BEST PICTURE 2021

GREGG'S HIDEOUT From a slice of Historic Route 66 to a secluded hideout on Lake Mead, this scenic route offers a primer on all there is to see in Northwestern Arizona, including a thick forest of Joshua trees. BY NOAH AUSTIN

You don't meet a lot of people named Gregg these days. In fact, in 2020, "Gregg" (with three G's) was only the 5,326th most popular baby name in the U.S., according to the Social Security Administration. So it's noteworthy that two different Greggs, separated by a century or so, bookend this lovely Northwestern Arizona drive. In between, you'll find plenty of Joshuas. And even some Cliffs.

The route begins in Antares, a tiny community along State Route 66 - the state-maintained stretch of Historic Route 66 between Seligman and Kingman. Antares' claim to fame is Giganticus Headicus, a bright green, 14-foot-tall sculpture that looks a bit like one of the moai of Easter Island. Artist Gregg Arnold created the piece from chicken wire, plastic foam, cement and other materials in the early 2000s; today, an adjacent souvenir shop beckons those who stop to pose for a photo in front of the statue.

From here, head north, then northwest on Antares Road, which quickly becomes a wide, well-traveled dirt path through the expansive Hualapai Valley. A few spindly cholla cactuses dot the roadsides, and the Grand Wash Cliffs, which cradle the western part of the Grand Canyon, rise to the northeast. After 5 miles or so, the views to the southwest open up as well, and you'll see the rocky Cerbat Mountains and, farther north, the lighter-hued White Hills.

At Mile 16.5, on the right, you'll pass a set of collapsing rock walls - possibly the remains of an old homestead - and a hillside covered with chollas. Around here, the vegetation gets a bit less sparse, and by Mile 28, you'll see Joshua trees in the distance; they're on both sides of the road, like an alien army preparing to colonize the Kingman area. Before long, they're close to the roadway, giving you an up-close look at these strangely shaped members of the yucca family.

Next is an intersection with Pierce Ferry Road, which leads to Pearce Ferry and the Hualapai Tribe's section of the Grand Canyon. Today, though, continue straight on what now is Gregg's Hideout Road to pass through a thick forest of Joshua trees. After a couple of turns, you'll be on Hideout Drive, which traverses a series of rolling hills, passing Joshua trees, other yuccas and ocotillos. At Mile 42, you'll enter Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where the road gets significantly rougher and narrower. The Mojave Desert vibe here is strong, with yuccas, barrel cactuses and ocotillos mingling on the rocky slopes surrounding the road. Drive carefully: The rocks here are sharp, and this wouldn't be an easy place to change a tire.

After bumping along for a few miles, you'll begin your final descent to the 247-square-mile reservoir you came to see. Lake Mead comes into view as you round a corner at Mile 49.3; a mile later, at the end of a sandy path, you'll reach the secluded bay known as Gregg's Hideout. It's named for Tom Gregg, who operated a Colorado River ferry here in the early 1900s, before the lake was created.

days, the site has primitive campsites and restrooms, and anglers say it's a good place to catch sunfish, catfish and two kinds of bass. And the lakeside views are incredible a perfect conclusion to a drive that might make you want to change your name to Gregg. (Or Joshua. Or Cliff. Or Giganticus Headicus.)

HIKE of the month MOUNT BALDY CROSSOVER TRAIL Although it's overshadowed by its celebrated neighbors, the Mount Baldy Crossover Trail is the epitome of a gorgeous walk in the woods. BY ROBERT STIEVE / PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAURENCE PARENT

If East Baldy and West Baldy are Lennon and McCartney, then Baldy Crossover is George Harrison. It's the quiet trail – the trail that lives in the shadow of the White Mountains' marquee hikes. While the first two offer a distant summit and the subsequent notch in the belt, the Mount Baldy Crossover Trail is less ornamental. No big vistas. No ancient ruins. No unlikely waterfalls. But it woos you, nonetheless, with its alpine nature and its standing offer of solitude. It's the epitome of a gorgeous walk in the woods. Unlike most hikes, this one doesn't have a traditional trailhead. Instead, you have to access it from either the East Baldy Trail or the West Baldy Trail. The east side makes for a shorter overall route; however, the approach from the west is more scenic. What's more, you'll want as many miles as you can get in the White Mountains – the daytime highs in September are usually in the mid-60s. From the trailhead, the West Baldy begins with a slight uphill climb through some pines and aspens before heading downhill through a series of wide meadows. After about 15 minutes, the West Fork of the Little Colorado River makes its first appearance. The river, which is dotted with beaver dams, parallels the

