Photo By/ Jorge Quintero
October 01. Arizona, especially the high country, is ablaze with color in the Fall. From late September through December, you can come upon deliciously gorgeous colors. Here are some places where you can walk through this autumn wonderland. Be sure and bring your camera!
Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon
You’ll find fall foliage in Oak Creek Canyon any time between October and December. You’ll need to check with the Visitor’s Center. One of the best places to see the fall foliage is the West Fork Trail but you’ll enjoy fall foliage at the right time throughout Sedona.
Drive: Arizona 89A is a ribbon of twisted pavement that delivers astonishing scenery all year, but especially during autumn, when it turns windshields into gaudy kaleidoscopes.
The road leads north from Sedona, tracing Oak Creek and exposing dramatic panoramas at every turn. As the canyon narrows, cottonwood, velvet ash, Arizona sycamore, alder and willow form a canopy over the road, and bigtooth maples blaze red on the walls. An understory of sumac and a viny tangle of canyon grape and Virginia creeper add more layers of color.
The road climbs 13 miles in a series of steep switchbacks. Stop at Oak Creek Vista to savor the views and browse the booths of Native American vendors. The road continues an additional 14 miles to Flagstaff.
Details: 928-282-4119, www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/oak-creek-scenic.shtml.
Hike: Don’t kid yourself about a peaceful tromp through the woods in the West Fork of the canyon. This is one of the most popular hikes in the state, and for good reason. There’s grand scenery, towering cliffs, Old West history and the constant burble of the creek as you hike. The blazing oaks and maples this time of year just put it over the top.
Plus, the 3-mile (one-way) trail is easy to follow and generally flat, making it fun for hikers of nearly any age or fitness level.
Look for the ruins of the Mayhew Lodge about a quarter-mile from the trailhead. The oldest structure was built by “Bear” Howard, who earned his nickname by killing four bears, supposedly armed with only a knife, in the 1870s.
Access to the West Fork is through the Call of the Canyon day-use area, 10.3 miles north of Sedona on Arizona 89A. This is a small parking area that fills early during peak times, especially on weekends. It officially opens at 9 a.m., but often opens as early at 8. The fee is $9. There is a self-pay system if the host is not there.
Details: 928-282-4119, www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/westfork-tr.shtml.
The Flagstaff and surrounding areas offer a variety of fall colors from late September to early October. Expect to see an abundance of red, orange and yellow leaves. There are Aspen groves and deep canyons.
Drive: Along the western flank of the San Francisco Peaks, Hart Prairie Road (also known as Forest Road 151) winds through high meadows and thick conifer forests interrupted by vast stands of aspens. Go on the right day and every breeze will trigger a cascade of golden leaves, as if it were raining dollops of sunshine. The dirt road can be managed in a passenger car, although it can be bumpy. From downtown Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 about 12 miles northwest to FR151.
Details: 928-526-0866, www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/around-peaks-scenic.shtml.
By Jorge Quintero/ Beautiful Fall foliage in Flagstaff Arizona
Hike: Sheltering 245 acres of this radiant landscape, the Nature Conservancy’s Hart Prairie Preserve isn’t open to the public on a daily basis, but it offers free guided nature walks on Sunday mornings through Oct. 16. To join a walk, meet at 10 a.m. at the Fort Valley Plaza Shopping Center, 1000 N. Humphreys St., at the southwest corner by the guardrail. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, sun protection and rain gear or a jacket. Reservations are not required.
Details: 928-774-8892, ext. 5; www.nature.org.
If you prefer to hoof it on your own, try the Bear Jaw or Abineau trail. The Bear Jaw Trail, an old jeep road, is wide and easy to follow, tracking about 4 miles through boulder-studded stands of aspens. Don’t let its pastoral appearance fool you. At this elevation (it starts at 8,400 feet) you’ll be huffing and puffing. The 2-mile Abineau Trail is narrower, steeper and tougher to navigate, as an avalanche wiped out parts of it in 2005. If you’re super studly, you can make a 7.2-mile loop hike out of the two trails. Pipeline Road (FR 146) connects them at their northern ends.
From downtown Flagstaff, take U.S. 180 west about 18 miles to Forest Road 151. Turn east, go about 2 miles and bear left at FR 418. Continue about 3 miles to FR 9123J. Turn south and go to the well-signed Bear Jaw Trailhead, about a quarter-mile ahead.
Details: 928-526-0866, www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/abineau-bear-jaw-tr.shtml.
Ride: Arizona Snowbowl’s chairlift operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through late October. The landscape changes from mixed-conifer forest to alpine tundra at 11,500 feet. Rangers waiting at the top will explain the science behind the show. One expert thinks this could be a good year.
“Too much late-summer/early fall precipitation can turn the leaves brown or black. And a summer that’s too dry may result in leaves that fall quickly and early,” National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Klimowski said. “But with the summer precipitation in our area being near normal, and a drying trend on the way, this could be a great year for viewing the aspens of northern Arizona.”
Dress warmly. It’s cold at the top. Tickets cost $12, $8 for ages 8-12. Snowbowl season-pass holders ride free, as do those younger than 7 and older than 70. Discounted season passes are available through Oct. 19.
Details: 928-779-1951, www.arizonasnowbowl.com.
Kaibab National Forest
The Kaibab National Forest is one of six national forests in Arizona. Its name comes from the Piute Indian word for “the mountain lying down,” a reference to the high plateau that rises in the southern tier of the forest.
This 1.5 million-acre forest is bisected by the Grand Canyon and features the beautiful North Kaibab high country of pine, spruce and aspen forests and open meadows. The area has striking fall foliage.
There are several mountains, lakes and wilderness areas. Forest wildlife includes the famous North Kaibab deer herd, a wild buffalo herd and the unique Kaibab squirrel.
Hiking, camping, fishing, paddling sports and scenic drives are some of the forest’s outstanding recreation activities.
All terrain vehicles are permittedon forest roads.
There are visitor centers at 200 West Railroad Ave. in Williams and at the Kaibab Plateau in Jacob Lake.
There are a number of scenic drives on the Kaibab National Forest that provide great opportunities for viewing fall colors. Watch carefully as you drive along forest roads; you may catch a glimpse of a Kaibab squirrel amongst the golden aspen, or a flock of wild turkey along a meadow’s edge. The Fall Color Hotline is active from mid -September through mid-November and is updated weekly. Call toll-free: 800-354-4595
FIND OUT MORE
For fall-color updates in the White Mountains, go to www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.
For locations across the Southwest, go to www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors or call 800-354-4595.
To see the conditions near Arizona Snowbowl, go to www.arizonasnowbowl.com.
