About 50 people, mostly consisting of park rangers and members of Friends of Madera Canyon, attended the ceremonial opening of the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail in Madera Canyon. The paved trail is one of the first trailheads in the canyon and is handicap accessible.
The project, which has been three years in the making, was funded by day permits and donations from Friends of Madera Canyon.
Supervisor for the Coronado National Forest Kerwin Dewberry, who attended the event, talked to attendees about how trails like these broaden access to people who may not get out into the woods often.
John Titre, the Recreation Manager for the Nogales Ranger District, had similar thoughts, emphasizing the ability for those with prosthetics and wheelchairs to easily access the outdoors.
“Anyone can touch nature for at least a little bit,” Titre said.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
Norm Burt and his wife Marge walk along the newly opened Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. Norm used to be an avid hiker and decided to move to Arizona from the Boston area after visiting the southwest with a Boy Scout troop. Due to health he can't hike like he used to but more accessable trails like the Proctor Loop Trail allows him to get outdoors again.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
John Titre, Recreation Manager for the Nogales Ranger District, talks to those attending the opening of the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
Rangers walk along the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
Jim Woodward, president of Friends of Madera Canyon, talks during the opening of the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
John Titre, Recreation Manager for the Nogales Ranger District, introduces those who helped work on newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail during its ceremonial opening at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
Coronado National Forrest Supervisor Kerwin Dewberry speaks during the opening of the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
A person walks along the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail following the ceremonial opening at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
Rangers take in the beauty along the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
People take in the sights of the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
A map along the newly repaired Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. The short paved trail is handicap accessable allowing for a accessability to a diverse crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
Proctor Loop Trail Opening
Norm Burt and his wife Marge walk along the newly opened Proctor Loop Trail at Madera Canyon, on Dec. 3, 2019. Norm used to be an avid hiker and decided to move to Arizona from the Boston area after visiting the southwest with a Boy Scout troop. Due to health he can't hike like he used to but more accessable trails like the Proctor Loop Trail allows him to get outdoors again.
Josh Galemore
Staff photographer at the Arizona Daily Star. Previously at the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming and the Savannah Morning News in Georgia. Honored with numerous awards including those by the NPPA and two time Wyoming photographer of the year.
