BEST VIEWED IN WIDE ANGLE

This Picture-mentary lets you join Gary Birkett and his dog Cubby on a
hike up The Big Hill on the north side of Passage 15 of the Arizona Trail.
At the crest, Gary unfurls a Chicago Cubs W and we meet up with an
82-year old cowboy hiking the AZ Trail on horseback.
This is one of many adventures that can be enjoyed in the Copper
Corridor. The Copper Corridor is located EAST of Phoenix along US 60
through Superior and Globe-Miami. It also extends southward along
State Route 177 past the Ray Mine Overlook, the Jake Jacobson Bridge
of Unity, and the historic communities of Kearny, Hayden, Winkelman,
Dudleyville, Aravaipa, Mammoth, San Manuel and Oracle

At the end of the Picture-mentary we encourage you to check out the

General Kearny Inn, located in Kearny, Arizona and plan your own
adventure in The Copper Corridor.
Theres a list of family-owned places to eat. And hot links that make it
easy for you to find out more. ENJOY Yourself!
Our rural lifestyle is only sustainable if we create income for our
communities. Please consider becoming an out-of-town Member of the
community organizations featured at the end of our story.

BEST VIEWED IN WIDE ANGLE

Friday, January 27,
2017, Gary Birkett
and his puppy dog
Cubby hiked up to
the crest of
The Big Hill
along the northern
side of Passage 15
of the Arizona
National Scenic
Trail.

Cubby has his own

backpack.
He lugs his water,
water dish and
food.

He LOVES to hike!
At the trailhead at the northern
end of Passage 15, information
placards provide detailed
information about how to
properly use the Arizona Trail.

There is ample parking, and a

rustic ramada is usually stocked
with potable water. Make sure
you sign the LOG BOOK!

Please enjoy the Arizona Trail

responsibly!

At the trailhead, we met up with

Phil and Chelsea from Moab,
Utah, and their puppy Amasa.

They were mountain biking north

along Passage 16 that leads
through the Gila River canyons,
and Passage 17 through Alamo
Canyon and comes out at
Superior. They told us about an
82-year old man who was riding
the Arizona Trail on horseback!
We decided to
save some time
and drove past
the trailhead and
up Ripsey Wash
to the back
entrance to the
Big Hill. We met
up with Greg from
the hiking group.
He was scouting
out upcoming
adventures.

Piney had eaten

at Old Time Pizza
Thursday night.
He was coming
down from the
Big Hill and
recognized Gary.
Piney has hiked
the Appalachian
Trail. He always
wears a colorful
silk tie.
We took the Yellow Trail up the backside of the Big Hill.
Gary strapped on
Cubbys backpack.

You can almost see

Cubby SMILING!

He is a happy
puppy when hes
on a hike with his
dad!

The back-side of
the Big Hill trail
begins going UP
immediately.

It passes through a
saguaro-cactus rich
portion of the
Sonoran Desert.
 These Teddy Bear
Cholla cactus look
soft, but they are
very dangerous.

Cholla are one of

the reasons why
cowboys wear
heavy chaps to
protect their legs
when riding out in
the desert.

As we climbed in
elevation we
noticed how small
the trail below us
was becoming. The
Big Hill rises about
2,000 feet
vertically above
where you begin.
The peak is at
3,500 feet above
sea level.
Gary and Cubby
pose with a cairn.

Volunteers stacked
these rock piles to
help hikers identify
that they are still
safely on the
Arizona National
Scenic Trail.

Were making
progress. The trail
is beginning to zig-
zag in switchbacks.

This part of the

trail reminds me of
LAlpe dHuez the
famous ski resort
used for uphill
stage finishes in Le
Tour de France.
Finally!
We pass under the
peak of the Big Hill!

WHEW!

Our intrepid hiker

looks back and
down the very
long, steep hill that
weve come up.

The Tortilla
Mountains and the
canyon of Ripsey
Wash are way over
yonder!
 From the crest of the Big Hill we see Saddleback and the Hayden
Smokestack. That might be snow-capped Mount Graham in the distance.

Ray High Schools football field, auditorium, and ball fields far below us.
Cubby gets
watered and fed.

Then Gary lifts a

toast.

Weve made it
to the top of
the Big Hill!

I surprise Gary with

a big Chicago Cubs

W
In honor of their
first World Series
WIN since 1908!
Gary and Cubby atop the Big Hill with snow-capped Pinals in the distance!
 Just then four horsemen achieved the summit of the Big Hill.

