Natural History Wanderings

Arizona and New Mexico National Forests posted a new fall color report on November 9, 2012

Arizona

 Coconino National Forest

• The colors are looking good in the lower parts of Oak Creek Canyon and in the Sedona area.
•  For more information, contact the Coconino National Forest at (928) 527-3600.

   

Tonto National Forest

• Cave Creek Ranger District – The colors are really changing fast in the Seven Springs area.  They are already at 75-80%.  Rust, lots of vivid gold with some yellow and light green.  The leaves are beginning to change in the Needle Rock area.  There are some yellow and gold mixed with greens.  This area has a 20% color change.  If you travel on Pima from the 101 toward Cave Creek, turn right on Dynamite which becomes Rio Verde.  At the end of Rio Verde, turn left on Forest Road 20 which goes to Needle Rock Picnic Site and Needle Rock Beach.  When first turning onto Forest Road 20, there is a road to the right which is Box Bar Road, follow this road and turn left before the Rio Verde Ranch.  Follow the road into Box Bar.  There is a little color change there also.
• Globe Ranger District – Color is still beautiful in the Pinals right now. Best access road to view these colors is Forest Road 651 to the top of the Pinals.  Recommended hiking routes in this area are Six Shooter Canyon Trail and Ice House Trail.
• Mesa Ranger District – No color changes to report.
• Payson Ranger District – Color changes can be seen along the East Verde, Flowing Springs and up near where the East Verde begins.  Driving along the Houston Mesa Road (Forest Road 199) is probably the easiest.  (Reminder that a daily fee of $6.00 per car is needed if you use the areas around Water Wheel and the crossings).
• Pleasant Valley Ranger District – Fall foliage is at thirty to thirty-five percent in this area.  Aspens are changing on Forest Road 33, the top of section Forest Road 512 at about 6800-700 feet elevation.  Locusts are turning yellow at this same elevation.  Aspens are also changing slowly at the Aztec Peak area.  None of the riparian areas are changing yet.  All trails in this area are good for viewing changes.  Most trees are shedding leaves now.
• The estimated peak viewing period is late October and all of November.  Some areas will continue to change into December.

Fall colors are done for the season on the following Arizona National Forests:  Apache-Sitgreaves, Coronado, Kaibab and Prescott.

New Mexico  

Gila National Forest

• Black Range Ranger District – On Hwy 152 between Kingston and Emory Pass the leaves are dropping but some last chance color remains.  Snow and rain expected this weekend will most likely finish clearing off these trees also.
• Silver City Ranger District – Along the Gila River, Sycamores, Cottonwoods and Willows are fading and just past their peak.  Aspen at higher elevations are mostly gone.
• Wilderness Ranger District – Most groves along State Hwy 15 north of Hwy 35 are now past their prime but occasional sites may still have some colorful leaves remaining.  The first winter storm will come through the area this weekend stripping most trees and ending fall throughout the District.
• Reserve Ranger District – No report.
• Glenwood Ranger District – Aspen at higher elevations are now past their peak with very few areas still showing any color.  Down along the Gila River the Sycamores, Cottonwoods and Willows are fading from bright yellow to dull tan and brown with most dropping their leaves.  Fall will end this week with the coming of the first winter storm.
• Quemado Ranger District – No report.

  Fall colors are done for the season on the following New Mexico National Forests:   Cibola, Carson, Lincoln, and Santa Fe