Arizona's Wildflowers

The fragrant sand verbena found on the desert is no relation to the true verbena of the Vervain Family. The sand verbena belongs to the Four O'clock Family.

A strange little plant found in Blue Tank Wash is called Lace Pod because of its clusters of lacy disks.

Among the feathery pink fairy dusters grows another shrub called chacote. It has dark red flowers and is not so well known because the cattle like it too.

A mountainside near our place was covered with tall blue lupines. For a time they swayed in the desert wind and then died and scattered their seeds. On our next visit we found their hillside covered with trailing allionia, the pink "windmills" of the Four O'clock Family.

Another strange desert plant is the so-called devilclaw. The species native to the Wickenburg area is Martynia arenaria. It bears large coppery-yellow flowers. A different species that grows at a little lower altitude has purplish flowers. Both species produce large claw-like pods designed to hook around the ankles of hooved animals for the purpose of scattering seeds. A study of the different kinds of seed pod gadgets produced by plants to insure the survival of the species is indeed interesting.

That plants have certain innate intelligence, or are prompted by such, is quite obvious to those who study desert plants. However, Cleve Backster, has gone a step further and declares that plants also have feelings, which he has detected with the polygraph (lie detector) machine. Backster, a former interrogation specialist with the Central Intelligence Agency, and who operated a New York school for training law enforcement officers in the technique of using the polygraph, can hardly be questioned when he states that plants respond to the polygraph in much the same manner that people do, especially when their welfare is threatened. The story of his first experiments was told by Thorn Bacon in the February-March 1969 National Wildlife Magazine. Backster's experiments are opening up a new field of scientific investigation, which he believes indicates that the same thread of life runs through plants, animals and humans.

Evidence, according to Edith and Frederic Clements, indicates that flowers are slowly moving toward further specialization. Part is due to natural causes, and part to artificial man-made alterations of their natural habitat. The changes are going on so slowly and silently that they are observed only by scientists whose detective work reveals their hidden secrets.

In most cases the flower photographer needs to know both common and botanical names of his subjects, or he may find himself in an argument. That's a large order in Arizona because nearly every kind of flowering plant of North America grows somewhere in Arizona due to the state's different Life Zones. Yellow flowers are oftentimes the hardest to identify by the hobbyist because there are so many different kinds, and each has an imposing list of common names.

In Arizona the yellow flowered rabbitbrush is rabbitbrush. In New Mexico it's chamisa. But in botanical language it would be recognized anywhere in the world as Chrysothamnus.

The little red Penstemon subulatus, found in scarce numbers northeast of Wickenburg, is the Arizona counterpart of California's scarlet bugler. Among the most showy flowers of early spring are those of the Rumex hymenosepalus, one of quite a number of Arizona Rumex species. A Texas relative is Rumex mexicanus. To most of us these are just plain dock, sorrel, canaigre, or wild rhubarb in whichever locality we happen to live.

In the middle 1700s Carolus Linnaeus originated a system of classification to make the natural world more understandable. Linnaeus was a Swedish professor of medicine and botany. In 1758 he published one of the world's most important books, the System of Nature. He sorted things into families and species and called it the science of taxonomy. In his book, every plant (and animal) was given two names, a generic name, designating the group to which it belongs, and a specific name showing its particular species. The names he chose were derived in the main from root languages, which botanists of all nations would recognize. Today, to find a new name for a newly discovered species, among the thousands, probably millions of plant names already in use, must be a tricky problem.

Arizona calls a lupine a lupine. The Texan calls it a bluebonnet. The botanist in Germany, Spain, or other country knows if it's Lupinus sparsiflorus, it's one of the Arizona species. If it's Lupinus havardii, it's from Texas; or if it is Lupinus termis, it is Egyptian, and he recognizes the generic name or famly to which it belongs.

Many plants and flowers have beneficent uses, and some are poisonous. Scientific names and descriptions are important in determining which is which. A surprising number of flowering plants are poisonous. For example Astragalus, one of the largest genera of flowering plants in Arizona, has many differing characteristics. Some species are seemingly harmless. Several called loco-weed are poisonous to stock, especially horses. Others, known as poison vetch, absorb large quantities of selenium, which make them also toxic to stock.

