Where to go in the high country? (Phoenix, Gilbert: military, trip)

[azcater]

I'd like to do a day trip on Saturday and drive up to the mountains, but I have no idea where to go or what to see... we live in Gilbert, so I'm thinking we'll just drive up Beeline to Payson (or further), but can you give me some ideas of where specifically to head? We'll have our 2 year old with us.

Any suggestions on a great place to eat would be helpful also.. thanks!!

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by azcater

I'd like to do a day trip on Saturday and drive up to the mountains, but I have no idea where to go or what to see... we live in Gilbert, so I'm thinking we'll just drive up Beeline to Payson (or further), but can you give me some ideas of where specifically to head? We'll have our 2 year old with us.

Any suggestions on a great place to eat would be helpful also.. thanks!!

When you get to Payson keep on going, Payson is not "high" country. Turn right at the big intersection if you like crowds and go straight if you want a little more elbow room. I'd go straight. You cross over the East Fork of the Verde just north of Payson and can stop there and play in the stream if you like or keep going north toward Pine. Stop in Pine and poke around in the stores if you like. You are not going to find any great eating there - burgers and such mostly. Leave Pine and drive up to the top of the Rim till you see FR300 (aka the Rim Road). You are at about 7000 feet in the Douglas fir. Drive down that a ways (its a washboard so keep the speed down) and enjoy. If you can stand the bumpy road, follow signs to Knoll Lake. It's one of the prettiest places in the state. There's no food, water, gas or anything else after you leave Pine/Strawberry so stock up on the snacks there if you want them.

[Monster Daddy]

Going east of Payson up to the Mogollan Rim country isn't very crowded nowadays with the kids in school. Very pretty views at the top of the Rim if you head to Woods Canyon Lake which happens to be the most paved/developed park there with a little marketplace for supplies and a boat rental. There are paved and unpaved trails and deer/elk are not uncommon sights within the developed areas of the park.

I was there this weekend and it was very comfortable and we managed to avoid getting any rain. You would want to bring an extra set of long-sleeve clothing, it feels cold to many Phoenix residents.

For someone unfamiliar with high country, Woods Canyon is a good starter site. Then you can gauge how rugged you want your experience to be, hehe. Nothing ruins people's high country experiences/expectations than getting into something far outside your comfort zone.

[azcater]

This is exactly the type of information I needed, thanks Ponderosa and Monster Daddy. Now I can look up some info on these places and see how rugged we want to get. :-) I've got a 08 matrix that I'm not sure I'm ready to go off roading too much in. LOL!

I think maybe we'll just pack a picnic lunch instead of eating at a restaurant.

Keep the info coming.. I'm open to any and all ideas. We did do the tonto bridge area a long time ago and that was really neat, but looking to do something different this time.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Monster Daddy

Going east of Payson up to the Mogollan Rim country isn't very crowded nowadays with the kids in school. Very pretty views at the top of the Rim if you head to Woods Canyon Lake which happens to be the most paved/developed park there with a little marketplace for supplies and a boat rental. There are paved and unpaved trails and deer/elk are not uncommon sights within the developed areas of the park.

I was there this weekend and it was very comfortable and we managed to avoid getting any rain. You would want to bring an extra set of long-sleeve clothing, it feels cold to many Phoenix residents.

For someone unfamiliar with high country, Woods Canyon is a good starter site. Then you can gauge how rugged you want your experience to be, hehe. Nothing ruins people's high country experiences/expectations than getting into something far outside your comfort zone.

Excellent advice! I agree with you. For me, getting away from people is a major goal, but Woods Canyon, Christopher Creek, etc. is a better choice for first timers to get a taste of the Rim.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by azcater

I think maybe we'll just pack a picnic lunch instead of eating at a restaurant.

Now you're talking!

[azcater]

Ok, I just talked to hubbie and he was saying why not go to Flagstaff (we've never been).. I was thinking it would be a long drive to just do a day trip to Flagstaff, what do you think? Is it just as long as driving to some of the lakes in the high country?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by azcater

Ok, I just talked to hubbie and he was saying why not go to Flagstaff (we've never been).. I was thinking it would be a long drive to just do a day trip to Flagstaff, what do you think? Is it just as long as driving to some of the lakes in the high country?

It's probably close timewise. You can go 75mph pretty much the whole trip. The forest is best just south of Flag. You could easily visit the AZ Snowbowl too. You can ride the lift up to 11,500 feet. It's an awesome experience. Follow the signs toward Grand Canyon and turn at the snowbowl entrance just NW of Flagstaff.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

When you get to Payson keep on going, Payson is not "high" country. Turn right at the big intersection if you like crowds and go straight if you want a little more elbow room. I'd go straight. You cross over the East Fork of the Verde just north of Payson and can stop there and play in the stream if you like or keep going north toward Pine. Stop in Pine and poke around in the stores if you like. You are not going to find any great eating there - burgers and such mostly. Leave Pine and drive up to the top of the Rim till you see FR300 (aka the Rim Road). You are at about 7000 feet in the Douglas fir. Drive down that a ways (its a washboard so keep the speed down) and enjoy. If you can stand the bumpy road, follow signs to Knoll Lake. It's one of the prettiest places in the state. There's no food, water, gas or anything else after you leave Pine/Strawberry so stock up on the snacks there if you want them.

Ponderosa,
You had suggested Greer for us, which we absolutely LOVED!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!! After having seen Greer, would we be impressed with the area you mention above? I need to cool off again (it has been 2 weeks)

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by military spouse

Ponderosa,
You had suggested Greer for us, which we absolutely LOVED!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!! After having seen Greer, would we be impressed with the area you mention above? I need to cool off again (it has been 2 weeks)

Oh, I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed Greer. I think most people do. It has that combination of romance and rustic that is so wonderful.

No, I don't think a trip to the rim country trumps Greer. It's a great place to camp for a weekend (got a tent and equipment) and enjoy the cool air. The drive along FR 300 is rough (the road is wide and good for the most part but the traffic and monsoon beats it up) and the views you get from the edge of the Rim are just spectacular. You can camp anywhere you feel like pretty much. There are a number of road running north off of FR300 where you can get into some very dense Douglas Fir stands. Coming from Goodyear, you should go up I-17 to SR 260 (Gen Crook trail) and take that to the junction of SR 87. Make a left. The rim road is a couple miles to the north. The other direction is Pine/Strawberry. Take note of the road just past Camp Verde going to Fossil Creek. This is a must trip for you someday too. Hiking, waterfalls and pools to swim in. Really cool. There are millions upon millions of acres of forest you can enjoy all around there, but not a lot of action.

I also really like the suggestion above that first time rim visitors go via Woods Canyon. It's more "civilized" but has a lot to offer. You can take the Rim Road from Woods Canyon all the way to SR87, but it's a long haul.

Another nice day trip is Crown King. Take I-17 to the Bumblebee exit and keep on going till you get there. Great views going up and down the hill and Crown King sort of jumps out at you when you get there. There are a couple of bars in Crown King (one historical )and past the town there are a lot of nice places to camp. There is a small lake/pond called Horsethief Lake that is really pretty to sit beside and contemplate what a beautiful state we live in if we just learn how to get the he$$ out of Phoenix once in a while.