Trailblazers

In 1982, brothers Troy and Gil Gillenwater decided to walk across the state of Arizona. Without GPS, mobile phones, or continuous trails, they cobbled together an 810-mile adventure that took over two months and two mules to complete. Little did they know, their trek would be an inspiration for the Arizona National Scenic Trail, now hiked by thousands each year.

That remarkable origin story comes to life in “Trailblazers” — a 40-minute documentary produced by the Emmy Award-winning team at Quantum Leap Productions. Featuring rare archival footage and compelling interviews with Bruce Babbitt, former Arizona Governor and U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and Kevin Fedarko, acclaimed author of “The Emerald Mile” and “A Walk in the Park”, “Trailblazers” traces the Gillenwater trek and the enduring spirit of exploration that helped shape one of Arizona’s greatest public-lands legacies.
Part road movie, part time machine, “Trailblazers” is about how one audacious idea can spark a lasting legacy for generations to follow.

The screening benefits the Arizona Trail Association Endowment, supporting the long-term protection, stewardship, and future of the Arizona Trail.