Natural History Wanderings

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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.

In the Springerville area take Hwy. 260 west to Hwy. 261 and follow the signs to Big Lake.

For colors in the Alpine area, go north on Hwy. 191 almost 6 miles, and then turn east at mile post 421 onto FR 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.

Coconino National Forest

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) The Inner Basin Trail is a good hike from here.

Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail/Kendrick Mountain Wilderness (via Hwy. 180 north of Flagstaff.

Suggested Drives on the Mogollon Rim District (north of Pine and Strawberry near Blue Ridge):

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)

Not too much has changed yet in the lower elevations around Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona. Their fall colors tend to trail a week or two behind.

For more information click on the Coconino National Forest link above.

Coronado National Forest

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.

Kaibab National Forest

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.

Prescott National Forest

• There are currently no fall colors to report

Tonto National Forest

• There are currently no fall colors to report

Carson National Forest

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.

The High Road to Taos is especially beautiful this time of year.  From Santa Fe, take US 84/285 north into Española.  In the heart of Española, turn on Hwy. 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 Hwy. 75.  Turn right on Hwy. 75, headed in an easterly direction.  Stay on Hwy. 75, going through communities of Peñasco and Vadito.  Hwy. 75 ends at Hwy. 518, turn left.  Hwy. 518 connects with US 68 in Ranchos de Taos, after about 15 miles.  However, upper elevations, about 9,000 feet, the aspen are past peak.

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.

Cibola National Forest

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.

On the Mountainair Ranger District the colors are just starting to change at the 4^th of July Campground with peak colors expected in mid-October. Forest Road 55 out of Tajique is the access to the 4^th 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.

Gila National Forest

• There are currently no fall colors to report

Lincoln National Forest

• There are currently no fall colors to report

Santa Fe National Forest

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. 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 take the 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.

In the Pecos area take I-25 to Glorieta. Get off at exit 299 and follow Hwy. 50 4 miles to South Main Street. Turn left at the 4 way stop and drive north on Hwy. 63 to enjoy the fall colors.