Posted by: Sandy Steinman | September 25, 2014
Arizona & New Mexico Fall Color 9/25/14
Arizona and New Mexico National Forests have new fall color updates as of 9/25/14
Arizona
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Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
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| The Aspens are changing in the high elevations on the Mogollon Rim north of Overgaard and in the mountains south of Show Low and Springerville. Peak viewing should be the first 3 weeks of October.
From Payson, take Hwy. 260 and head east. At mile post 282, turn north (left) toward Woods Canyon Lake on Forest Road (FR) 300. Fall colors can also be viewed from FR 512 (Young Road) located off Hwy. 260 at mile post 284 or at Willow Springs Lake located off Hwy. 260 at mile post 283.
From Show Low go south on Hwy. 260 which then turns eastward at the Hon-Dah casino. The next 30 miles along HWY 260 is where you can enjoy the fall colors because Aspen trees thrive at these higher elevations. This route can also take you to Sunrise Ski Park if you turn south at the Big Lake/Sunrise turnoff onto Hwy. 273.
From Alpine, go north on Hwy. 191 almost 6 miles, and then turn east at mile post 421 onto Forest Road 56 (Terry Flat – Hulsey Lake road). Continue for 4.7 miles to the road fork that begins the 6 mile loop of Terry Flat atop Escudilla Mountain. |
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| There are currently no fall colors to report but they should start soon in the Mountains near Flagstaff. Early to mid-October is usually the prime time for this area.
Suggested Drives in the Flagstaff area:
Hart Prairie (Accessed via Hwy. 180 and Forest Road (FR) 151 and/or FR 418, which also loops around the north end of the Peaks for a pretty view)
Lockett Meadow (Hwy. 89 north approx. 12 miles north of Flagstaff to FR 418/420 junction, then FR 552)
Suggested Drives on the Mogollon Rim District (north of Pine and Strawberry):
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)
FR 300 aka “Rim Road” or “General Crook Trail” (Hwy. 87 or Hwy. 260 to FR 300, 2.5 miles east of Hwy. 260, 10 miles north of Strawberry)
For more information click on the Coconino National Forest link above. |
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Coronado National Forest
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| The colors are beginning to change on the Santa Catalina Ranger District with peak viewing expected the first 2 weeks of October.
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 the Aspens are turning. In the Village of Summerhaven the Sycamores and Aspens are golden and the Maples are in various stages of red.
Marshall Gulch trail #3 is a moderate hike that leads through an area of diverse habitats that include excellent examples of Canadian Zone riparian areas and Ponderosa pine forests. If you’re a bit of an amateur naturalist, you might want to bring a guide to Arizona’s trees as well. You’ll see quite a few different species along this trail which changes aspect and life zones as it loops around a false summit of Marshall Peak. You’ll find Aspens here, of course, but you’ll also pass by Douglas-fir and White fir, Gambel and Silverleaf Oak, Madrone and more.
On the Safford Ranger District Peak viewing is expected in mid-October.
Fall colors can be seen in many places along the Swift Trail Scenic Byway. Viewing from your vehicle Wet Canyon, Cunningham Campground, and Soldier Creek Campground all the way to Riggs Flat Lake will be filled with opportunity to see different shades of color. Beyond Riggs Flat Lake, drive to Clark Peak Corrals and park for a leisure stroll on the four wheel drive loop road. |
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| Fall Colors on the North Kaibab Ranger District are starting to appear now and are expected to continue for the next month. Fall Colors on the Williams Ranger District are just starting to turn so there is not much to see yet. On the Tusayan Ranger District, there is no color change yet.
On the North Kaibab Ranger District, some color change can be seen along Arizona Highway 67 in route to the North Rim. On the Williams Ranger District, the warm sunny days and cool nights will accelerate the change of the Aspens from green to bright yellow on Bill Williams Mountain. Keep your eyes peeled!
On the East side of the North Kaibab Ranger District, Forest Road (FR) 612 and FR 610 are good spots to observe the fall colors. Approximately 15 miles northwest of FR 22 and FR 610, visitors may also observe fall colors within the vicinity of Three Lakes and Mile-and-a-Half Lake near FR 217 and FR 811.
The North Kaibab Ranger District’s Rainbow Rim Trail offers some spectacular views of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. There are five vista points from which to view the North Rim from within the Forest boundaries and all are accessible to Forest visitors.