So if we find ourselves impatient with long technical names we should remember that they have an important purpose. Most flowers have so many common names they are sometimes confusing. A few seem to have none. We have found only one name for a certain little white flower near Wickenburg that resembles a daisy. Its generic name is Melampodium.

The amateur flower detective and photographer will find use for as many flower books as he can afford. Most flowers in these are listed by both botanical and common names. In many there are illustrations. Sometimes, to find a special flower, we have to search through them all.

M. Paul Jarrett... Premier Botanical Photographer Presents A Special Collection of Arizona's Wildflowers

The author with special custom-made camera Our first trip to Arizona was in the spring of 1954, on a six-week vacation. Being a photographer, using sheet film that is not available in many places, we brought along what would have been enough film for two such trips anywhere else. However, our timing, accidentally, was just right to catch the early-blooming flowers Covena, Hedgehog and others. By the time we had photographed the flowers then blooming, there were many more. One trip to the desert or up the Apache Trail (which trip we made three times in one week), to Tucson, or elsewhere, there would be such a profusion of yellow flowers as to bewilder a person. Perhaps the next trip to the same area the desert would have a carpet of blue flowers, another time there would be a mixture of yellow, orange, purple and blue! Before vacation time was up we had located a source of sheet film and bought at least twice as much as we had brought with us!

If we learned nothing else from the vacation, it was that if you do not want to live in Arizona, just do not stay too long that first trip! It is as easy to get "hooked" on Arizona as it is on drugs!

Upon returning home from the vacation we could think only of possible ways and means of moving to Arizona whichwe did late in 1956. Since coming here to live we have spent from four to seven months each year searching the state for wildflowers and beautiful scenic pictures. Our collection of wildflower pictures now numbers about two thousand, which is less than half the flowers to be found in Arizona.

Spring and early summer are the only times to find wild flowers in most areas, but in Arizona, because of the many life-zones (all of them) represented in this one state, it is possible to find flowers every month of the year, summer and fall perhaps the best time of all!

From slightly above sea-level to more than thirteen thousand feet in one state that has desert, mesas, mountains and the Grand Canyon is the secret of the great number of wildflowers to be found here. For instance, at and near Point Sublime at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will be found flowers, at 8,000 feet or so, that are normally almost tropical. The warm to almost hot breezes coming up from the bottom of the canyon make it possible.

We have heard that sometimes snow will be falling heavily at the top of the Rim and at the same time the temperature may be over 80 degrees at the bottom!

All the area above the Mogollon Rim is quite comfortable all summer, while on the desert floor temperatures may be a few degrees above 100. Many people who live and work in Phoenix, for instance, have a summer home at or near Payson or Prescott, each of which is less than 100 miles from Phoenix.

It is my firm belief that should a person start at a much younger age than did I that he could spend the rest of his life searching out the beautiful scenes and beautiful wildflowers of Arizona and not have time to see all the scenery and not nearly all the wildflowers. We have been trying for nearly fifteen years, and, if still able to walk, will be doing it fifteen years from now!

Kearney & Peebles' book “Arizona Flora,” which does not claim to list all Arizona flowers, describes 3,438 species of Arizona Wildflowers, so it will be quite evident that this is indeed a most abbreviated list of flowers you will see in Arizona!

I would suggest that if you are nearly as much interested in wildflowers as I suspect and hope you are, that you see or purchase the new "Wildflowers of America." Mr. Harold William Rickett of the New York Botanical Garden is the author. The book is published and sold by McGraw-Hill and may be obtained at most good book stores. The book is in six volumes, each in two or more parts (books) because to have all of each volume in one part would have made it too unwieldy. Volume One covers the Northeastern states; Volume Two covers the Southeastern states; Volume Three covers Texas and Volume Four covers the Southwest which consists of Arizona, New Mexico and part of Southern California. Volume Four is by far the largest of the four volumes now completed, being in three parts. Volume Five will be available this coming October and will cover the Northwest. Volume Six, covering the Rocky Mountain and Central part of the country will be completed in 1972. In the past there have been many wildflower books published, none of which contained as many as one thousand pictured wildflowers. This new one illustrates about 1,700 in each volume!

Before describing the various flower pictures to follow, I must give much credit to Mr. Carl-Eric Granfelt, Range Conservationist, Fort Apache Agency, U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, for having given up more than one of his days off to help me find many of the flowers that are rare, and, even more important, in helping in the identification of several wildflowers that were beyond my capabilities. If there be errors in identification of the flowers shown here they will be mine, not his.