trail at this point. Five minutes later, you'll enter the Mount Baldy Wilderness. Looking around, you'll understand why this area was granted the ultimate protection. In all, 6,814 acres have been declared off-limits to “human habitation.” Just beyond the wilderness boundary, after about a mile of hiking, the West Baldy Trail intersects the Crossover Trail. From the junction, it's 3.56 miles to the East Baldy Trail.

Almost immediately, the Crossover Trail jumps the Little Colorado, leaves the meadow and enters a thick forest of corkbark firs, ponderosa pines, white firs and Engelmann spruce. The route also begins a gradual uphill with the help of some moderate switchbacks. As you wind through the woods, don't be surprised if you run into one of the wildlife experts at the Arizona Game and Fish Department. In recent years, Mexican wolves have been traced to this area. While encounters are rare, wolves (and other large mammals) can be dangerous if startled, or if they feel you're a threat to their young or their food. Sing, whistle, whatever ... it's a good idea to make some noise.

No doubt, seeing a wolf would be thrilling, but it's probably not going to happen. However, you might see black bears, elk and mule deer. And you'll definitely see a massive, old-growth fir after about 10 minutes on the trail. After another 10 minutes, you'll hit the high point (9,580 feet) of the hike. Ferns and a few aspens start showing up, too.

The rest of the route is a moderate descent that winds past an impressive, two-trunk Douglas-fir and some large boulders. Beyond the rocks and trees, and to the right, you'll get a glimpse of one of the many meadows along the trail. A few minutes later, you'll be standing in the meadow, thinking: If I were a homesteader, this is where I'd sink some roots. Continuing on, the trail crosses the long meadow, which is about 75 yards wide and maybe a half-mile long, and re-enters the woods. There's a slight uphill, and then it's downhill again to another meadow that's split by a small stream. From there, the pattern repeats itself — forest, meadow, forest, meadow — until, after more than an hour of hiking on the Crossover Trail, you'll end up in a nice grove of aspens.

After the grove, the trail passes through a gate and intersects the East Baldy Trail. The trailhead is about a quarter-mile to the east, near the Gabaldon Campground. With a car-shuttle system, you could be done at this point. It's not a hardship, though, to retrace your steps back to the other side. Although it's overshadowed by its celebrated neighbors, the Mount Baldy Crossover Trail is every bit as scenic. And it's quiet, too, without the pressure of long distances and steep switchbacks. There's something in the way it woos you. You'll see.

HIKING GUIDE TRAIL GUIDE

LENGTH: 9 miles round-trip

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

ELEVATION: 9,287 to 9,580 feet

TRAILHEAD GPS: N 33°57.888', W 109°30.071'

DIRECTIONS: From Eagar, go west on State Route 260 for 18.7 miles to State Route 273. Turn left (south) onto SR 273 and continue 8.6 miles to the trailhead at Sheeps Crossing.

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: None

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

HORSES ALLOWED: Yes

USGS MAPS: Mount Baldy, Big Lake North

INFORMATION: Springerville Ranger District, 928-333-6200 or fs.usda.gov/asnf

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 shoparizonahighways.com /hikingguide.

WHERE IS THIS? Only House on the Block

This small piece of art is a feature of a tiny park in Arizona's largest city. It's named for a nearby street, which is named for an influential president who was key to the creation of a much, much bigger park in Arizona.USS Arizona Memorial, Phoenix. Congratulations to our winner, Jean Barney of Boise, Idaho.

July 2021 Answer & Winner

Win a collection of our most popular books! To enter, correctly identify the location pictured above and email your answer to editor@ arizonahighways.com-type "Where Is This?" in the subject line. Entries can also be sent to 2039 W. Lewis Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009 (write "Where Is This?" on the envelope). Please include your name, address and phone number. One winner will be chosen in a random drawing of qualified entries. Entries must be postmarked by September 15, 2021. Only the winner will be notified. The correct answer will be posted in our November issue and online at arizonahighways.com/where-is-this beginning October 15.

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