HIKE OF THE MONTH

Most impatient passenger in awe.

Continuing on, the road eventually hugs the back of the mountainside, where you'll be treated to another amaz-ing view: Roosevelt Lake, which looks like a glittering shard of glass from this elevation. The end of the road comes at Mile 6.1. A metal gate blocks the road to the very top of Mount Ord, where sev-eral communication towers are located. Only authorized vehicles are allowed to continue on. Return the way you came. The drive back to State Route 87 moves quicker than the climb up, so proceed with caution you never know who or what is right around the next switchback. As you reach the highway, take a moment to gloat, especially if you're playing tour guide for the day.

ADDITIONAL READING:

For more scenic drives, pick up a copy of our book The Back Roads. Now in its fifth edition, the book features 40 of the state's most scenic drives. To order a copy, visit www.shoparizonahighways.com/ books.

tour guide

Note: Mileages are approximate.

LENGTH: 12.2 miles round-trip (Forest Road 626) DIRECTIONS: From Fountain Hills, drive north on State Route 87 for 33 miles to Milepost 223. Turn right onto Forest Road 626 and continue for 6 miles.

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

WARNING: Back-road travel can be hazardous, so be aware of weather and road conditions. Carry plenty of water. Don't travel alone, and let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

INFORMATION: Payson Ranger District, 928-474-7900, www.fs.usda.gov/tonto Travelers in Arizona can visit www.az511.gov or dial 511 to get information on road closures, construction, delays, weather and more. AH

Aspen Peak Trail

Although Kingman is best known as a stop along Historic Route 66 and the hometown of Andy Devine, it's also home to Hualapai Mountain Park and a series of scenic trails that lead to Aspen Peak.

Even if your idea of heading into the backcountry is going from Park Avenue to Central Park, you can handle this trail. It's not as easy as walking down the sidewalk, but in terms of "roughing it," this is about as benign as it gets.

Although this hike is listed as the Aspen Peak Trail, it's really a combination of three trails: Aspen Springs, Potato Patch Loop and Aspen Peak. To get to the trail that takes you to the top, you'll first have to navigate the other two. But that's not a hardship. Overall, the three trails pass through four different life zones: chaparral, pine/oak, mixed conifer and fir/aspen.

The trek begins with the Aspen Springs Trail in Sawmill Canyon, a lush riparian area of Arizona walnuts, canyon maples and various species of oaks. The climb is gradual, with mild switchbacks and a wide path that accommodates horses. A few minutes into the hike, you'll notice a significant depression in the hillside above. This is a remnant of the old Silver Bell Mine, which first was worked by prospectors in the 1870s and eventually shut down in 1994. Just beyond the mine is a spot known as the Kingman Overlook, from which you can see the city below and the distant Cerbat Mountains.

Along with the panoramas and the rocks and trees, you'll notice that this trail often parallels and intersects a dirt road. Don't be confused. The dirt road is not the trail. It's used for horses and high-clearance vehicles. Stay on the trail, which, at this point, climbs through an open forest of ponderosa pines, New Mexican locusts and Gambel oaks. Then, as the Aspen Springs Trail approaches its intersection with the Potato Patch Loop, you'll start seeing Douglas firs and white firs. Massive granite boulders also are among the highlights as you make your way uphill. At the intersection of the Aspen Springs Trail and the Potato Patch Loop, turn right and follow the loop in a coun-