big man tips

ROGERS TRAIL Rogers Lake Natural Area Southwest of Flagstaff, two recreation areas with divergent personalities are now linked.   The recently completed 5.4-mile Rogers Trail tethers the event-centric, party atmosphere of Fort Tuthill County Park with the subdued wilds of Rogers Lake Natural Area. Switchbacks on Rogers Trail The non-motorized, flowy trail that straddles the open space between the two Coconino County properties has several access points and many opportunities to create short day hikes, long loops or car shuttle excursions.   A bee harvests nectar from Butter and Eggs One convenient out-and-back circuit begins at a trailhead on Forest Road 532.   From the roomy dirt parking lot, pick up the Flagstaff Loop Trail heading west and follow it 0.9-mile to the beginning of Rogers Trail.   Roughly paralleling Woody Mountain Road, the meandering, single track holds steady at around 7100 feet, sweeping easily through wildflower meadows, and shady glens.   T...

PIVOT ROCK CANYON & WILDCAT SPRING Iconic Pivot Rock is the hike's keystone. Lodged between the epic wilderness areas of West Clear Creek and Fossil Creek, the woodlands around Pivot Rock Canyon provide a quiet transition between the two recreational juggernauts.   Although it lacks the deep gorges, waterfalls and hiking challenge of its surrounding destinations, the unassuming little space on the Mogollon Rim holds fascinations of its own.   Limestone slabs in Pivot Rock Canyon Easily accessible off State Route 87 just south of the community of Clints Well, the area can be explored using a 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps campsite as a base. From the no-frills dirt clearing, two short treks with distinct flavors head out in opposite directions.   Butterflies congregate near the springs. The woodsy, informal routes located just outside of the wilderness boundaries use abandoned roads and footpaths to explore an array of human artifacts and bizarre geology. Often ...

SOUTH FORK TRAIL Willows hug the So. Fork of the Little Colorado River At the point on the South Fork Trail #97 where the route crosses a creek and begins its grueling climb, I was jolted to a stop by screams that sounded like an injured dog.   In a flash, a herd of elk bolted across the trail just yards ahead of me.   Five females in tandem, then a lone male.   Eden meets Hell. They scrambled up a knoll following the cries of a distressed calf.   The adults circled the young one who continued to wail from its high perch. Two more elk burst from the creek, stopping briefly to stare me down before they charged up to meet the herd, round up the calf and bolt into the back county.   They gave me a thrill and I reciprocated with exactly what they needed--their space.   Encounters like this one are common on the White Mountains trails of northeastern Arizona. Wild roses bloom through August. Before venturing out into the forests, hikers should be aware of common...

LAVA�S EDGE TRAIL Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Sunset Crater seen from Lava's Edge Trail Volcanoes are one of earth�s most powerful and mesmerizing geological features.   Simultaneously beautiful and terrifying, t hey can hibernate for years before rumbling back to life spewing fiery ash clouds and fountains of molten rock that create indescribable paths of destruction.   Recent eruptions of Hawaii�s Kilauea and Guatemala�s Fuego volcanoes remind us of the landscape-altering forces inherent in these natural phenomena. O'Leary Peak lava dome towers over the Bonito Lava Flow Although Arizona is more commonly associated with saguaro-studded deserts, gaping chasms and red rock formations, much of the state�s landscape is a product of volcanism.   The San Francisco Volcanic Field north of Flagstaff is home to more than 600 extinct volcanoes that sprawl over the edge of the Colorado Plateau from Williams to the Little Colorado River.   Many familiar hiking trai...

BUTTE CREEK TRAIL Butte Creek Bridge at Stricklin Park Besides packing the usual gear and water, hikers on Prescott�s Butte Creek Trail #321 should be prepared to duck.   That�s because the 1.6-mile city-managed section of the route passes through the private Hassayampa Golf Club.   Part of the trail goes through a private golf community  This pleasantly diverse pathway that skirts manicured greens and glass-faced homes with wrap-around balconies provides alternative access to the Thumb Butte Area in Prescott National Forest.   The trail begins at Stricklin Park where a bridge embellished with whimsical dragonfly sculptures crosses Butte Creek.   Fragrant cliffrose Even in drier years like this one, the creek corridor is alive with greenery. Canyon grapes thrive near the creek Massive Fremont cottonwood trees sway above a meandering strip of willows, oaks, wild roses, reeds, Canyon grape vines and boxelders.   The well-marked trail wanders through a shady, ...