Natural History Wanderings

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Coconino National Forest

Fall colors are at their peak in the high country around Flagstaff and along the Mogollon Rim.

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.

Coronado National Forest

On Mt. Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, the red, orange and gold colors of the maples can be found in Bear Wallow, Marshall Gulch and just beyond the end of Turkey Run Road. Golden aspen leaves can be observed along the road to Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, at the summit above Ski Valley, and on the Aspen Loop and Aspen Draw trails. Leaf colors have been at their peak, and will fade as temperatures cool.

On the Safford Ranger District the fall colors are at their peak. The best color can be found on Mt. Graham above 7,000 feet in elevation.

On the Sierra Vista Ranger District riparian (ash, willows and cottonwoods) species on the west side of the Patagonia Mountains are just beginning to turn as they are located in the warmer lower elevations sites. Higher elevations are turning or have turned due to the colder conditions that exist on the Huachuca Mountains.  From town you can see aspens turning on Miller Peak.  In Ramsey Canyon big sawtooth is noticeable.

From Tucson drive 21 miles east on I-10 to AZ Hwy. 83, then 17 miles south through Sonoita to Forest Road (FR) 799. Take FR 799 to FR 58. Follow FR 58 west to FR 49, then continue north on this road to Patagonia and back to Sonoita on AZ Hwy. 82.

Kaibab National Forest

Prescott National Forest

Other scenic drives on the forest that are likely to please this week include: Cherry Road, Perkinsville Road, Groom Creek, and Dugas Road.

Tonto National Forest

Recommended drives and hikes on the Payson Ranger District:

The cottonwoods, sycamores and willows along the East Verde River, Tonto Creek and Christopher Creek have completed their color change and have lost 30-40 percent of their leaves. There are pockets of alders along the creeks that are just starting to change colors.

The East Verde River: take Hwy. 87 north through Payson, turn right on Forest Road (FR) 199 (Houston Mesa Rd). After seven miles the road begins to follow the river. Turn left on Control Rd (FR 64), then turn right on FR 32. After two miles the road begins to follow the river again, continue on FR 32 to the Washington Park Trailhead.

Tonto Creek: from Payson go east on Hwy. 260 for 16 miles. Just past mile marker 269 turn left on FR 289. This road follows Tonto Creek for four miles and ends at the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery.

Christopher Creek: from Payson go east on Hwy. 260 for 19 miles, turn left on FR 284 and follow it to See Canyon Trailhead.

Recommended hiking routes include: The Col. Devin Trail #290 from the Washington Park Trailhead, Horton Creek Trail #285 from the Horton trailhead on Tonto Creek Rd. (FR 289), and See Canyon Trail #184 from the See Canyon trailhead.

Recommended drives and hikes on the Globe Ranger District:

Pinal Mountains: oaks and small pockets of aspens have turned color in the Signal Peak area. Maples and aspens have turned red in the upper reaches of Icehouse and Sixshooter Canyons. Ferndell Spring in upper Sixshooter Canyon is home to our nation’s largest canyon maple tree. It is approximately ¾ mile down Sixshooter Canyon Trail #192 from Upper Pinal Campground. These areas can be accessed from FR 651 adjacent to Pinal and Upper Pinal Campgrounds. Color Change is at its peak and leaves are starting to fall.

From Globe follow Jess Hayes Road to the junction of Icehouse Canyon Road (FR 112) and Sixshooter Canyon Road (FR 222). Continue on FR 112 for 2 ¼ miles to the junction of FR 55 and FR 112. Take the right fork and continue for 2 ¼ miles on FR 55 then turn left on FR 651. Proceed 10 miles on FR 651 to the Pinal Campground area.

Recommended hiking routes include: Icehouse Canyon Trail #198 from FR 651 adjacent to the Pinal Campground, and the Sixshooter Canyon Trail #192 from FR 651 adjacent to the Upper Pinal Campground.

Recommended drives on the Cave Creek Ranger District:

Seven Springs Area: sycamore, cottonwood, and willow trees in this riparian area are estimated at 100 percent color change. From Scottsdale go north on Pima Road and turn right on Cave Creek Road, which turns into FR 24. Continue north on FR 24 for 18 miles to the Seven Springs Area. For a nice hike take Cave Creek Trail #4 from the Cave Creek Trailhead.

Please contact the ranger district of the area you plan to visit for current road conditions and other updates.  Visit the Tonto National Forest Website for contact information.

Cave Creek Ranger District, 40202 N. Cave Creek Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85262, 480-595-3300

Globe Ranger District, 7680 S. Six Shooter Canyon Rd., Globe, Arizona 85501, 928-402-6200

Payson Ranger District, 1009 E. Hwy 260, Payson, Arizona 85541, 928-474-7900

Pleasant Valley Ranger District, P.O. Box 450, FR 63, Young, Arizona 85554, 928-462-4300

Carson National Forest

Cibola National Forest

Gila National Forest

Lincoln National Forest

Santa Fe National Forest