It may be of interest to you to know that in the past few years Arizona taxonomists have identified at least three species from Mr. Granfelt's collection of reservation plants which are new to the state, one species apparently never having been reported west of the Missouri River before.

Mr. W. Hubert Earle and John Weber of Desert Botanical Garden of Arizona and Doctor Donald J. Pinkava, Taxonomist and professor of Botany and Elinor Lehto, Herbarium Curator of Arizona State University all have been of much assistance in identifying wildflowers that had me stuck. My only regret is that I had not sooner availed myself of their expert assistance.

In alphabetical order by botanical name we will give a very short, nontechnical description of the flowers pictured, the area in which it will be found and probable time of flowering.

Acacia Greggi CATCLAW ACACIA. Also known as Wait-a-minute, Devil's-claw. Any or all of the foregoing common names fit this interesting shrub and its sharp, curved claws, resembling those of a cat, which will easily identify this shrub, very common on the desert. Honeybees like the fuzzy pale yellow flowers which are the source of a very high-grade honey. The blooming period is April and May. The light green fruit pods mature in August, at which time they become reddish, making a quite colorful display when found in large concentrations. At one time the seeds were gathered by Indians and made into mush or cakes. A gum exudes from the bark that is similar to gum arabic.

Aconitum columbianum MONKS-HOOD. Monks-Hood is a charming flower with an individuality all of its own. It is frequently found intermingled with Larkspur (Delphinium), with which it could be confused. The common name is derived from the shape of the flower. It has five sepals, the uppermost one of which is shaped like a hood with no projection to the rear. The Delphinium derives its name from the spur-like projection to the rear. It has no “cap.” The plant grows from a tuber which contains the poison Aconite, as do the leaves and stems to a lesser degree. A new tuber forms at the end of the old one each year to produce the next crop. It is believed that in most cases of Monkshood poisoning it is actually from Larkspur. To find Monkshood look along stream banks and in moist, shaded areas at altitudes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. It will be seen in many places in the White Mountains of Arizona.

Agave Parryi CENTURY PLANT. The flowering stems of some varieties of agave attain a height of as much as 30 feet, growing at the rate of as much as a foot per day. The fibers known as henequen and sisal are from varieties of agave grown for the crop in parts of Mexico. Agave was a food of importance to the American Indians who had access to it. The beginning flower stalk, somewhat resembling a giant asparagus, was roasted in large pits, some of which can still be seen on mountainsides in Arizona.

Agoseris aurantiaca ORANGE AGOSERIS. More commonly known as Mountain Dandelion. It is also known as Goat's Beard in some areas, which name comes from the Greek words: aix, goat; and seris, chicory. The petals resemble those of chicory except in color. The flowers are generally yellow or orange occasionally purple. It is a very pretty perennial (usually) about a foot tall. The stems are very hairy and when backlighted are beautiful, as are the flowers. It will be found in open pine forests, meadows and grassy slopes at altitudes of from 5,500 to 9,500 feet. It blooms from June to August.

Agoseris arizonica SLENDER AGOSERIS. Also known as Mountain Dandelion. This is the most common variety in Arizona. It will be found in pretty much the same situations as Agoseris aurantiaca.

Anemone tuberosa-TUBER ANEMONE. More commonly known as Windflower. As the name implies, this one grows from a tuber. It will be seen from February to April among rocks on foothills and mesas at altitudes of from 2,500 to 5,000 feet. The tall, slender stalks make it rather difficult to photograph if there is too much wind.

Argemone pleiacantha-CRESTED PRICKLE-POPPY. Also known as Chicalote, Thistlepoppy and others. It is one of the most common perennials of the desert regions of the Southwest. It is a member of the Poppy family, but due to the thistle-type bluish-green prickly stems and leaves, resembling thistle in both form and color, is occasionally erroneously called thistle. It blooms primarily in spring but can be found in bloom the year-round. The buds are prickly and three-pointed, resembling some sort of burr. The large, flat, white flower with its golden yellow center somewhat resembles a "cowboy's fried egg" which it is sometimes called. In Northern Mexico and Southern Arizona it will be found with light yellow petals and in parts of Texas it can be found with pink petals and red center.

blooms primarily in spring but can be found in bloom the year-round. The buds are prickly and three-pointed, resembling some sort of burr. The large, flat, white flower with its golden yellow center somewhat resembles a "cowboy's fried egg" which it is sometimes called. In Northern Mexico and Southern Arizona it will be found with light yellow petals and in parts of Texas it can be found with pink petals and red center.

