Travel Awaits (September 1, 2020) by Cindy Barks

Truthfully, every season is gorgeous in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. In the spring and summer, the banks of babbling creeks erupt with wildflowers, and in the winter, the rugged peaks and sloping meadows are blanketed in sparkling white.

But it is perhaps in autumn that the White Mountains are at their brightest. Interspersed with the mountains’ pine and fir trees are lovely stands of white-barked aspens and thickets of Gambel oaks.

In late September and early October, the changing colors of the aspens and oaks alternate with the evergreen pines, creating a striking green-and-gold patchwork landscape.

Fall is also a time of glorious weather in Arizona’s high country. Owing to its altitudes that soar to the 6,500-to-9,000-foot-plus range, the White Mountains are always considerably cooler than the lowland deserts of the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Average high temperatures in White Mountain communities such as Greer and Show Low are in the 70s and 80s in the summer and in the 60s and 70s in the fall. Prime leaf-peeping typically occurs during the first three weeks of October. The September shoulder season, although it might be too early to see the full range of fall colors, is still a wonderful time to visit the White Mountains.

Hike A Section Of The Arizona Trail

The Arizona Trail stretches for 800 miles across the state from Utah to Mexico, linking the diverse terrain of deserts, canyons, and mountains.

While adventurous hikers regularly complete the entire daunting trail over weeks, months, or years, day hikers can get a taste of the trail from the Pine Loop Trailhead located in the small community of Pine. The loop, which includes a portion of the Arizona Trail, is a 2.8-mile round trip and is rated as easy.

Try A Local Beer In Pine

Located less than 2 hours from Phoenix but a cool 4,000 feet higher, the little town of Pine and its sister town of Strawberry are popular day-trip destinations for residents of the Valley of the Sun metropolitan area.

Many quaint breweries and eateries cater to the summer and fall crowds. Among the best known is THAT Brewery, located along Pine’s main artery of Highway 87. On a warm fall day, try to get a seat on the brewery’s patio, surrounded by towering pine trees. On the brewery menu are local beers such as the Arizona Trail Ale and Fossil Creek IPA. And on the pub menu are specialties such as an Arizona dip sandwich featuring prime rib on Texas toast and a smoked pulled chicken sandwich.

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