Find A Trail. Start Your Search Here:

Saturday, December 10, 2011

HIKING FALL COLOR IN DECEMBER

HIKING FALL COLOR IN DECEMBER
December 7, 2011

Suspension bridge over Queen Creek
Color on December 7, 2011
Entering the Suspension Bridge, Dec. 7, 2011
If you missed the fall hiking season in northern Arizona his year, a second chance to view autumnal color has arrived in the deserts, and just in time to treat my visiting cousins from Connecticut (where fall foliage was ruined by a severe, October snow storm this year) to a beautiful hike under canopies of tawny leaves.  Our first stop was Boyce Thompson Arboretum where the annual fall festival, staring the famous Chinese pistachio trees, is in full swing this week.  Take the scenic High Trail, which is accessed via a wood suspension bridge and follows a ridge above Queen Creek for the best views of the vivid amber sycamore, blood-red pistachio and lemony cottonwood trees.
LENGTH:  up to 4 miles, maps available online and at the park
RATING:  easy
ELEVATION: 2,400’-2,600’
View from the High Trail

GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, go east on US 60 to the signed turn off for the park located just outside the town of Superior. 
FEES:  $9 per adult, $4.50 for kids 5-12 and FREE for kids under age 4 and under.
HOURS:  Sept. – April: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., May – Aug. 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DOGS: leashed dog are permitted. Bring poo bags.
INFO:  (520) 689-2811, http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/

No comments: