b"Photo by Matt Kiefferand the Town of Yarnell to the east. AdditionalYARNELL HILL FIREinterpretive signs that are here outline the tragicMEMORIAL PARKevents of the Yarnell Hill Fire. A Tribute Wall atThis memorial, created by the Yarnell Hill the Observation Deck is available to leave stickers,Recovery Group and supported by donations, Photo by Rebecca Wilks patches and other mementos in honor of theis located along Highway 89 and Shrine St. just sacrifice the Granite Mountain Hotshots made toacross from the Yarnell Fire Department. The protect the community. park highlights the events of 2013 and the effects the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Stateit had on the community that lost homes and Highway. Park rangers are available at the trailheadJourney Trail businesses to the fire. It honors the memory of with maps and information The families andOnce at the observation deck, the 3/4-mile Journeythe Granite Mountain Hotshots. Visitors will the communities of Prescott and Yarnell workedTrail allows you to follow the last steps of thealso be able to learn about resources for fire hand-in-hand with the state to develop GraniteHotshots down to the Fatality Site where theymitigation and safety of their property built in Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park as a placemade their last stand. Encircling the Fatality Sitenatural areas. You can visit the group's website at for healing and to honor the lives and legacy of19 gabion baskets, one for eachyarnellarearesourcegroup.org 19 hotshots. Parking is limited in the trailheadHotshot, are united by chains lot. Only 12 spots are currently available, with anrepresenting their eternal team. A additional four motorcycle spots. From October-short path surrounds the gabions May, there is a shuttle service every half hour and the nearby memorial flagpole. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Friday through Sunday. Please, take a moment to pay The shuttle is located at the Yarnell Fireyour respects, but remain outside Department in Yarnell on Hwy 89. Entrance to of the gabion enclosure out of the park is free and it is open from sunrise torespect for the Hotshots and their sunset. AZStateParks/hotshots families. This 7-mile round-trip trail can be challenging, but Hotshots Trail hikers can still pay tribute if they The Hotshots Trail takes you through the Weaverchoose not to hike the entire Mountains and includes a 1,200 ft. elevation gainway. Within just the firstmile, with a 5-8 percent grade. You will encounterthere are three granite plaques 200+ stairs carved from the surrounding rock,commemorating the leadersinterpretive signs, benches and 19 memorialof the Hotshot crew, makingplaques. From the trailhead, the 2.85-mileit a great place to turn aroundpath will lead you up to the observation deck.if needed.Every 600 feet, 19 granite plaques set into rocks share a photo and a story of each fallen Hotshot. Four interpretive signs paired with the memorial benches provide information about wildland firefighting. Once you reach the observation deck, you can see the Fatality Site 400 feet below ArizonaRealCountry.com February 2023 25"