Foliage color change in AZ? (Phoenix, Mesa: home, campgrounds, live)

[aiwei]

I am wondering if I want to see Fall foliage color change, where in AZ should I go to see it? I am guessing maybe Flagstaff. Any suggestion of a place more specific?

[drb85650]

There are some Aspen groves between Flag and the canyon, but very little. Any true color change will require a several hour drive to see and that will not be anything outstanding imo. As a 19 year Phx resident I always counted the trees along the Bridle path(Central avenue,Bethany to Northern)as close as we'd get to "fall foilage". Now I live and work in Sierra Vista/historic Fort Huachuca, altitude is 5,095 feet at my worksite. We have color change....green to yellow. But at least there are leaves on the ground, blowing thru the winds from Huachuca Canyon. Wild Turkeys meander the creek that runs by our buildings, yesterday 14 head of deer took their time crossing the road nearby, the squirrels are nesting down and we find Great Horned Owl droppings in the mornings by our materials sheds. That's about all their is to fall in AZ far as I'm concerned.

[Ponderosa]

OK. I have been holding on to this because I don't want to see you there, but the best place in AZ, bar none, for foliage is Highway 666 (has a new number) from Alpine area down toward Morenci (roughly). This is an area of AZ with a lot of maple trees - the ones that turn a fiery red - mixed with oak. They hang over a twisting, turning highway with gorgeous views. It's even better if you take the back road to Hannigan Meadow from Big Lake where you get to see the aspen too. There's stunning aspen groves of color in the Escudilla wilderness area too (near Alpine) that you can see from the roads or walking on the trails. A lot of the color in the oaks got wiped out by the big freeze a couple weeks back and the aspens are past peak by now for sure. But you may still have time to catch the maples along the Devils Highway. It's a long drive and there are virtually no tourist stops, so its not for citified looking for a shopping with a view experience ala Sedona.

(Caveat: There is a huge maple back in the woods on SR 87 right near FR 300 on the rim. It was resplendent a couple weeks back but has now faded a lot, so maybe maples are fading too now and its too late).

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

OK. I have been holding on to this because I don't want to see you there, but the best place in AZ, bar none, for foliage is Highway 666 (has a new number) from Alpine area down toward Morenci (roughly). This is an area of AZ with a lot of maple trees - the ones that turn a fiery red - mixed with oak. They hang over a twisting, turning highway with gorgeous views. It's even better if you take the back road to Hannigan Meadow from Big Lake where you get to see the aspen too. There's stunning aspen groves of color in the Escudilla wilderness area too (near Alpine) that you can see from the roads or walking on the trails. A lot of the color in the oaks got wiped out by the big freeze a couple weeks back and the aspens are past peak by now for sure. But you may still have time to catch the maples along the Devils Highway. It's a long drive and there are virtually no tourist stops, so its not for citified looking for a shopping with a view experience ala Sedona.

(Caveat: There is a huge maple back in the woods on SR 87 right near FR 300 on the rim. It was resplendent a couple weeks back but has now faded a lot, so maybe maples are fading too now and its too late).

Thanks to Pondersa's suggestion to us a few months ago, we have been up to Greer, Hannagan Meadow, and Big Lake several times in the past few months. Most recently, we were at Hannagan Meadow (2nd week of Oct.) and the Aspens were a wonderful shade of yellow. It was quite beautiful. Different than what one would see on the East Coast d/t lack of Maple Trees, but definately cool weather and brilliant foliage. We love it up there.

[rick vincent]

Several hour drive to see fall color??? Nonsense! Time it right and you can see amazing fall color in the Pinal mountains just south of Globe. This year peaked in late October. The maples, oak and aspen were stunning. You also get to hike through an impressive forest of Manzanita. All this just 75 minutes from my home in East Mesa.

[KarmaPhx]

I am not sure what type of trees they are, but I was just near seven springs and it was very colorful in terms of foliage out there.

[Arizona Mike]

There's a side street in the ChrisTown area of Phoenix that is full of trees that change foliage in the autumn. I lucked into it by chance. I'll see if I can find it unless someone else knows where it is.

[cmist]

I thought I remembered seeing a small area on the backroad between Flag & Sedona. There were some campgrounds and bridges going over what was probably Oak Creek. Maybe the 89A? Not sure though.

Its true though what Karma said about Seven Springs up north of Cave Creek. I was really surprised at the temperature difference and leafy trees changing colors so close to the outskirts of Cave Creek or Carefree whichever that is up there.

[twiggy]

There is a small patch on the way out of town to Payson. A little creek too, but you can wiz by it in one minute. Does anyone know if that area has a name?

[miamiman]

Go to Prescott. There are a lot of trees that change up in that area. However, they're probably past peak now.

We also do have a select few species of trees that are changing color right here in the Valley.