Coconino National Forest reports
Color is just beginning to dust the north side of the San Francisco Peaks. Typically around Flagstaff and the Mogollon Rim, the first strong color shows up in late September, and colors peak the first two weeks of October. West Fork and Oak Creek Canyon typically peak around the third week of October. Sedona and the Verde Valley don’t typically turn until the end of October and into November. This page will be filled out and updated regularly as we get information and the season progresses.
Best Bets
The following recreation opportunities are the best bets for fall color for the weekend of September 30, 2017.
- Around the Peaks Scenic Drive: particularly Hart Prairie Road (FR 151) and the western end of FR 418.
- Arizona Snowbowl
- FR 794 scenic drive
- Kachina Trail
- Weatherford Trail
- Aspen Loop, Bismarck Lake, and AZT-34
- Houston Brothers Trail: color peaked over the weekend of October 7 and probably won’t last until the weekend.
Notes on Lockett Meadow and Inner Basin Trail
- Inner Basin and Lockett Meadow: Lockett Meadow and Inner Basin Trail are past peak and most trees have dropped their leaves.
Flagstaff Ranger District
Updated: October 10, 2017. Note that observations and observation dates below may not match photo. Estimates of color along trails are frequently made from viewpoints, such as Lockett Meadow or FR 418. The most recent trail photos are provided as available, but may be older than viewpoint observations.
Grand Views
These trails and recreation sites offer stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks, Kendrick Peak, and other scenic vistas. The south and western sides of the San Francisco Peaks are showing strong color, starting to drop color in the higher elevations. Kendrick Mountain has peaked and is dropping leaves.
Read more and see photos at Coconino National Forest
Natural History Wanderings 
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