Many people flock to the White Mountains in the middle of summer to escape the Phoenix scorching heat. But did you know it’s also a great spot to go in search of glorious fall colors? This White Mountain Fall Color hiking weekend will explore the Escudilla Mountain Wilderness and Blue Range Primitive Areas of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest near Alpine AZ. The 200,000 acre Blue Range Primitive Area is the last remaining primitive area on National Forest land. All of the other original 75 primitive areas have become designated wilderness areas. The Blue Range remains one of Arizona’s untouched and little known jewels. This is a land of rugged mountains, steep canyons, and stark ridges that is at the same time remote and accessible through an extensive trail system. Trails are open to non-motorized and non-mechanized use only within the primitive area. Some are surprised to learn this also means no bicycles!

There are over 200 miles of trails in this area, with elevations ranging from 5,000 feet with a Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem to mixed conifers at 9,000 feet. We will be doing two exploratory hikes, and depending on the graciousness of Mother Nature this year, we hope to see a colorful show from the Aspen, Gambel Oak and Rocky Mountain Maples. There are also fir, spruce and conifers along the way for nice contrast. Some of the wildlife recorded in this area include spotted owls, raptors, coyote, turkey, mule deer, black bear, elk, antelope, many species of fish, and an occasional mountain lion, fox, bobcat or eagle.

AZ 190 / 181, also known as the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, runs along the eastern edge of the Blue Range.

Depends on total number of people attending, but the total cost for the cabin(s) is estimated to be $215-$305 (including tax), so assuming max capacity, that would roughly be $20-$23/night per person, or possibly a little bit higher if we end up at less than capacity. So once we have a final head count, I can get the total and subtract your $25 deposit to determine the balance that you would owe, which you could either mail in or give to me when we meet up for the trip. You will also share cost of gas for your carpool arrangements, and the standard volunteer club donation of $1 for members, $3 for non-members. You’ll need money for Friday’s lunch on the drive out to Alpine, and you may also want to bring a little extra cash if you want to dine out during the weekend, or just bring your food with instead. We’ll do a potluck dinner at least on Saturday, and we could also do potluck on Friday too if we want.

Be sure to bring your sleeping bag, and a mat or air mattress, to give us the most flexibility.

They have one 7 person cabin, and the other cabins can hold up to 4 people each. The 4 person cabins have 2 full beds each, and the 7 person cabin has 1 Queen, 1 full and 1 full sofa bed, so whoever does not get a bed can either sleep in your sleeping bag on a rollaway cot (which they will provide – they have 2 cots total) or on your own mat or air mattress on the floor. Those who do get a bed can just use your sleeping bag in lieu of sheets if you want, but you will want to bring an extra blanket, just in case.

They have a kitchen area in each cabin with full size fridge, dishes, silverware, utensils, pots, pans, microwave, stove, coffee pot, and they have a fire ring, picnic tables and a horseshoe pit outside for afternoon and evening entertainment. This set up should give us the camaraderie of a camping experience, with the beauty of not having to trek outside in the freezing cold in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom! Check in is 3 PM, check out is 11 AM, but we can let them know if we’d like to check in earlier or check out later and they can accommodate our needs if possible.

Maximum currently is 11 people, but if we have enough interest, we would then probably get another cabin and the maximum would then jump up to 15 people.

We currently only have 3 spots left, so once you RSVP that you want to go, I will then give you the address where you can send your $25 deposit check. The first 3 people whose checks I receive will be guaranteed a spot on the trip. After that point I will start a waiting list, so that in the event we get enough people, we could feasibly rent an extra cabin.

We’ll leave at 9 AM on Friday morning, September 24th. We will work out carpooling arrangements once we get a more definite list of who is coming.

These will be exploratory hikes, as I have not done any of them before, but these are 2 of the hikes listed in the “Best AZ Autumn Color” book, so if this year is a typical season, we should be there at peak fall color time!

Escudilla National Recreation Trail – 6 miles round trip, 1,315 ft. elev. change, from 9,560-10,875 ft. In Spanish, Escudilla means "Wide Bowl". There is a fire lookout tower at the top which will hopefully be open for us to get great panoramic views. Escudilla Mountain, at 10,912 ft., is the third highest mountain in Arizona.

North Fork KP Trail – 5 miles round trip, 1600’ elev. change, from 9200-7600 ft. This hike leads to one of the most scenic areas in the Blue Primitive Area, the confluence of the north and south forks of KP Creek, and features a 10 foot waterfall.

And there are many more trails in this area! … We won’t have time to do more trails, but it does mean if we want to do a trail longer than the above listed trails, we do have options.