Imagine a short scenic drive up from the desert floor, through a variety of habitats, to historic towns full of flowers, art and new urban trails.
Perfect for spring road trips. Then what are you waiting for? I pack my bags and head to Grove.
The old mining town at the foot of the Pinal Mountains has coped with adversity in recent years. First the pandemic hit, followed by the devastating Mezcal and Telegraph fires that devoured the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Then followed the aftermath of the flood. But mining towns are used to dealing with tough times. They bear the scars of the boom and bust cycles that define their communities.
Even when the situation seemed at its darkest, a handful of residents came up with creative solutions to put the town back on stronger foundations. . And it all started with a hidden staircase.
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Hike the Grove’s Sterisona Trail
They call it the Stairizona Trail and it’s one of the most unusual and most unexpected hiking options out there full of them.
Sterizona is a network of urban lanes adorned with public art and expansive scenery. Stroll through the historic district to enjoy the town’s stunning architecture, with many buildings dating back to the early 1900s.
It also provides instant access to the outdoors and the health benefits of aerobic exercise. Every outing will be a treasure hunt for art, architecture and mountain scenery.
The trail’s centerpiece is a series of concrete steps that span the entire area surrounding Grove’s historic downtown. The stairs date back almost a century and were built in the 1930s as part of the Works Progress Administration to help miners and other residents navigate the hills. Some may be even older. These are the concrete bones that once held the town together.
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The Grove’s historic staircase reinvented as the Sterizona Trail
Over the decades, new roads and increased reliance on automobiles have made stairs less important. They fell into disrepair and eventually grew too large and were abandoned and mostly forgotten. An organization called I Art Globe then set out to reclaim this lost legacy.
Founded by Dr. Thea Wilshire and Regina Ortega-Leonardi, I Art Globe has mobilized an army of community volunteers. They started with a major cleaning of the stairs, removing trash, removing weeds, and pruning trees. Large amounts of dirt and rocks were hauled out to make the stairs more accessible.
Then the artist went to work. Dozens of local artists put the final touches on the Sterizona Trail. At least 36 art his projects have been completed, with more to come in the coming months.
They include 84 steps adorned with a cascade of painted poppies, and vibrant murals of cacti, quail, Gila monsters, and even local dogs splatter the walls. Other murals are interactive, allowing visitors to insert themselves into photographic images.Metalwork and brightly colored benches line the route.
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How to see the Murals and Art of the Sterizona Trail at Globe
Each version of the Stairizona Trail highlights historic downtown and offers beautiful views of the Tonto National Forest and surrounding mountains. And in spring, hillsides densely covered with golden poppies are an added bonus.
The Sterisona Trail has three routes of varying lengths.
- short: 1.4 miles, 4 staircases with 244 steps, 1 footbridge and 17 art installations.
- Moderate: 2.6 miles, 7 stairs, 303 steps, 2 footbridges, 24 art attractions.
- length: 6.4 miles, 9 stairs, 365 steps, 3 footbridges, 39 art attractions. This winding route also traverses his G Hill and visits the 1873 historic cemetery, early pioneers, Buffalo Soldiers, Tombstone Clanton’s Finn and his Clanton’s final resting place.
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April is the world poppy month.If you want to see wildflowers, go here
The Grove has long been a haven for golden poppies, flowers that line the roads and fill gardens and glades. During the restoration work, he planted more than 200,000 poppy seeds around the stairs. These seeds likely benefited from abundant winter rains, which should result in a gorgeous and colorful spring in 2023.
April has been declared Poppy Month in the Globe. Every Saturday we host a different special event. April 8th is the official launch of his Stairizona trail, with guided tours of the 1.4-mile stretch offered at 9am in Wilshire, with Ortega-Leonardi serving as guide and storyteller. The cost is $20 per person for her and reservations can be made at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0448A8A723AAF94-with
I Art Globe will continue to offer guided tours ($20) on the first Saturday of each month.
Of course, the colorful stairs leading up the hill are always open. Visitors can always tackle any part of the Stairizona Trail on their own. Maps for self-guided tours are available at the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce.
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Museums in Grove
Stop by the Gila County Historical Museum to get an overview of the area’s rich history. The exhibits are housed in the old Grove Mine Rescue Station next to the Chamber of Commerce.
detail: 1330 N. Broad Street Flea. 928-425-7385, www.gilahistoricalmuseum.org.
The Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore the partially restored site of an ancient village inhabited by the Salad tribe between 1225 and 1400. $5 admission for adults. The park is free to enter on April 22nd from 11am to 3pm.
detail: 1324 S. Jesse Hayes Road. $5; $4 for those 65 and older. Children 12 and under are free. 928-425-0320, www.globeaz.gov/besh-ba-gowah-archaeological-park-and-museum.
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How far is it from Phoenix to Grove?
Grove is approximately 88 miles east of central Phoenix via US 60.
Grove shopping
The Pickle Barrel Trading Post, an old warehouse, is full of arts and crafts. It also stocks the famous sky-blue sleeping beauty turquoise, named for the silhouette of the mountain that rises above the mine that produced the gem.
detail: 404 S. Broad St. 928-425-9282, www.picklebarreltradingpost.com.
Splash of Copper offers handcrafted gifts and art like no other. The “splattered copper” abstract painting is created by pouring molten copper onto a steel plate. Dripping copper trees and colorful copper vases and bowls are also popular items. You’ll also find clothing, jewelry, books, and works by local artists in this eclectic gallery.
detail: 656 N. Broad Street 928-793-3148, www.splashofcopperaz.com.
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Grove Restaurants
The Grove is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine, and El Ranchito is one of the best. This festively decorated downtown spot offers plenty of information for locals and visitors alike to seek out.
detail: 686 N. Broad Street 928-402-1348.
Copper Hen Bakery & Café is a great breakfast spot with favorites like biscuits, gravy and handcrafted quiches. It is also open for lunch and serves delicious sandwiches and salads.
detail: 157 W. Cedar Street 928-473-1207.
For more information on shopping, restaurants, hotels, and more, visit the Globe-Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce.
detail: 1360 N. Broad Street 928-425-4495, www.globemiamichamber.com.
find a reporter www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook www.facebook.com/Roger NaylorinAZOr Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.
