Natural History Wanderings

Arizona and New Mexico National Forests have the following fall color updates for 11/20/13

Arizona 

Tonto National Forest

On the Cave Creek Ranger District there are still colors in the Seven Springs area but they are past their peak. The leaves are changing in the Needle Rock area and should show good color for another week or 2. If you travel on Pima from Hwy. 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.

On the Mesa Ranger District the leaves on the Cottonwoods, Willows and Sycamore trees along the upper section of Sycamore Creek have completely changed. In the Sunflower area take Forest Road 627 west of Hwy. 87. Anyone up for a hike can see some nice colors in the Bushnell Tanks area. Park at the Forest Road 22 gate on the east side of Hwy. 87 and hike along the road as it follows the creek.

On the Payson Ranger District the season for color changes at higher elevations in the Payson area have ended. Color changes occurring at lower elevations in the Rye area ate at 100%. The Alder Creek area (Forest Road 442) and Rye Creek (Forest Road 414) can be accessed from Rye on the west side of Hwy. 87. High clearance vehicles are recommended for these roads.

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

New Mexico  

Fall colors are done for the season on all of New Mexico’s National Forests.