A photo tour of Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park
On June 30, 2013, nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives fighting to protect Yarnell from a vast and unpredictable wildfire. Three years later, Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park was created to remember and honor them. Here is a photo tour of the trails, the memorials, and the stories of the hotshots.Josh Frigerio
The entrance to Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park is located off State Route 89, south of Yarnell. There are 13 parking spaces and two portable toilets at the entrance. If the parking lot is full, it is recommended to park in Yarnell and get a ride back to the entrance.Josh Frigerio
Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park is made up of a single-loop trail that is 7 miles roundtrip. The 2.85-mile "Hotshots Trail" takes hikers to the Observation Deck, which overlooks the "Fatality Site" where the hotshots were found. The 0.75-mile "Journey Trail" leads from the Observation Deck to the Fatality Site, 400 feet below. A memorial bell and trail maps are located at the entrance.Josh Frigerio
The trails are not considered to be an "easy" hike. They consist of more than 200 steps, switchbacks, elevation changes, steep climbs and dirt paths. Hikers should expect at least four hours of hiking if going the full 7-mile roundtrip. As with any hike, it is important to bring enough water, snacks, charged a cell phone, sunscreen and proper hiking shoes and clothing for multiple hours of hiking.Josh Frigerio
The two trails venture through the Weaver Mountains. Here is a general view of the landscape along the Hotshots Trail.Josh Frigerio
Every 600 feet along the trail, a memorial plaque for each of the nineteen hotshots has been installed into a rock. Each plaque has the photo and name of a Hotshot, as well as a brief biography. Pictured above is the plaque for Christopher MacKenzie, 30Josh Frigerio
Robert Caldwell, 23Josh Frigerio
Anthony Rose, 23Josh Frigerio
Garret Zuppiger, 27Josh Frigerio
Scott Norris, 28Josh Frigerio
Dustin DeFord, 24Josh Frigerio
William Warneke, 25Josh Frigerio
Wade Parker, 22Josh Frigerio
Joe Thurston, 32Josh Frigerio
Andrew Ashcraft, 29Josh Frigerio
Travis Turbyfill, 27Josh Frigerio
Clayton Whitted, 28Josh Frigerio
Eric Marsh, 43Josh Frigerio
Jesse Steed, 26Josh Frigerio
Travis Carter, 31Josh Frigerio
Sean Misner, 26Josh Frigerio
Grant McKee, 21Josh Frigerio
John Percin, Jr., 24Josh Frigerio
Kevin Woyjeck, 21Josh Frigerio
A general view from Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
A sign along the trail shows the equipment that Hotshot firefighters typically carry with them.Josh Frigerio
Signage at the Observation Deck shows the photos of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. In the background is the town of Yarnell and the Fatality Site.Josh Frigerio
Another sign shows the timeline of the Yarnell Hill Fire and a photo of the aftermath in July 2013, days after the Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives. Josh Frigerio
An elevated view of the Fatality Site (lower left corner) from Hotshots Trail at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
Pins, patches, badges and other mementos have been attached to a Tribute Wall at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. Josh Frigerio
A patch has been placed on the Tribute Wall at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
A patch has been placed on the Tribute Wall at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
Patches have been placed on the Tribute Wall at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
A patch has been placed on the Tribute Wall at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
A patch and buckle have been placed on the Tribute Wall at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
A sign that reads in part, "On this revered ground, our heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice," stands outside the Fatality Site.Josh Frigerio
Nineteen gabions linked by chains surround the Fatality Site at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. They mark the location where the Hotshots were found on June 30, 2013.Josh Frigerio
A view of the Fatality Site, the place where the Hotshots were found on June 30, 2013, at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio
A glove hangs from a gabion at the Fatality Site at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.Josh Frigerio