Archive All Issues July 2025

HEADED FOR HIGHER GROUND

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There are many reasons people head for the high country in July. Some go for the cooler temperatures. Some like to look for squirrels. And some want to stand along the lake that's featured on page 34.

Featured in the July 2025 Issue of Arizona Highways

BY: Jeff Kida and Keith Whitney (Portfolio Editors)

 

At Sheeps Crossing, in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona, grasses and flowers grow on a log in the West Fork of the Little Colorado River. Sheeps Crossing, along State Route 273, is where the West Baldy Trail up Mount Baldy begins. | Claire Curran | CANON EOS 5DS R, 0.4 SEC, F/20, ISO 100, 50 MM LENS
At Sheeps Crossing, in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona, grasses and flowers grow on a log in the West Fork of the Little Colorado River. Sheeps Crossing, along State Route 273, is where the West Baldy Trail up Mount Baldy begins. | Claire Curran | CANON EOS 5DS R, 0.4 SEC, F/20, ISO 100, 50 MM LENS

 

Leafy aspens cast shadows on a field of summer wildflowers on the Kaibab Plateau of Northern Arizona. The plateau is one of the major landforms of the Arizona Strip, the section of Arizona that is north of the Colorado River. | Adam Schallau | CANON EOS R5, 1/640 SEC, F/2.8, ISO 100, 187 MM LENS
Leafy aspens cast shadows on a field of summer wildflowers on the Kaibab Plateau of Northern Arizona. The plateau is one of the major landforms of the Arizona Strip, the section of Arizona that is north of the Colorado River. | Adam Schallau | CANON EOS R5, 1/640 SEC, F/2.8, ISO 100, 187 MM LENS

 

Sneezeweeds bloom in abundance along the meandering West Fork of the Black River, a perennial White Mountains waterway. This location, featuring one of the expansive meadows for which the White Mountains are known, is near the Thompson Trailhead. | Paul Gill | CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/8 SEC, F/22, ISO 100, 16 MM LENS
Sneezeweeds bloom in abundance along the meandering West Fork of the Black River, a perennial White Mountains waterway. This location, featuring one of the expansive meadows for which the White Mountains are known, is near the Thompson Trailhead. | Paul Gill | CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/8 SEC, F/22, ISO 100, 16 MM LENS

 

A placid section of the Black River mirrors ponderosa pines and other trees while nourishing tall grasses along the river. This photo is of the river’s East Fork, which joins the West Fork about 14 miles southwest of Alpine | Claire Curran | CANON EOS 5DS R, 0.8 SEC, F/22, ISO 100, 50 MM LENS
A placid section of the Black River mirrors ponderosa pines and other trees while nourishing tall grasses along the river. This photo is of the river’s East Fork, which joins the West Fork about 14 miles southwest of Alpine | Claire Curran | CANON EOS 5DS R, 0.8 SEC, F/22, ISO 100, 50 MM LENS

 

A ponderosa pine displays its numerous cones, which typically grow to a length of 3 to 6 inches. The ponderosa shown here is at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, northeast of Flagstaff. | Paul Gill | CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/100 SEC, F/9, ISO 400, 100 MM LENS
A ponderosa pine displays its numerous cones, which typically grow to a length of 3 to 6 inches. The ponderosa shown here is at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, northeast of Flagstaff. | Paul Gill | CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/100 SEC, F/9, ISO 400, 100 MM LENS

 

A waterfall flows over weathered rocks in Palisade Canyon, part of the Tucson area’s Santa Catalina Mountains. Exploring this remote canyon is a challenge that often involves technical canyoneering and rappelling. | Joel Hazelton | CANON EOS 6D, 1/10 SEC, F/16, ISO 200, 19 MM LENS
A waterfall flows over weathered rocks in Palisade Canyon, part of the Tucson area’s Santa Catalina Mountains. Exploring this remote canyon is a challenge that often involves technical canyoneering and rappelling. | Joel Hazelton | CANON EOS 6D, 1/10 SEC, F/16, ISO 200, 19 MM LENS

 

After sunset, the calm water of Crescent Lake, in the White Mountains, reflects the evergreens on a nearby volcanic knoll. Located just north of Big Lake, this reservoir is known for its crystal-clear water and for attracting deer, elk, foxes and other wildlife. | Jack Dykinga | ARCA-SWISS F-FIELD C 4X5, FUJICHROME VELVIA, 5 SEC, F/45, ISO 50, 75 MM LENS
After sunset, the calm water of Crescent Lake, in the White Mountains, reflects the evergreens on a nearby volcanic knoll. Located just north of Big Lake, this reservoir is known for its crystal-clear water and for attracting deer, elk, foxes and other wildlife. | Jack Dykinga | ARCA-SWISS F-FIELD C 4X5, FUJICHROME VELVIA, 5 SEC, F/45, ISO 50, 75 MM LENS

 

A large insect perches on a sneezeweed flower in a wooded area near the White Mountains’ Forest Road 24. This road is one component of a scenic drive over Wildcat Crossing, a small bridge that spans the Black River. | Claire Curran | CANON EOS 5DS R, 1/100 SEC, F/5, ISO 100, 90 MM LENS
A large insect perches on a sneezeweed flower in a wooded area near the White Mountains’ Forest Road 24. This road is one component of a scenic drive over Wildcat Crossing, a small bridge that spans the Black River. | Claire Curran | CANON EOS 5DS R, 1/100 SEC, F/5, ISO 100, 90 MM LENS

 

A “sunstar” punctuates a juxtaposition of evergreens and a prickly pear cactus in the Sierra Prieta, a mountain range in the Prescott National Forest. This range, located west of Prescott, includes local landmarks such as Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain. | Joel Hazelton | CANON EOS 6D, 1/6 SEC, F/18, ISO 100, 17 MM LENS
A “sunstar” punctuates a juxtaposition of evergreens and a prickly pear cactus in the Sierra Prieta, a mountain range in the Prescott National Forest. This range, located west of Prescott, includes local landmarks such as Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain. | Joel Hazelton | CANON EOS 6D, 1/6 SEC, F/18, ISO 100, 17 MM LENS

 

Aspens mingle with ponderosa pines in Sandys Canyon, a scenic hiking destination southeast of Flagstaff. This view is from an overlook west of Canyon Vista Campground, which is just off Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3). | Tom Bean | CANON EOS 5D MARK II, 1/6 SEC, F/13, ISO 400, 28 MM LENS
Aspens mingle with ponderosa pines in Sandys Canyon, a scenic hiking destination southeast of Flagstaff. This view is from an overlook west of Canyon Vista Campground, which is just off Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3). | Tom Bean | CANON EOS 5D MARK II, 1/6 SEC, F/13, ISO 400, 28 MM LENS