Asclepias asperula - MILKWEED. Sometimes called Antelope Horns, this pretty variety has a flowerhead that is round like a ball, the flowers being greenish-yellow and maroon. It will be found almost anywhere in Arizona between 3,000 and 9,000 feet on slopes and dry plains even in open areas of pine forests.

Asclepias speciosa SHOWY MILKWEED. This large, coarse, showy variety is to be found in Arizona at altitudes of from 6,000 to 9,000 feet, in the woods and along roadsides. Arizona has 27 varieties of Asclepias. It blooms from May to September.

Asclepias tuberosa BUTTERFLY MILKWEED. This is probably the most conspicuous of the 27 varieties of Asclepias to be found in Arizona. The flowers are usually bright orange to red but are sometimes yellow. It will be found in open woods and along roadsides in the pine belt, between 4,000 and 8,000 feet altitude. The Arizona plants belong to the sub-species Interior. It blooms from May to September.

Astragalus MILK-VETCH. This is the fruit of one of something like one hundred varieties of Astragalus found in Arizona. It is sometimes called rattle-weed, rattle-pod, etc. Astragalus is the largest genus found in Arizona.

Baileya multiradiata DESERT-MARIGOLD. This is a wooly, usually low-growing woody-based annual herb. Its stems and leaves are mostly basal, with many long (12 to 18 inches) flower stems, each bearing a single flower about 11/2 inches in diameter, having many bright yellow petals and a golden center. The plant is gray-green, almost entirely hidden by the flowers when in bloom. Although March to October finds it at its best, it may be found every month of the year. It is cultivated extensively for the flower trade. It is poisonous to sheep.

Beloperone californica CHUPAROSA. Beloperone is the only U. S. member of the very large tropical Acanthus family. The shrub is from one to three feet tall, leafless a large part of the year. The flowers are dull red, tubular, about an inch long and distinctly bilabiate, the upper lip two-lobed and the lower lip three-lobed, two stamens. It is found along washes and on rocky slopes in Yuma, Pinal and Maricopa counties from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. It may be found in flower at almost any time of year. Best from March to April. The name is from the Greek words: beles, an arrow; perone, something sharp. The branches are quite straight and have a very sharp tip.

Calliandra eriophylla-FALSE-MESQUITE CALLIANDRA. The most generally used common name for this most delicately beautiful and fragile-looking flower you will ever see is Fairy Duster. It is a shrub, the foliage of which is browsed considerably by cattle, sheep and deer. It is very common on dry slopes and mesas. It blooms from February to May.

Calochortus Kennedyi - MARIPOSA LILY. In some areas, in good season, Mariposa Lily puts on a display that is truly spectacular. The petals are usually deep orange but they do occur in bright yellow and shades between. The range of Mariposa Lily is from lower desert to about 5,000 feet. It blooms from March to June. The large bulbs were eaten by Indians and it is said to have been eaten by early Mormon settlers.

Campanula rotundifolia - BELLFLOWER. Also known as Harebells. These little flowers grow on very slender stems and are easily disturbed by the wind, but are well worth any effort required to get pictures of them. They will be found in meadows, along roadsides and to some extent on rocky hillsides at 8,500 feet and higher. They bloom from July to September.

Centaurea americana - STAR-THISTLE; KNAPP-WEED. This variety is rather rare in Arizona, but can be found in the Fort Apache area of the White Mountains. Look for it near the Kinishba Ruins turnoff. It is a very beautiful plant and is cultivated in some areas as "American Basketflower."

Cichorium intybus-CHICORY. This plant has large, bright blue flowerheads that are very attractive, but close in late afternoon. The leaves of some varieties are cooked as greens or eaten raw. Its roots are also one of the leading adulterants of coffee and are even substituted for coffee. It has become a common weed in the U. S. and Canada, but still is a beautiful roadside flower.

Cleome serrulata SPIDER-FLOWERS. It is also known as Spider-flower; also Skunkweed because of the odor of its leaves when crushed. It is a beautiful feathery flower that will be seen along roadsides from June to September at 4,500 to 7,000 feet, especially in the northern part of Arizona.

