Matthew J. Nelson

Matthew J. Nelson orchestrated Your Complete Guide to the Arizona National Scenic Trail and wrote many of its passages. His contributions to the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) include volunteer trail-building on Passage 7, trail design for Passage 16, archaeological surveys along Passage 17, and explorations of the AZT on foot, mountain bike, and horseback. He also is a trail steward for Passage 16d. Matt has worked as an outdoor educator, Grand Canyon backpacking guide, archaeologist, editor, and freelance photojournalist. He has more than 500 published articles to his credit. A devotee of high mountains, deep canyons, vast deserts, and diverse cultures, he has a wanderlust that has led him to nearly every continent in search of adventure. In 2012 Matt became executive director of the Arizona Trail Association. He lives off the grid in the Sierrita Mountains west of Tucson and spends summers in his hometown of Big Pine, California, volunteering for Inyo County Search and Rescue.