Natural History Wanderings

Arizona and New Mexico National Forests have started posting fall foliage reports again. Reports from some areas are delayed due to the government shutdown

Arizona 

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Reports have been delayed due to the government shutdown.

Coconino National Forest Colors are in full splendor on the Coconino. Some of the trees in the higher elevations on the San Fransico Peaks are past their prime but are still beautiful. The Maples on the Mogollon Rim Distict are at their prime, and the deciduous trees in Oak Creek Canyou north of Sedona are spectacular right now.

A Flagstaff area suggested drive is Hart Prairie, which is accessed via Hwy. 180 and Forest Road 151 and/or FR 418, which also loops around the north end of the peaks for a pretty view.

Good routes north of Pine and Strawberry include FR 321 aka \’Dane Ridge\’. (Hwy. 87 to FR 95 next to the Mogollon Rim Ranger Station, right on FR 96, right on FR 321). Another nice drive is the \’Rim Road\’ or \’General Crook Trail\’ (Hwy 87 or Hwy 260 to FR 300, 2.5 miles east of Hwy 260 , 10 miles north or Strawberry.

In the Sedona area take Hwy 89A throught Oak Creek Canyon between Flagstaff and Sedona.

Coronado National Forest Reports have been delayed due to the government shutdown.

Kaibab National ForestReports have been delayed due to the government shutdown.
Contacts for more information: Williams RD: (928) 635-5600.  Tusayan RD: (928) 638-2443.  North Kaibab RD: (928) 643-7395.

Prescott National Forest Reports have been delayed due to the government shutdown.

Tonto National Forest Reports have been delayde due to the government shutdown.

New Mexico

Carson National Forest The colors are mostly past their peak throughout the Carson National Forest.

The High Road to Taos is still sporting some color this time of year.  Although recent hard freezes and heavy frosts have spoiled some of the color.  From Santa Fe, take US 84/285 north into Española.  In the heart of Española, turn on New Mexico 76 east. Stay on that highway into a small rural high mountain community called Truchas, where the highway takes a northerly direction.  The highway will go through the small communities of Ojo Sarco and Las Trampas and dead ends at NM 75.  Turn right on NM 75, headed in an easterly direction.  Stay on NM 75, going through communities of Peñasco and Vadito.  NM 75 ends at NM 518, turn left.  NM 518 connects with US 68 in Ranchos de Taos, after about 15 miles.

Another route that is peaking this week is in the El Rito and Canjilon areas.  From Espanola, take US 84 north about 55 miles and turn on NM 115 which dead ends at Canjilon, beginning a dirt road that leads to Trout Lakes and Canjilon Lakes.

Another route is to travel north of Espanola on US 84 about 20 miles to NM 554 and turn east (right) and travel to El Rito, a sleepy community with beautiful views.  If you continue to travel east on NM 554 it will dead end onto NM 111, you can either turn right to access US 285 and back to Espanola, or turn left to travel northerly to a small community of Vallecitos.  Some of the aspens in this area have suffered this summer with an outbreak of tent catepillars, which defoliated the trees, so it is not as scenic as it has been in the past.

Cibola National Forest On the Sandia Ranger District there is still some fall colors to be seen on the drive to the top of Sandia Peak. Take Hwy. 536 out of Cedar Crest to enjoy the view.

On the Magdalena District the colors are at their peak now. Take Hwy. 60 west to FR 549 to FR 138 to Grassy Lookout, or take I-25 south to exit 115 and Hwy 1 to FR 225 12 miles to Springtime Campground to access the Apache Kid Trail/trail43.

On the Mountainair District there is still some color left at the 4th of July Campground, but it is past it\’s peak. Take FR 55 out of Tajique. Road conditions are very primitave beyond the campground and high clearance vehicles are recommended.

On the Mt. Taylor District in the upper Zunis west of Grants there is a variety of color ranging from green to red.

Gila National Forest The Aspen trees are beginning to turn at high elevations (over 8,000 ft.). Cottonwoods and willows along the Mimbres River are turning gold and beginning to fall.

Lincoln National Forest Reports have been delayed due to the government shutdown.

Santa FeNational Forest

On the Cuba Ranger District the colors are currently peaking. Recommended viewing is in Blue Bird Mesa and along Hwy. 126 from Cuba to Hwy. 4 toward Jemez Springs.

The Jemez Ranger District is also at it\’s peak now. Drive on Forest Road 376 and Hwy. 4 through Jemez Pueblo for spectacular fall colors.

On the Espanola Ranger District the leaves have fallen off the trees on the way up the the Santa Fe Ski Basin and the color viewing is over for the season.