Commelina dianthifolia - DAYFLOWER. This most beautiful little flower resembles Tradescantia (Spiderwort) and is occasionally mistaken for it, as it might well be they are close relatives. Each pod has several buds in it, blooming one at a time until each has opened. It will be found in pine woods and in rocky meadows from August to September at elevations of 3,500 to 9,500 feet. In the White Mountains we have seen large concentrations of it at about 9,000 feet.

Coreopsis tinctoria PLAINS COREOPSIS. This pretty little flower is grown extensively in gardens as "Calliopsis." It will be found in open spaces in pine forests and in fields where there is moist soil, at 5,000 to 7,000 feet. North central Arizona, near Show Low and Pinetop especially.

Coryphantha vivipara, var. arizonica PIN-CUSHION CACTUS. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, this little fellow is not easily seen when not in flower and not too obvious when it is because it is a very low plant, usually growing in grassy areas that almost conceal it. Look for it in May and June at near 8,000 feet, perhaps somewhat lower.

Cowania mexicana-CLIFF-ROSE. Very common at 3,000 to 8,000 feet on dry slopes and mesas in the pinyon pine and juniper belt. It blooms from April to September. The flowers are beautiful and the plumed fruits are even more spectacular when backlighted. This is a very important winter browse for deer, sheep and cattle. In ancient times strips of the inner bark were used in weaving or braiding various articles, such as rope, sandals and clothing. It has attained a height of as much as 25 feet, but is usually about six or eight feet tall.

Dichelostemma pulchellum COVENA; BLUEDICKS. In springtime this is one of the first flowers to appear in many parts of the desert country. It will be found in what almost might be termed dense stands in some areas. It will be found in the flat lands and among the lower hills, especially on hillsides. It is quite plentiful on the Apache Trail and in the desert near Phoenix. If interested in photographing it, look for the most stunted specimen to avoid getting the entire landscape in your picture! Also look for one that still has leaves they dry up and disappear early.

Echinocereus Engelmannii-HEDGEHOG. This Hedgehog grows in clumps or clusters of from one to a dozen or more round, cucumber-like stems, not crowded, usually six to twelve inches high and two to three inches in diameter, each with ten to fifteen ribs. It has several so-called common names, one of which are Strawberry Hedgehog because the fruits are alleged to taste like strawberries. They are an important food item for birds and animals.

Echinocereus Fendleri - HEDGEHOG. The Hedgehog is widely distributed in Arizona in one or another of several varieties. One or more varieties will be found at altitudes of from 3,000 to 7,500 feet. It blooms from April to May, depending upon altitude and weather conditions.

Encelia farinosa - BRITTLE-BUSH; INCIENSO. This low, branching shrub, with its gray-green leaves is probably the most interesting and beautiful of the winter flowers on rocky slopes up to 3,000 feet. The plant exudes a sap, or gum, that is chewed by Indians as gum. The gum was also used as incense by the early Catholic priests, hence the name “Incienso.” In Yuma county there is a variant of Encelia farinosa, variety phenicodonta, that has purple disk flowers instead of the yellow disk of the typical plant. It blooms from November to May.

Ephedra trifurca JOINT-FIR. Much used by Indians and early settlers, its most commonly used name is “Mormon Tea.” Dried and made into tea it is said to taste very good. Being one of the more xerophytic desert plants, it is always in good supply. It is browsed to some extent by cattle and bighorn sheep. It is also of considerable value as a soil binder.

Epipactis gigantea HELLEBORINE. This beautiful orchid is unusual in both form and coloring. It grows from one to four feet tall, on a stout stem with as many as ten flowers. The lower “lip” of the flower is hinged to the base, a slight breeze giving it a tremulous motion, from which the common name “Chatterbox” came. Look for it in moist soil, especially along stream banks, at altitudes of 3,000 to 8,000 feet. It blooms April to May. In Arizona it is to be found in Coconino, Navajo, northeastern Mohave to Cochise and Pima counties.

Erigeron formosissimus - WILD-DAISY. This one is very common in the high country of Northern Arizona. There are two varieties of it. It blooms from July to September at altitudes of 5,500 to 10,500 feet in coniferous forests and along roads.

