Arizona

Just north of Flagstaff, Arizona is a majestic mountain range called the San Francisco Peaks. This range was formed from volcanic rock. It is the focal point of the area and can be seen for miles around. The mountain’s elevation is one of the highest in the state. While Flagstaff is 7,000 feet above sea level, the San Francisco Peaks range measures 13,000 feet above sea level. Many of the Native American Indian tribes consider this mountainous area to be sacred. This range is located in Coconino County. The area is wooded with Alpine, Douglas fir, Aspen, Ponderosa pine, juniper and similar trees, forest plant life and grasslands. The mountain offers skiing and hiking opportunities to the local people as well as the tourists. Wildlife is abundant in the forest. You may see elk, deer, bears, wild turkeys, porcupines, racoons and a beautiful variety of birds. This scenic mountain is the foundation of the area’s tourism industry.

Celebrate the seasons in the scenic White Mountains of Arizona, one of the state’s best getaways. The White Mountains of Arizona is a mountain range in the northeastern part of the state. It is approximately 225 miles from Phoenix. Many Phoenix and Tucson residents escape the heat of the desert and urban living by vacationing in the White Mountains. Rim Country and the White Mountains of Arizona are mountain lifestyle living. You will feel more relaxed in the tall pines and cooler temperatures. Deer, elk. black bear and lots of other wildlife, including wild turkeys can be seen in this area. There are charming cabins available to rent and they are the perfect summer getaway.

The slopes at nearby Sunrise has one of Arizona’s largest ski resorts. In the winter you can try cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. Arizona residents can apply for a permit from the U.S. Forest Service to cut their own Christmas tree in mountains. Pinetop, Lakeside, Eager, Greer, Springerville, Show Low, and Snowflake are just a few of the towns located in the White Mountains. The White Mountains stretches from Payson’s Rim Country through Show Low and points beyond. Campsites, lodges and rental cabins ensure that almost anyone can enjoy the White Mountains. You can hike along mountains streams under the Ponderosa pines. You can fish one of the areas 65 lakes. Many cabin owners have opened their vacation retreats to anyone interested in renting them. If you are looking for natural beauty and something to do during any time of the year, plan a trip to the White Mountains.

Kitt Peak National Observatory is an astronomical research observatory located about 56 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona. It was founded in 1958. The Kitt Peak Observatory claims to hold the largest collection of research telescopes in the world. It remains the premier observatory of the southwest, and one of the best in the Northern Hemisphere. It is located on the Tohono Oodham Indian Reservation outside of Tucson, Arizona. Drive time from Tucson is about 90 minutes. The observatory is located on the 6,875-foot summit and the drive up the mountain is about a 12 mile distance with lots of pullouts to view and photograph the scenery of the Sonoran Desert. Kitt Peak is easily visible from Tucson and from various vantage points including the many mountaintops in southern Arizona.

You can bring a picnic lunch as there is a picnic area, but snacks and beverages are for sale at visitor center. Be sure to fill up on gas before you leave Tucson as the closest gas facility is 16 miles from the Kitt Peak Observatory. Some people prefer bringing a jacket or sweater as the mountain top is breezy and cooler than the desert.

Kitt Peak offers guided tours. They are open daily except holidays and more tourist information is available. There is a nightly observation program for only a limited number of people. An advance reservation from 2 to 4 weeks are suggested. There is a fee for this program. You can view live cam shots.

You can take a hike up Picacho Peak Mountain in the cool springtime in Arizona. Winter visitors love this area. Remember to bring your photo equipment whether it be your digital camera or your movie cam. I always wear hiking boots or good walking shoes when I hike this mountain trail. There is a small mountain trail you can take the kids on if you think the main hike is too much for them. There are also trails that weave in and out around the south side of the mountain with wooden markers with pictures of wildlife.

In the spring in Arizona the native plants, such as palo verde, ocotillo, creosote, and mesquite start to bloom. If there is abundant rain in the Sonoran desert, the desert wildflowers and blooming cacti will be at their peak during May and June. Purple lupine, baby golden sunflowers and poppies can be found everywhere. The California poppy is the state flower of California. I have seen it in shades of white, yellow and bright orange. It is self seeding as is the African daisy which also blooms in Arizona. In a good year, desert wildflowers are in abundance a short drive from Phoenix and Tucson. These lavish desert wildflowers are a treasure to look forward to year after year. After the rains the mesquite, acacia, and palo verde trees and the prickly pear and cholla cacti have all added significant growth. The desert is not aways lush and green, in the summers they are quite uninviting.

Planting desert wildflowers is also a good way to attract native birds and butterflies to your yard. You’ll see cactus wrens, finches, wrens and roadrunners at Picacho Peak, along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson, is a popular destination for those looking for desert wildflowers in the spring. The Arizona State Parks encourages visitors to call ahead to check on which parks have wildflowers blooming. Wildflowers often attract birds and other wildlife, perhaps you might even spot a javelina.

Did you know that Picacho Peak State Park in Pinal County, Arizona and the surrounding areas are in danger of become an industrialized area?  Soon thousands of visitors will no longer see the beauty and enjoy the natural landscape that the park offers.  Rumor has it that there is a move to allow Union Pacific to build a railroad yard at the foot of Picacho Peak stretching for 6 miles along I-10.  This addition would be opposite the park off  the interstate.  This yard will more than likely destroy the natural environment and future economic development of Picacho Peak State park area as well as bring pollutants into the area.Union Pacific wants to use this area for a switching yard, but one wonders if the the real intention is for a sorting yard for cargo containers before they are to be shipped to other parts of the country. The Federal goverment regulates railroads so there is little residents can do in to stop this.   Arizona is in the process of passing a bill to see what can be done about this.

Picacho Peak is a prominent mountain about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson in Pinal County, Arizona.  Picacho Peak is the site of the only Civil War battle in Arizona.  In the spring there is a reinactment of the Civil War  at the peak.  Picacho Peak can be seen for miles in all directions and has been an important landmark since the first settlers arrived and still is for interstate 10 travelers. 

Picacho Peak is known for its beautiful, spring wildflowers in bloom  in April and early May following  seasonal winter rains.   California poppies, lupine, African daises, desert mallow, blooming cacti blanket the mountainside.   Many years when their is little rain, the flowers fail blossom.

Picacho Peak State Park  does charge a small entrance fee.  Hiking still tops the list of fun thins to do at Picacho Peak.  There is also overnight camping available.   Five different hiking trails are available at Picacho Peak State Park, both to day visitors, as well as overnight campers.  The hike up this central Arizona landmark is short but strenuous.  There are spectacular  views when you look out over the desert.   You can see the trains and cars passing by from the front top of the mountain.

Hikers should take plenty of water with them as hikers have died from dehydration while hiking at the park in the summer months.  It would be a good idea to let the ranger know your hiking plans if you intend to hike the peak.  Watch out for rattle snakes.  They usually are more active in the summer months.  At the park, there are lots of picnic areas and covered ramadas for your enjoyment.  Arizona’s weather is wonderful in November and we usually picnic at the peak on Thanksgiving and then hike up the mountain.  The covered ramadas can be reserved.  Some are equipped with electrical outlets and most have bbq areas.

Mt Lemmon is the closest place Tucsonans can go to experience the change in seasons.  Mt. Lemmon, about 25 miles north of  Tucson,  is one the most popular getaways for Tucsonans and visitors alike.  This fantastic mountain is about 9,000 feet above sea level and is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains.   The Santa Catalina Mountains is home to the southernmost ski area in the United States.  Mt. Lemmon is located about 25 miles northeastern  of Tucson, Arizona  and is  located in Pima County. 

While traveling to Mt. Lemmon, you will be driving on a steep, scenic, winding mountain road call the Catalina Highway.  There are many unusual rock formations and scenic view points to stop at along this highway.   There are pulloffs along the road so you can stop and take pictures or view the scenary with your binoculars.  The area is almost all  pine forest with Ponderosa Pine, Aspen Trees, Jojoba trees, Yucca  among the vegetation.  In fact, the Coronado National Forest is especially rich in its diversity of fauna and flora.

From Tucson it will take about one hour to reach this magnificient mountain get away.  Tucsonans use this convenient mountain retreat to escape the 100 plus degrees of the desert during the summer months.  Visitors to this forest area can hike, backpack, camp and picnic during the summer months.  The mountains are year-round playgrounds for outdoor recreation, from hiking and mountain biking, skiing and some of the best bird-watching. 

Mt. Lemmon is in a national forest  so there is a minimal fee of about $5 per car for entry.  Near the top of the mountian is Summerhaven, a small community area which has quaint shops, coffee shops, freshly baked pies and cabins to rent.  Don’t forget to take a ride on the ski lift.  The lift is located just north of Summerhaven and is usually open year round.  

I would suggest you wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, take along a picnic or stop for coffee and pie at Summerhaven.  Be sure to bring along your camera and a pair of binoculars.  Since temperatures are so different from start and end of your mountain venture, you might need to bring along a sweater or jacket.    Be sure to fuel up before you go as there are no gas stations on the mountain.