WHERE IS THIS?

OPPOSITE PAGE: Picturesque resting spots make Hualapai Mountain Park's Aspen Peak Trail ideal for casual hikers. RIGHT: At the trail's higher elevations, dense forest gives way to breathtaking views. Counterclockwise direction - the Aspen Peak Trail is still about a mile away. After 10 minutes, you'll come to a giant evergreen lying on its side. From there, the loop continues uphill, past the Music Mountains Overlook, to a point where it joins the dirt road. The trail parallels the road for about 100 yards to its intersection with the Aspen Peak Trail, which is a short (0.6 miles) side trip that leads to the Dean Peak Overlook.

Enjoy the views, then retrace your steps back to the Potato Patch Loop. When you get there, turn left and continue in a counterclockwise direction. Within a short distance, the trail joins the dirt road again. The route gets a little tricky at this point. Look left for a large concrete-block building, and follow the road that leads to it for about 15 minutes, until it reconnects with the loop trail. Back on the trail, you'll notice that the vegetation has changed once again. Because this is the south side of the mountain, things are drier, which means ponderosas, Gambel oaks and manzanitas predominate. It's prime habitat for mule deer and elk, so have your camera handy. Eventually, the Potato Patch Loop circles back to its connecting point with the Aspen Springs Trail, which takes you to the trailhead. By the time you get there, you'll feel a little burn in your legs and your lungs, but nothing too severe. This is, after all, just a walk in the park.

ADDITIONAL READING: For more hikes, pick up a copy of Arizona Highways Hiking Guide, which features 52 of the state's best trails - one for each weekend of the year, sorted by seasons. To order a copy, visit www.shoparizonahighways. com/books.

trail guide

LENGTH: 5.5 miles round-trip

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

ELEVATION: 6,710 to 7,919 feet

TRAILHEAD GPS: N 35°05.795', W 113 53.378'

DIRECTIONS: From Kingman, drive east on Interstate 40 for 6 miles to Exit 59. From there, drive south on DW Ranch Road for 4.5 miles to Hualapai Mountain Road, turn left and continue 4 miles to the Hualapai Mountain Park Ranger Station. The trailhead is just off the main park road, about 0.75 miles inside the park. Ask the ranger for details.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION: A $5 per vehicle entrance fee is required.

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: None

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes (on a leash)

HORSES ALLOWED: Yes

USGS MAP: Hualapai Peak

INFORMATION: Hualapai Mountain Park, 928-681-5700 or www.mcparks.com

LEAVE-NO-TRACE PRINCIPLES:

Mission San Xavier del Bac. Congratulations to our winner, Sarah Nelson of Oceanside, California.

Grand Opening

These ruins stand close to a group of sandstone rock formations that photographer Paul Markow describes as “a mini-Monument Valley.” Another nearby landmark is the 900-foot steel arch bridge that provides a vital roadway link between the Arizona Strip and the rest of the state.

MIND IF WE TAG ALONG?

The state of Arizona gave us our own license plate, and we'd like you to take us for a ride.

To order an official Arizona Highways license plate, visit www.arizonahighways.com and click the licenseplate icon on our home page. Proceeds help support our mission of promoting tourism in Arizona.