn patches of gleaming snows still clinging to her summits, the White Mountains offer visitors a variety of scenic attractions and an unlimited array of outdoor activities. Some 50 alpine lakes and 800 miles of cold, crystal clear rivers and springs draw visitors throughout the season to this mountain playground.

Autumn is for many their favorite season, when the land and its inhabitants prepare for the coming snows. The White Mountains offer a change of colors to rival any in the nation, with the added pleasure of relative solitude. Wildlife is abundant, trails are not crowded. Hunters and fishermen enjoy spectacular sport, hiking and sightseeing are at their best.

In the White Mountains, whatever the season, whatever your interest,   it's always the right time to visit and you are always welcome!