Natural History Wanderings

New Fall Foliage updates for Arizona and New Mexico National Forests

Arizona

 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
The leaves are roughly 50% gone along Hwy. 260 between Show Low and Springerville, however, there are still some beautiful Aspens with remarkable coloring so hurry or you’ll miss these spectacular fall colors.
In Alpine the colors are almost gone, but there are patchy places all along the divide on Hwy. 180. There is patchy but beautiful color when you start south toward Hannagan Meadow from Alpine on Hwy. 191. The Oaks are beautiful but since the Wallow fire we don’t have the big stands of Aspens, but where there are some they have beautiful color. If you don’t come up in the next week the colors will likely be gone.

 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
The drive up Mt. Lemmon out of Tucson has plenty of fall color to offer. At mile 11.5 the Oaks and Sycamores are beginning to show some gold. At mile 18 in the Bear Wallow area the Maples are a glorious red and the Sycamores are showing gold. At the turnoff for the Ski Valley area there are patches of Aspens in various stages of gold. In the Village of Summerhaven the Sycamores and Aspens are golden and the Maples are in various stages of red.

On the Douglas Ranger District the colors are peaking in the Chiricahua’s. From Tucson travel east on I-10 to exit 392 and turn right (south). Follow the road to Portal. Turn right on Forest Road 42 and travel up the road to Onion Saddle and down the other side to and including Chiricahua NM. Red and gold is seen everywhere.

For the Safford Ranger District travel east out of Tucson on I-10 to exit 392 and turn left onto Hwy. 191 towards Safford. Upon seeing Hwy. 366 (aka: Swift Trail) turn left. This road will take you to the recreation sites in the Pinaleno Mts. Starting at 6000 feet elevation at Wet Canyon and on to Soldier Creek CG at 9300 feet the Aspens, Maples, and Oaks are all peaking in color. It is suggested visitors travel to this area within the next 2 weekends.

On the Nogales Ranger District the Sycamores are just beginning to show some yellow/gold. Travel south from Tucson on I-19 to Continental Interchange #62 and turn left. Turn right (south) at the Greaterville fork onto Forest Road 488 and travel into Madera Canyon.

Kaibab National Forest
Contacts for more information: Williams RD: (928) 635-5600.  Tusayan RD: (928) 638-2443.  North Kaibab RD: (928) 643-7395.

There has been no color change reported for the following forests:  Prescott and Tonto.

New Mexico

Cibola National Forest
On the Magdalena Ranger District the colors are at their peak now and should be for another week or 2. Viewing routes on the district include:
West Hwy 60 to FR 138 to Grassy Lookout (Trail 43/Apache Kid Trail)
I-25 South to exit 115, Hwy 1 to FR 225, 12 miles to Springtime Campground (Trail 43/Apache Kid Trail)
West Hwy 60 to FR 235, Water Canyon Campground to the Langmuir Lab area (Trail 14/Timber Ridge Trail)
On the Mountainair District and the 4th of July CG the colors are done for the season.

On the Mt. Taylor District the Aspens are turning yellow and the Oaks are going red, especially at the higher elevations. Forest Road 453 and upper 239 are good routes on Mt. Taylor. In the Zuni’s take Forest Road 480 through Ojo Redondo and PO Flats.

On the Sandia District there is still some fall color 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 Kiowa & Rita Blanca National Grasslands peak colors are expected in late October and early November in Mills Canyon. Take I-25 north to Wagon Mound, then east on Hwy 120 to Roy, and north on Hwy 39 to Mills. The canyon entrance will be on the left, 210 miles from Albuquerque. High clearance vehicles are recommended and 4 wheel drive will be necessary if it has rained recently. Be aware that there is only one way in and one way out of the canyon, so please take necessary precautions in regards to weather and time of day. Roy will be the last place that you will be able to get food or gas until you return to Roy upon departure or for 30 miles if you continue to Clayton or Springer.
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
Smokey Bear Ranger District – Ski Run Road (Hwy 532) up to Windy Point, towards Ski Apache.  Hwy 380 from Carrizozo, east to Hwy 37, south to Nogal, southwest on FR 400 to FR 108.  Then backtracking to Nogal. Cedar Creek area near the Smokey Bear Ranger Station is a recommended hiking route for viewing the colors.
Sacramento Ranger District – At the 7000 ft elevation and above, many colors can be seen across the area. From Cloudcroft south on Hwy 6563 (Sunspot Scenic Byway) an array of colors are brightening up the landscape.  Eight and one-half miles down the Sunspot road, turn east on the Rio Peñasco road (C17) to Hwy 130, then west and north back to Cloudcroft. From Cloudcroft, travel east on Hwy 82, then left onto Hwy 244, travel north and east to Lincoln National Forest Boundary.  A recommendation for a scenic hike is the Rim Trail (T105) running south on the east side of the Sunspot Road.
Colors are brilliant at lower elevations, as well. On the Guadalupe Ranger District many flowering wildflowers are in full bloom and can be seen from nearly all travel ways across the district.
Santa Fe National 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.

Fall colors are done for the season on the following forests: Carson