Natural History Wanderings

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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 throughout most of October and into early November.

Recommended viewing routes on the Black Mesa Ranger District are located on Hwy. 260 between Heber-Overgaard and Payson at mile post 282. Turn north toward Woods Canyon Lake onto Forest Road (FR) 300. Cooler temperatures moving into the region this week will kick start the fall foliage! Aspen trees can be found throughout the Black Mesa Ranger District.  Look for them at the higher elevations on the Mogollon Rim.

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.

On the Alpine Ranger District the best area to see fall colors is along Escudilla Mountain. From Alpine, go north on Hwy. 191 almost 6 miles, 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.

In the William Valley area you can see colors on FR 249 between Alpine and Big Lake. There may be road construction during the weekdays on FR 249 and along U.S. 191 from Hannagan Meadow to Blue Vista Viewpoint.

Be sure to bring a camera to capture the scenic views. Remember to dress appropriately to weather conditions and to wear proper footgear if planning a hike. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated! Schedule viewing on clear days during optimal sunlight from 8am-4pm. Make sure to stay on the trail. If you pack it in, pack it out!

Coconino National Forest

In the high country, yellow aspen leaves are starting to peek through the green! Within the next couple weeks we’ll see peak colors, but this phase is sometimes just as special with the full spectrum of color – from brilliant greens to bold yellow, and maybe even a spot or two of red from the deciduous trees.

Suggested sites near Flagstaff:

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

This Coronado report is from 10/02/2014.

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.

Kaibab National Forest

Fall colors on the North Kaibab Ranger District are starting to appear now and are expected to continue throughout October. 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 Hwy.  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.

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 area around Taos and on the Enchanted Circle is past its peak.

The aspens and cottonwoods are quickly changing from yellow to brown, and some are simply falling off due to frosts and below freezing temperatures.

The High Road to Taos is still sporting some color this time of year, although recent hard freezes may have impacted some of the color. 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.

Another route that is colorful this week is in the El Rito and Canjilon areas. From Espanola, take US 84 north about 55 miles and turn on Hwy. 115 which dead ends at Canjilon. There, a dirt road begins that leads to Trout Lakes and Canjilon Lakes.

Another route is to travel north of Espanola on US 84 about 20 miles to Hwy. 554 and turn east (right) and travel to El Rito, a sleepy community with beautiful views. If you continue to travel east on Hwy. 554 it will dead end onto Hwy. 111. Either turn right to access US 285 and back to Espanola, or turn left to travel northerly to a small community of Vallecitos.

The colors on these routes will likely be past their peak by October 15.

Cibola National Forest

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.

At the 4^th of July Campground on the Mountainair Ranger District a lot of the leaves are dropping without changing color. There is some color, but not as spectacular as other years. 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 some of the aspen are starting to change color (yellow with little orange hues) mainly on NE aspects.  Oak is starting to yellow but very minimal. Most of the color will be at high elevations 8,500-10,000 ft. across the district. Peak viewing is expected in late October.

Viewing routes on the Magdalena district include:

From Socorro take Hwy 60 West to FR 235 (water canyon) in Magdalena Mountains. Then up to the Langmuir Observatory.

From NM Hwy 60 between Magdalena and Socorro go on FR 235 to  Water Canyon, then go up FR 235, go to timber peak area along the crest, (Timber peak ridge), 9,000-10,000 ft. Please note that FR 235 is extremely rough due to wash out and heavy equipment on the road with little turn around space. If viewing from this road please take great caution.

For a good hike take trail #70-9,500 ft. from Water Canyon go up the mountain toward the observatory in Magdalena Mountains.

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 four-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 has been no fall color report from the Gila at this time.

Lincoln National Forest

On the Sacramento Ranger District colors have reached their peak at elevations over 8500 feet. Changes in colors are less evident at lower elevations.

From Alamogordo, take Hwy. 82 east to Cloudcroft.  Turn right onto Hwy. 130 and travel about 3 miles. Turn right (south) on the Sunspot Scenic Byway (6563), then turn left (east) on Benson Ridge Road (Forest Road (FR) 223) and turn right onto Alamo Peak Road (FR 64D).

For a nice hike take Sunspot Scenic Highway (6563) south to Upper Karr Recreation area to the east.  Drive into the recreation area and park. There is a two-track road at the far end of the recreation area, which makes for a nice short hike or leisurely walk.

On the Smokey Bear Ranger District the color change has started and will progress down the mountain quickly!  This weekend is probably the best weekend to catch the gold!  You may also see the trees change color in Carrizo Canyon if you are heading to the Inn of the Mountain Gods from Ruidoso on Carrizo Canyon Road.

For a good drive head to the Ski Apache Area. From Ruidoso take Highway 48 north up the mountain, turn left at Highway 532 (the road to Ski Apache) and drive up to Windy Point and park there for the best view.

If you want a nice hike catch the Crest Trail #25 near Monjeau Lookout. From Hwy. 532 take a right at FR 117 and drive up to the Crest Trailhead. This is a rim trail and has some wonderful views. The trail is actually over 21 miles long as it traverses along Ski Apache and ends in Nogal Canyon.

Santa Fe National Forest

The leaves are reaching their peak now on most of the forest and should continue for another week or 2.

One of the best viewing locations in the Santa Fe area is along State Route (SR) 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 FR 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 SR 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.

On the Coyote Ranger District the colors are at their peak now. Hwy. 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 and burnt orange, to the deep golden of the aspen and cottonwoods. Forest Road 103 and 93 will also offer several spectacular views of changing aspens and oaks.  Forest Road 77 of Hwy. 96 in Gallina also has aspen and oak stands which change color in stages, with the oak changing first followed by the aspen.  Forest Road 151 off Hwy. 84 also has a beautiful change of colors, mostly cottonwoods and oak stands along the river’s edge.

The Chama River corridor has spectacular views which are almost at peak viewing within the next two weeks.  FR 100 and FR 99 off Hwy. 96 in Youngsville also offer outstanding colors with huge open meadows and aspen stands along the edging of the meadows with some oak interspersed.  Colors will be starting to peak within the next week.

On the Jemez Ranger District, drive along Hwy. 4 towards Los Alamos and also along FR 376 past the tunnels and onto Hwy 126. There are beautiful views of cottonwood and aspen color change.

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