Arizona Travel Destinations

Arizona Sunset

After soaking up the beauty of the idyllic Walnut Spring, then reaching the top of a mountain where I took a lunch break, I began descending a steep and almost imperceptible section of trail. Without cairns marking the way, I would have been lost.

At the bottom, I found myself in a deep, narrow slot: The Tule Canyon. I crossed the canyon and struggled mightily to climb back out. Then, reaching the lip of the canyon, we had in front of us still another grass covered-mountain, with a trail at the top. I was starting to wonder if this route would ever level out.

Finally, at the top of this hill, Two Bar Ridge, I stood and stared for several minutes, saying nothing, just drinking in the scene. I could see Apache Lake to the west and Roosevelt Lake to the north. All around, the Superstitions were various hues of blue, green and black highlighted against the sky, a deep blue and scattered with large white and gray clouds.

Seeing the lakes raised my spirits. The trail wound along the top of the ridge for a couple of miles, then dropped down, bringing me into intimate contact with a bounty of beaver-tail cactus. The trail became rocky and difficult.

I made camp on a clear flat of land that offered the pure Arizona scenery of black sky and bright stars.

The next morning, I started on a particular rough patch of road. Having not taking into account that my feet would be pounded by the rocky trail or that FR 83 is in a designated wilderness area and is not maintained.

But, I pressed on as the views be-came an expanse of panoramic sights that literally stirred the desire to see more.

The road led downhill for a long mile. This was the hardest part of the trek. At last, I arrived at Cottonwood Springs, a beautiful tree-filled glen with a clear running creek.

I moved on following a trail as it climbed out of the creek bed and through a cool, grassy area hemmed by mesquite trees. It would prove the most pleasant portion of the walk, if only for my aching feet.

Several hundred yards later, I found myself in a narrow canyon dense with saguaro. It was beautiful.

A little farther along, I came to FR 341. It would take me the final leg of my journey. It was along this road that I saw the spectacular view from the Two Bar Ridge, I walked the trail, which is laid parallel with Roosevelt Lake, heading towards Arizona 88.

I was simply exhausted, and greatly satisfied.

Superstition Wilderness offers every type of trail for every type of hiker.

The 160,000-acre Superstition Wilderness holds some of the best hiking in Arizona, with everything from jagged cliffs and deeply shad-owed canyons to rolling pine-covered hills and seasonal creeks. Its 200 miles of interconnecting trails make it easy to plan a hike for every ability.

Easy

There isn’t any gold to find along the Treasure Loop Trail, but you will enjoy a wealth of views. This hike, along the western flanks of the Superstition Mountains, starts at Lost Dutchman State Park and provides close-up views of great rock formations.

Where: Lost Dutchman State Park, north of mile marker 201 on Arizona 88. (Apache Trail)

Length: 2-4- mile loop

Details: 480-982-4485.

Moderate

It is easy to see why the Peralta Trail is the busiest in the wilderness. The hike leads up a hoodoo-lined canyon to Freemont Saddle, where you’ll enjoy views of Weaver’s Needle, a soaring spire named for a 19th-century mountain man. The hike gains about 1,400 feet of elevation.

Where: From Central Phoenix, take Interstate 10 east to U>S> 60 (Superstition Freeway) and go about 33miles east. Just past mile marker 204, turn north onto Peralta Road and go 7.4 miles to the trail-head.

Length: 4.4.-mile round trip Details: 480-610-3300

Difficult:

The loop formed by the Black Mesa Trail and segments of the Dutch-man’s and Second Water trails is bursting with rugged beauty.

Start at the First Water Trailhead and head east. About a quarter mile down the trail is a fork, bear right and follow the Dutchman’s Trail southeast about 4 miles to the Black Mesa Trail, which you take north-west a little more than 2.5 miles. At the junction with Second Water Trails, go south, then west, about 1.5 miles to the Dutchman’s Trail. Bear right and go about a quarter miles to the trailhead.

Where: First Water Trailhead is at the end of Forest Road 78 (First Water Road). FR 78 is a well graded dirt road a quarter-mile past the entrance of Lost Dutchman State Park.

Length: 9mile loop. Details: 480-610-3300

3 Refreshing Getaways

Over many years, Valley residents have developed various strategies for coping with the summer heat.

When you are seeking relief from the triple-digit temperatures nothing beats a trip to a lake. No matter where you live, there is probably one not too far away.

Here are three ideas:

Woods Canyon Lake

You can fish, camp, and hike at this high-country lake, or just set up your hammock near the shore and listen to the music of the wind in the trees. The lake sits at an elevation of 7,600 feet and covers about 52 acres.

The Woods Canyon Lake Nature Trail begins at the Rocky Point Picnic Area, on the southwestern side of the lake, and comes along the shore. Signs along the way identify local vegetation and significant landmarks.