Stop in and visit the North Kaibab Ranger District in Fredonia, AZ. We can provide visitors with a Motor Vehicle Use Map and assist in answering any questions.
For more information click on the Kaibab National Forest link above. |
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Prescott National Forest
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- There are currently no fall colors to report
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Tonto National Forest
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- There are currently no fall colors to report
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New Mexico
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Carson National Forest
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| The colors are starting to change in the higher elevations and should be at their peak by the first weekend of October.
The Aspens are changing to a vibrant gold. The Gambel Oak are also turning to their rusty red color.
The best viewing will be the Enchanted Circle. In Taos, turn east on NM 585, also called Paseo del Cañon. That road will dead end at US 64, turn right. US 64 will take you to Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. In Eagle Nest turn north on NM 38 into Red River. NM 38 will take you through Red River and into Questa. In Questa turn south (left) on NM 522. The highway will take you back to Taos.
Several cold snaps have sent temperatures plummeting into the mid to upper 20s overnight, resulting in several hard frosts. Some of the Aspens have lost their leaves at the top of the trees, but to color is still spectacular. Some high mountain elevations, above 10,000 feet, have snow on the peaks. |
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Cibola National Forest
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| On the Sandia Ranger District the Crest Highway (Hwy. 536) is showing some color in the higher elevations. Peak viewing is expected the first 2 or 3 weeks of October.
Take I-40 to Tijeras. Go north on Hwy. 14 about 5 miles and turn left on the Crest Highway.
Recommended hiking includes any trail from the Nine Mile picnic area going up. Also the North and South Crest trails and the Tecolote Trail may have some good color.
Bring a jacket and rain slicker in case it rains. Thunder, lightning and rains can hit in a matter of minutes.
It is common for the temperature to be anywhere from 15 to 20 degrees colder toward the top of the mountain.
The Mountainair Ranger District is not reporting any color yet. Peak colors are anticipated in early to mid-October at the 4th of July Campground. Forest Road 55 out of Tajique is the access to the 4th of July and there is a nice hiking trail at the campground. Conditions are very rough on FR 55 beyond the campground. High clearance vehicles are strongly recommended if you drive further.
On the Magdalena Ranger District there is no color to report at this time. Peak viewing is expected near the end of October.
Viewing routes on the Magdalena 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 Ranger district Peak viewing is expected in mid-October.
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. |
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Gila National Forest
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- There are currently no fall colors to report
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Lincoln National Forest
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- There are currently no fall colors to report
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Santa Fe National Forest
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| The leaves are starting to change in the higher elevations with peak viewing expected the 2nd and 3rd weeks of October for most of the Forest.
One of the best viewing locations in the Santa Fe area is along State Route 475, the highway to the Santa Fe Ski Area. This highway starts at the edge of Santa Fe, at the Bishop’s Lodge Road/Artist Road junction. SR 475 ends at the Santa Fe Ski Area. One can drive back the way they came, or take Forest Road 102 down Pacheco Canyon to Tesuque and then back to Santa Fe.
Here are good drives to enjoy the changing colors in the Cuba Ranger District. From Hwy. 550 in Cuba take Hwy. 126 going east. Along 126 colors are beautiful for the next 15 miles from Cuba. You can also take the drive on Forest Road (FR) 103 off 126 all the way to the Coyote boundary on FR 315. Before taking the drive it might be good to check with the Cuba Ranger District at 575-289-3264 for color reports.
State Highway 96 from the small town of Coyote through Gallina has some beautiful changing colors with a mixture of Oak, Aspen, and Cottonwoods which change in stages starting with the Oak’s reds, burnt orange, to the deep golden of the Aspen and Cottonwoods. Forest Road (FR) 103 and 93 will also offer several spectacular views of changing Aspens and Oaks. FR 77 of Hwy. 96 in Gallina, NM also has Aspen and Oak stands which change color in stages, with the Oak changing first followed by the Aspen. FR 151 off of Hwy. 84 also has a beautiful change of colors, mostly Cottonwoods and Oak stands along the river’s edge.
On the Jemez Ranger District drive along Hwy. 4 towards Los Alamos and also along Forest Road 376 past the tunnels and onto Hwy 126. There are beautiful views of Cottonwood change and Aspen change. |
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