Mileposts/Events

Watch a Mountain Sleep • Take a Historic Hike Go to a Garlic Fest Picnic at the Salt River WALK INTO HISTORY

Visitors to Tubac Presidio State Park or Mission Tumacacori are just footsteps away from a scenic path that's also a National Historic Trail. The Anza Trail follows the Santa Cruz River, sometimes crossing it, for 4.5 miles of the route followed by Capt. Juan Bautista de Anza in the 1770s when he led a party of settlers to what's now San Francisco. Described as an "easy" walk by those who've done it, the path starts just south of the Tubac state park (across the road at the picnic grounds) and ends at the beautiful old mission or vice versa, depending upon where you start. Expect to get your feet wet, and enjoy. To ask about the presidio, call (520) 398-2252; and the mission, (520) 398-2341.

RECREATION MAP

The Arizona Atlas & Gazetteer provides a high level of detail and recreational information for the entire state, including back roads (with name and number when possible), trails and roadbeds, forests, elevation contours, Bureau of Land Management and state lands (color-coded), boat launch sites, little-known lakes and streams, airfields and landing strips, power lines, and pipelines. The map, with a scale of 1:250,000 (approximately one inch to four miles), was designed to be used with Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, with Check wherever maps are sold or call the publisher, DeLorme, toll-free at (800) 452-5931.

TRIBUTE TO ZANE GREY

When the Dude Fire of 1990 charred thousands of acres west of Payson, the Zane Grey Cabin was among the losses. Only a stone fireplace and pillars were left standing, and now they're gone as well to make way for a housing development.

But the spirit of the Western author lives on in the Zane Grey Museum, located on the second floor of a Payson office building at 408 W. Main. It's owned and operated by Mel Counseller, who was a caretaker at Grey's cabin for several years. Working with limited funds but great enthusiasm, Counseller and his wife, Beth, gathered such items as a melted puddle of aluminum that used to be a window frame at the cabin, a leg off an old stove used by Grey, and the mailbox that used to sit out front. The museum's walls are covered with posters from movies based on Grey's novels, photos of the cabin before and after the fire, and pictures of Grey with family and friends. Counseller also has a good collection of Grey's novels. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 A.M. to to 4 P.M. and Sunday, 11 A.M. to 2 P.M.; admission is free. For more information, call (520) 474-6243. - Sam Lowe Montgomery's personal art collection.

Museum hours are Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.; Sunday 1 to 4 P.M; closed Tuesday. Admission is $3, adults; $2, seniors and children; free, under 12. For more information, contact the museum at 4701 Highway 89 North, Prescott, AZ 86301; (520) 778-1385.

'MOUNTAIN LYING DOWN'

For a breathtaking view of the Kaibab Plateau (the "reclining" mountain), watch for Milepost 527 on U.S. Route 89 above Bitter Springs in northern Arizona. From a parking area on the sunset side of the road, look to the western horizon the huge dark blue landform is the Kaibab. Look to about 2 o'clock, and you'll see the Vermilion Cliffs. At ground level, you'll see the winding gash of Marble Canyon, with the Colorado River rushing some 500 feet below.

CAMP AT PEPPERSAUCE

Despite its name, the oasis-like Peppersauce Campground in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson offers relief from the surrounding summer heat. Traveling there through cactus-dotted desert doesn't prepare campers for the cool campground, sitting at 4,700 feet, shaded by huge sycamore trees, and watered by nearby springs. The well-used campground is open year-round and has safe water and rest rooms. The name Peppersauce, by the way, supposedly comes from a hot-sauce-loving fellow who lost a bottle of the stuff in the area. For more about camping there, contact the Santa Catalina Ranger District, Coronado National Forest, (520) 749-8700.

PHIPPEN MUSEUM HOSTS GEORGE MONTGOMERY EXHIBIT

In the years since his handsome face appeared in Hollywood movies, former actor George Montgomery has kept busy as a successful artist. Some of his works, including huge bronze sculptures and furniture, will be exhibited June 28 through November 17,1997, at the Phippen Museum in Prescott.

"George Montgomery's Creations and Collections," also will include movie poster memorabilia as well as selections from

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL . . . ALMOST NEAR SAN XAVIER

For visitors who flock to Lake Powell for some peace and quiet along with their water fun but who still want to keep in touch with folks at home, never fear - you can use your cell phone almost anywhere on the waterway except in its deepest canyons. Service is via a transmitter atop 10,388foot Navajo Mountain.

PICNICKING IN SALT RIVER CANYON

Picnickers in the Salt River Canyon can stop at Milepost 293 (about halfway between Globe and Show Low) where a scenic spot near the bridge offers tables for alfresco dining. Nearby steps lead to the water.

EVENTS Sweet Onion Festival

June 1; Rock Springs The Rock Springs Patio in the Bradshaw Mountain and New River foothills hosts this annual salute to the sweet Vidalia varieties of onions grown in the area. Activities include recipe and biggest onion/ best sweet red onion.contests, crafts booths, music, and more. Admission's free, but bring your own Kleenex at this celebration of the onion, tears are just a measure of how much fun folks are having. Information: (602) 470-8086, ext. 306.

Territorial Days

June 14-15; Prescott The mile-high town's picturesque Courthouse Plaza provides the setting for this 17th annual Territorial Days celebration. Planned activities include arts and crafts booths, games for kiddies and grown-ups, live entertainment, and food booths. Admission's free. Information: (520) 445-2000.

Pine Country Rodeo

June 20-22; Flagstaff This pro rodeo's been happening for 16 years now, so the organizers pretty much know what's gonna draw the crowds: In addition to cowboys riding bulls and trying to stay on horses that aren't interested, there'll be a bunch of other distractions, including a carnival, a dance, musical entertainment, a pancake breakfast, and a dressed-up pig race. Some events precede the rodeo; call for a complete schedule and admission prices. Information: toll-free (800) 842-7293.

Old Miner's Day

June 28; Chloride There's still plenty of kick left in the old silver-mining town of Chloride, and never more so than during this annual celebration. The fun begins at noon with the big parade down Tennessee Avenue; the Chloride Gunfighters perform throughout the historic buildings, and if you have time, ask about Roy Purcell's rock murals outside of town. Information: (520) 565-2204.

Photo Workshops

PHOTO WORKSHOPS PROMISE SCENERY AND ADVENTURE

Photo Workshops conducted by Arizona Highways photographers during the last half of 1997 will feature raft trips down the Colorado River along with treks to the red rocks of Sedona and the Navajo Nation.

David Muench and Marc Muench will lead a workshop in August while rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River; and Gary Ladd, who has spent years photographing the Canyon, will conduct the second workshop in September.

For a brochure fully describing the 1997 workshops sponsored by the Friends of Arizona Highways, write to the Friends at P.O. Box 6106, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6106; or call them at (602) 271-5904.

Here are the Photo Workshops and dates for August through November:

Garlic Festival

June 28-29; Dewey If you've been to an October Pumpkin Festival at Young's Farm, you're aware the folks there know how to throw a down-home good time, so their Garlic Festival's a safe bet. Besides garlic cooking seminars (and garlic ice cream!), there also will be live music, children's rides and games, arts and crafts, a critter corral, and a barbecue. Not to be missed, we're sure, is an appearance by "Garlic Man."

Admission's free. Information: (520) 6327272.