The Arizona Game & Fish Department regularly stocks the lake with fresh rainbow trout.

When: Campgrounds are open from May 1 through September, weather permitting.

Flagstaff: Let’s Get Busy

Flagstaff”s weather provides a perfect opportunity to experience the outdoors of northern Arizona. Average daily highs of 83 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer lend opportunities to hike, explore the landscape and participate in outdoor activities. Inviting scenery includes mountain tops, caves, forests and canyons.

Flagstaff’s hiking trails range from simple graded rides to single-track through mountains, forests and canyons. Trailheads are readily available, accessing easy, intermediate and advanced hikes for appropriate enthusiast. Whether hiking moderate Fat Man’s Loop or the harder Elden Look-out Trail, hikers can witness great Flagstaff scenery.

Built in 1914 and regularly maintained, the 2.4- mile Fat Man’s Loop connects with other trails in the system and is well marked with easy footing. Elden Lookout Trail offers a hard hike that leads to Mt Elden and, thanks to a 1978 forest fire, allows for open spaces and great views. Located just beyond the Flagstaff Mall off route 66/Highway 89, these trails provide hiking opportunities for many skill levels.

Take a sky ride

The Scenic Skyride at Snowball provides cool, awe-inspiring views of the Flagstaff landscape. The approximately 25 minute ride on a chairlift climbs to an elevation of 11,500 feet, providing vistas that stretch more than 70 miles, including downtown Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

Absolute Bikes

Northern Arizona’s best stocked bike shops offer mountain, road and kids’ bike rentals, as well as full service repair and new and used bike sales. At 202 E. Route 66, Flagstaff; 928-779-5969

The Basin, BMX Freestyle

Facility

The basin is the only BMX-exclusive concrete facility in Arizona. Located in Sunnyside is east Flagstaff, the park offers three bowls with a variety of features, graded dirt mounds and rails for the experienced rider. Open daily, and admission is free; at 1700 E. 6th Ave., 928-779-7690, www.flagstaff.az.gov/index.aspx?NID=824

Mormon Lake Lodge

Experience nature and enjoy fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or rent an ATV to explore over 20 miles of forest, lakes and trails within the Coconino National Forest. Gift shop, camping/fishing supplies, fuel and propane, restaurant, arena and buffalo habitat are onsite. For more information, visit www.mormonlakelodge.com or call 928-354-2227.

Ventures with the Museum of Northern Arizona

Discover and explore the Colorado Plateau with experts-scientists, writers, artists and guides on outdoor adventures. Diverse itineraries include hiking, backpacking, river rafting, camping, van tours, lodge based excursions and custom tours for groups and families. Located 3101 N. Fort Valley Rd., 928-774-5213, www.mnaventures.org.

Vertical Relief Climbing Center

Customized rock climbing adventures make your vacation extraordinary with an indoor gym, outside guiding and equipment sales. Open seven days; at 205 S. San Francisco St.; 928-556-9909; www.verticalrelief.com.

3 Refreshing Getaways

From May through October.

Where: From Payson, drive about 30 miles east on Arizona 260, then turn north onto Forest Road 300 and proceed about 4 miles to the lake.

Admissions: $5 day-use fee at the Rocky Point Picnic Area: $14-$20 per night camping fees. For campground reservations, call 1-877-444-6777 or go to recreation.gov.

Details: 928-535-7300 or www.fs.fed.us.r3/ansf/recreation/campground

Parker Canyon Lake

This 130-acre jewel, tucked into the rolling hills about 20 miles southeast of Sonoita and just 7 miles north of Mexico, is ringed with cottonwoods, juniper, pine, scrub oak and manzanita. At an elevation of 5,400 feet, the area generally is about 15 degrees cooler then Phoenix.

The lake holds largemouth bass, catfish and sunfish and is stocked periodically with rainbow trout.

When: Year-round.

Where: From Tucson, take Interstate 10 east about 20 miles to exit 281. Turn south onto Arizona 83 and proceed about 55 miles to the lake.

Admissions: $10 a night to stay at Lakeview Campground and/ or day-use fees; no fees to fish.

Details: 520-378-0311 or www.fs.fed.us./r3/coronado/forest/recreatiom/lakes/ parker_lake.shtml.

Roper Lake:

On the quiet mornings, this 32-acre lake is a sapphire mirror that reflects images of Mount Graham and the mountains to the southwest.

People go to Roper Lake State Park to fish, swim, camp, picnic, watch birds, view wildlife or just relax and take in the scenery. The Island Day Use Area (also known as “the Island”) is a grassy sward ringed with palm and pine trees, ideal for picnics..

Where: From Safford, go south on Arizona 191 5.3 miles to Roper Lake Road. Turne east and go about a half-mile to the park entrance. Safford is reached via U.S. 60 east to Globe, then U.S. 70 south.

Details: 928-428-6760 or azstateparks.com/Parks/ROLA

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