Natural History Wanderings

Arizona and New Mexico National Forests  have new fall color updates

Arizona 

Coconino National Forest

Colors are in full splendor on the Coconino. Most of the trees in the higher elevations are past their prime but are still beautiful. The deciduous trees in Oak Creek Canyon and the Sedona area are spectacular right now. Take Hwy 89A through 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 week.

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.

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

Fall colors are done for the season on the following forests: Apache-Sitgreaves and Kaibab.

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 Mt. Taylor District near Grants the colors are currently at their peak. Forest Road 453 and upper 239 are good routes on Mt. Taylor. In the Zuni’s take Forest Road 50 or 400. The best colors are near McGaffey Campground off of Forest Road 400 with excellent hiking on Gooseberry Trail and Hilso Trail.

On the Kiowa & Rita Blanca National Grasslands peak colors are expected in 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 wind and rain in the southern portion of the forest around Glenwood, Silver City and Mimbres has blown most of the leaves off the trees at the lower elevations. Cold temperatures at higher elevations make this probably the last week for the northern portions of the forest near Reserve and Quemado and the Black Range District west of Truth or Consequences.

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.

 Fall colors are done for the season on the following forests: Carson and Santa Fe.