Erodium cicutarium FILEREE. Also known as Alfilaria, etc. The seeds of this plant, a member of the Geranium family, germinate in the fall, making feed for cattle both spring and fall. It is to be found in thick stands almost throughout the state at altitudes below 7,000 feet. It is a very valuable forage crop. In areas of sufficient moisture it blooms throughout the year. In Arizona it blooms mostly from February to July. The petals fall off early, so get out early in the morning to photograph it.

Erodium texanum HERON-BILL. There are two varieties of Erodium in Arizona, texanum being the least represented here but it looks more like the cultivated varieties. The plants usually survive only a few weeks in the desert country but animals appear to relish the dried plants as much as when green. The fruits, or seeds, are like corkscrews and are very sharp pointed when dry. When moistened they uncoil and penetrate the soil as if screwed in. This variety grows at altitudes of 1,000 to 4,500 feet.

Erysimum capitatum WESTERN WALLFLOWER. These are very showy plants much resembling the cultivated variety. They are usually bright yellow, but may be orange or maroon. They may be seen at 4,500 feet but usually are found in coniferous forests at 7,000 feet or more. Common in the White Mountains.

Eschscholtzia neomexicana GOLD-POPPY. This beautiful small desert flower will cover extensive areas of the landscape with its beautiful deep yellow flowers in years of good moisture. They may be found almost throughout the state except the southeastern part, at elevations above 4,500 feet. The Arizona variety is slightly smaller than the California variety, and ours is strictly an annual. Usually there will be lupine, phacelia, baeria, orthocarpus and other flowers intermixed with it in hilly areas (pages 20-21).

Eupatorium maculatum - THOROUGHWORT. The more common name for this one is Joe-Pye Weed. It is a very large genus, represented in Arizona by nine varieties, this being probably the most noticeable. It is to be found in wet soil, mostly along streams, at altitudes of 4,500 to 7,500 feet. Flowering in September.

Fendlera rupicola FENDLERBUSH. An intricately branched, straggling shrub from three to six feet tall. It is very decorative and is used in landscape gardening.

Ferocactus Wislizenii BARREL CACTUS. Barrel cactus is usually from two to four feet tall, but has been known to reach 10 feet. The flowers are beautiful, some entirely yellow, others striped with red. It is possible to find a complete circle of flowers in bloom at one time but it takes a bit of searching. When not in bloom it is fun to make backlighted pictures of the spines.

Fouquieria splendens OCOTILLO. This is one of the most conspicuous desert plants and very beautiful when in bloom. It is very common on dry mesas and dry slopes. It blooms from April to June. It drops its leaves when moisture is low, putting out new ones each time a good rain comes, perhaps several times a year. It is planted in rather tight rows in Mexico, making an impenetrable fence. The roots, dried and powdered, are used for medicinal purposes.

Gaura gracilis - HARLEQUIN BUSH. In Arizona there are three varieties of Gaura. There are two sub-varieties of Gaura gracilis. It may be seen almost throughout the state except the most western part. It is especially abundant in Coconino county mountains and Cochise county mountains. It does very well along roadsides, especially in the Flagstaff area toward Cameron. Between 2,500 and 9,000 feet from May to October.

Gaillardia pinnatifida BLANKET FLOWER. This is the variety that is cultivated in flower gardens. It blooms in Arizona from April to September at elevations mostly 3,500 to 5,500 feet. It is sometimes called Blanketflower, Indian Blanket and Fire-wheel. There are places that entire fields may be covered with one or another of the four varieties found in Arizona. There are large displays near Sedona almost every year.

Gilia aggregata SKYROCKET GILIA. This is one of the showiest flowers in Arizona, ranging from pink to scarlet or even pale orange, sometimes spotted, but more commonly solid colors. They bloom mostly in coniferous forests at about 5,000 to 8,000 feet elevation. This plant is a favorite of hummingbirds for the trapped insects as much as for the honey.

Haplopappus spinulosus IRONPLANT GOLDENWEED. This beautiful flower will be found almost throughout the state of Arizona in one or another of several variations.

Helenium arizonicum MULE'S-EARS. This alpine scene is seen from the road between Maverick and Big Lake. This is not the best road in Arizona but the trip is well worth the effort because there are not only many beautiful scenes, many wildflowers and an abandoned railroad but several beautiful lakes on its route.