They dismounted and let the horses rest from the long trek uphill.
Bryce Kempton is the 82-year old horseman we had heard about!

Bryce and Gary visited while Cubby checked out the horses.
On our way back
down we noticed
an old Saguaro
with some really
gnarly branches!

After we packed
things into the jeep
we headed back
out Ripsey Wash to
the trailhead.

We remembered
to close the gates
of all the passages
we drove through.
Please hike
responsibly!
Back at the
trailhead we met
up with the
Kemptons.

Bryce was cooling

down his mount
after a long day in
the saddle.

We made sure to
sign the log book
for the Arizona
National Scenic
Trail. These log
books verify active
users of the
Arizona Trail and
help justify funding
to keep it
maintained.
 Back in Kearny,
Gary and Gerry
signed the Big W
to certify that this
is the ACTUAL W
that was carried up
and displayed on
The Big Hill.
The W is
viewable at Old
Time Pizza along
with an article
from The Arizona
Republic.

The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a complete non-motorized path,

stretching 800 diverse miles across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. It links
deserts, mountains, canyons, forests, communities and people.
The Arizona Trail Association's mission is to protect, maintain, enhance,
promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the
land. To find out more visit: http://www.aztrail.org/

The Town of Kearny is designated as a Gateway Community for The

Arizona National Scenic Trail. Kearny is located 85 miles Southeast of
Phoenix. Take US 60 EAST past the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, at
Superior head SOUTH on Arizona State Route 177 to Mile Maker 147.
Plan a visit to Kearny and stay overnight at The General Kearny Inn:
Plan a visit to Kearny and stay overnight at The General Kearny Inn:
General Kearny Inn (GKI) Family-owned 47-room hotel, recently
upgraded rooms, courtyard with large covered patio perfect for hosting
events. Lobby Bar open Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM till 10:00 PM. Phone:
(520) 363-5505 http://www.generalkearnyinn.com/

Places to Eat in or near Kearny:

West End Caf Open Monday-Saturday 6:30 AM 8:00 PM. Daily
specials. Homemade soups. (520) 363-9563 CLOSED SUNDAYS
Old Time Pizza Great party venue. Delivery after 4:00 PM Open 11:00
AM 9:00 PM Open 7 Days (520) 363-5523
Big Ds Market Gas. Food, deli sandwiches, ice, soda, beer, wine and
snacks. Open 7 Days (520) 363-7207 SUNDAY Breakfast 8:00-Noon
Cactus Minimart Sandwiches, ice, soda, beer, wine and snacks, Lottery.
Open 7 Days (520) 363-5111
Deli Counter at Norms IGA has daily specials. Open 7 Days
Marias Restaurant (Hayden) Mexican & American dishes. Open 7 Days
7:00 AM 8:00 PM (520) 356-6807
 THANKS for viewing our Picture-mentary! Next Steps:
Share this Picture-mentary with your friends via Social Media
Drive out and enjoy a meal at one of our family-owned restaurants
Follow the Ore Cart Trail and take selfies along the way
Plan an overnight visit and an activity like a Day Hike or Festival
If you prefer rural living consider relocating to the Copper Corridor
Plan a day hike from Superior, Oracle, Kearny or Globe-Miami

And please tell your friends how much fun you had here!

The Copper Corridor provides marvelous recreation opportunities within

a two-hour drive EAST of Phoenix, or NORTH from Tucson.
For news and information about our area, visit Copper Area News
http://www.copperarea.com
http://www.discovercoppercorridor.org

Or visit the Globe-Miami Times website:

http://www.globemiamitimes.com/
Town of Kearny website:
http://www.townofkearny.com/
Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce covering Kearny, Hayden,
Winkelman and Dudleville:
http://www.copperbasinaz.org
Superior Visitor Info at the Caboose along US 60
Call them at 520-689-0200
http://www.superiorarizonachamber.org
Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce
http://globemiamichamber.com/
Oracle Visitor Info at the Tri-Community Visitor Center
(520) 214-1142 or (520) 265-2105
http://www.visittricommunity.org

The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a complete non-motorized path,

stretching 800 diverse miles across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. It links
deserts, mountains, canyons, forests, communities and people.

The Arizona Trail Association's mission is to protect, maintain, enhance,

promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the

land. To find out more visit: http://www.aztrail.org/

Map of the Copper Corridor: