Archive All Issues October 2020

THERE'S GOLD IN THEM THAR HILLS

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It's that time of year again, when we work to shatter the misconception that Arizona doesn't have any seasons, including autumn. It's not true, of course. Our fall color is beautiful. And the state's palette goes beyond the earth tones of burnt sienna and brown to a profusion of red, yellow, orange and gold.

Featured in the October 2020 Issue of Arizona Highways

BY: Jeff Kida (Portfolio Editor)

INNER BASIN
TOM BEAN
Tightly packed aspens display their autumn hues along the Inner Basin Trail in the San Francisco Peaks. This easy trail, which runs for 3.9 miles round-trip, traverses the interior of the collapsed stratovolcano that now forms Arizona’s highest mountain range.

PEAK COLOR: Late September to early October

Directions: The Inner Basin Trailhead is at Lockett Meadow Campground
(see directions at left).

Information: Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866 or fs.usda.gov/coconino

 

OAK CREEK CANYON
GUY SCHMICKLE
Fall foliage bathes serene Oak Creek, north of Sedona, in golden tones. A drive through the canyon or a hike on the popular West Fork Oak Creek Trail (see page 54) offers plenty of views of the oaks and maples that dominate the fall color season in this part of Red Rock Country.

PEAK COLOR: October

Directions: From Sedona, go north on State Route 89A for 16 miles to Oak Creek Vista. The entire route is paved.

Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119 or fs.usda.gov/coconino

 

MOUNT GRAHAM
PAUL GILL
Maple leaves begin to don their autumn hues along State Route 366 (the Swift Trail), the main route up the mountain. Mount Graham is the highest peak in the “sky island” Pinaleño Mountains, which are home to an endangered squirrel species and numerous large telescopes.

PEAK COLOR: October

Directions: From Safford, go south on U.S. Route 191 for 7.3 miles to State Route 366. Turn right onto SR 366, which later becomes Forest Road 803, and continue 35 miles to the road’s end near Riggs Flat Lake. The first 22 miles of the route (from U.S. 191) are paved; a high-clearance vehicle, such as an SUV or truck, is recommended for the final stretch, which closes in winter.

Information: Safford Ranger District, 928-428-4150 or fs.usda.gov/coronado

 

MOGOLLON RIM
CLAIRE CURRAN
Maple and aspen leaves put on a show near Turkey Creek at dusk. One of the best ways to experience fall color in Rim Country is via a drive on the Rim Road (Forest Road 300), which also boasts impressive panoramas and a slice of the continent’s largest contiguous forest of ponderosa pines.

PEAK COLOR: October

Directions: From Payson, go north on State Route 87 for 28.5 miles to Forest Road 300. Turn right onto FR 300 and continue 43.3 miles to State Route 260. FR 300 is unpaved but is suitable for most vehicles in good weather.

Information: Mogollon Rim Ranger District, 928-477-2255 or fs.usda.gov/coconino

 

SALT RIVER CANYON
JOEL HAZELTON
Flanked by saguaros, cottonwoods glow in late-afternoon light along Pinal Creek a few miles upstream from the creek’s mouth at the Salt River. This location is in the Salt River Canyon Wilderness, which has no established trails; however, a drive to the edge of the wilderness area on State Route 288 offers leaf-peeping opportunities along the river in late fall.

PEAK COLOR: Late November to mid-December

Directions: From Globe, go west on U.S. Route 60 for 3 miles to State Route 188. Turn right onto SR 188 and continue 14.7 miles to State Route 288. Turn right onto SR 288 and continue 4.5 miles to the bridge across the Salt River. Park in the dirt lot on the north side of the river. The entire route is paved.

Information: Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200 or fs.usda.gov/tonto

 

 

SYCAMORE CREEK
JOEL HAZELTON
Fallen sycamore leaves form a kaleidoscope of color in a small pool along the creek. The Nelson Trail, part of a network of trails in the Pine Mountain Wilderness, crosses Sycamore Creek several times as it winds through a shaded riparian area.

PEAK COLOR: October

Directions: From Black Canyon City, go north on Interstate 17 for 24 miles to Dugas Road (Exit 268). Turn right onto Dugas Road (Forest Road 68) and continue 18 miles to the Salt Flat Trailhead, where the Nelson Trail begins. A high-clearance vehicle, such as an SUV or truck, is required

Information: Verde Ranger District, 928-567-4121 or fs.usda.gov/prescott

 

SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS
DOUGLAS KOEPSEL
Sunlight streams through a break in the clouds and illuminates aspens and evergreens above Lockett Meadow, a popular camping and wildlife-watching destination on the east side of the Peaks. This view is from Sugarloaf Mountain, just northeast of the meadow.

PEAK COLOR: Late September to early October

Directions: From downtown Flagstaff, go north on U.S. Route 89 for 16 miles to Forest Road 552, across from the turnoff for Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki national monuments. Turn left onto FR 552 and follow the signs for Lockett Meadow Campground. A high-clearance vehicle, such as an
SUV or truck, is recommended.

Information: Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866 or fs.usda.gov/coconino