Wednesday we drove towards the Arizona Snow Bowl on Mount Humphreys. About 2/3 of the way up to the Snow Bowl is the Aspen Curve, a very popular spot for hiking - my best guess is that it is somewhere around 9,000 feet elevation. The name comes from the 90 degree turn in the road and the large number of aspen trees, all of which are turning color now. It is nothing like what we saw around our former home in Vermont, but it is still very pretty. This is the view from where we (and many other visitors) parked.
From the parking area, it is less than a half mile to the Arizona Trail, where we turned north and headed out into Hart Meadow (where the US Forest Service is trying to bring back the Meadow). About halfway across the meadow, we took pictures, some looking northeast toward the ski area and some looking southwest across the meadow.
Then we headed out on the Aspen Loop - as we approached a large stand of aspens, the views were colorful.
For about a quarter of a mile, the trail took us through the aspen grove.
We met hikers, joggers, mountain bikers and even people on horseback - everyone was enjoying the beautiful views and weather.
After we exited the aspen grove, we were in an open field but west and north there were many more groves of aspens.
I am not sure what they were, as we did not get close enough to identify them - but some of the trees had orange leaves. Perhaps they were Gambel oak.
Near the end of our hike, Patty found a "Charlie Brown" style Christmas tree - it appeared that much of the lower bark and branches had been removed by deer or elk.
It was a great day for a hike and to see the fall foliage.
Great Mountain and Fall color images, Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJoan McD
Wow! Loved every picture! Thank you..
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