August 4, 2019August 4, 2019 by kritterspaw

Relaxing in the Woods

Travel
az, forest, greens peak, mushrooming, northern az, relaxing in the woods, show low, walk in the woods, woods
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We got out to the woods recently if you saw my post here… https://kritterspix.com/2019/07/18/a-walk-in-the-woods/

But since there are woods all around us up North, we are sharing the load. A recent trip to Greens Peak outside of Show Low highlighted a much different environment.

This forest is a bit higher elevation than the Mogollon Rim, and gets more rain. So it makes a great spot for foraging and mushrooming.

The woods are dense with trees and moldy rocks. Lots of shade and shadows, and cooler temps.

I love that we have the vast diversification of areas to solicit and wander through. It’s a great way to relax and ‘chill’.

Can’t wait to go back… we are already planning our next trip. It is mushroom season afterall. 🙂

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 by kritterspaw

A trip to the Rim

Travel
arizona, elk, mogollon rim, northern az, rim, ritter, wildlife
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Life gets busy, but we should never be so busy that we don’t take time out to frequent our favorite spots and do the things that rock our individual boats … and for us that includes the Mogollon Rim.

We actually got snow, sleet, hail, and rain during our short trip, which made for awesome scenery and elk wondering what we were doing there.

It made me wonder what took us so long… oh, there was that project, and that chore, and that meeting, plus that snow storm, the roads were closed… well, okay.

Always find time to smell the roses, or in our case fresh forest air.

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018 by kritterspaw

Grand Canyon North Rim

It’s true that the South Rim is closer than the North Rim… by a bunch! But, give me the North Rim any day. The views are better, and the crowds less (that by itself is reason enough).

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We enjoyed the many overlooks and stunning views along the way.

The aspen leaves were turning and the fall colors were stunning. The roads and the hillsides were covered with their golden hue.

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You can see more of my Grand Canyon photos here… https://kritterspix.com/2018/10/05/grand-canyon-north-rim-bright-angel-point/ and here … https://kritterspix.com/2018/10/05/grand-canyon-north-rim-point-sublime/

August 14, 2018 by kritterspaw

Blue Ridge Reservoid

We have not had much of a winter, or snow fall… or rain this summer. As a result Blue Ridge Reservoir, our local waterway, has been pretty devoid of water. Our recent fires haven’t helped much, with air support dipping into the reservoir for water needs to put out fires.

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Hiking into the river bed revealed the reality of the toll the reservoir has taken, when it was clear that the waterway was not only dry, but dry long enough to be covered with a fresh green grass.

While it was a beautiful hike, it heightened our need for rain… and a good snow fall this winter.

June 24, 2018 by kritterspaw

Hutch Mountain

Travel
arizona, az, deer, flagstaff, historic, hutch mountain, lookout tower, northern az, tower, wildlife
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hutch lo far_IR.jpg Hutch Mountain Lookout tower is one of many throughout Arizona. It is on the National Historic Lookout Registry. It was built in 1936, and still serves as a manned major viewpoint for fires in the Flagstaff area. Located off of FR3 (Lake Mary Road) at Milepost 310, not too far down a couple good dirt roads.

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The day we were there there were 9 fires in the area, all started by dry lightening, including the Tank Fire. The Tank Fire was in the very same area as the Tinder Fire which devastated our neighborhoods just a month before. As an eery reminder of those terrifying days, our neighboring subdivisions CCP 1&2 were issued pre-evacuation notices. Fortunately, the fire was quickly doused and completely contained.

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From the top of the tower you could see the Chinooks flying on the horizon dumping water of the fire.

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The surrounding landscape is full of Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, elk and deer.

At 8535 feet elevation the days are cool, and nights brisk. Climbing the tower offers a vantage point across northern AZ.

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August 26, 2017August 28, 2017 by kritterspaw

Milk Ranch Road

Travel
arizona, az, forest, fr300, milk ranch road, mogollon rim, northern az, sunrise, sunset, trees, woods
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Just off the Forest Road 300 is an obscure road marked FR 218: Milk Ranch Road. Along it are magnificent overlooks of the Mogollon Rim below. One can find an open spot in the woods or down a long rocky rough road to be rewarded by this great expanse.

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If you’re lucky you’ll be blessed with amazing skies, puffy clouds, and remarkable sunsets and sunrises. If you’re not, just enjoy the view, a nice picnic and peaceful, relaxing visit.

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For more from this trip and Lessons from a Squirrel check out my post HERE.

October 2, 2016 by kritterspaw

Leaf Peeping

Uncategorized
arizona, autumn, az, fall colors, forest, leaf, leaves, northern az, woods
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Fall cometh early to Northern AZ. I have told anyone that would listen, winter is coming. It’s getting cold early and fast. We’ve already had overnight lows below freezing. So with it, the leaves are popping. We have been out several times to see them, and plan on several more trips. I think October 1 is the earliest I have ever seen this abundance of color. Usually it’s not until at least 2nd or 3rd week of October. My guess is by then we’ll be taking photos of snow instead of leaves.

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But we’re loving it. The beauty is incredible. I don’t know how I every lived in the valley without getting the 4 seasons. I’m addicted… and love it.

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Talk about photographic fodor. The color variations and possibilities are stunning. We packed a lunch and had an amazing view amidst the burst of color we found ourselves in.

Fantastic!

September 1, 2016 by kritterspaw

The one that got away

Uncategorized
arizona, baby elk, baby teeth, big bull, bull elk, elk, little bull, northern az, rut, single spike, the one that got away
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Unfortunately, despite our many trips to the Mogollon Rim looking for animals, we just haven’t seen that many. I don’t know where they are, but they just aren’t here. It’s rut season here on the mountain, so the bull elk are collecting their harems. We did just see a small herd of elk the other day.

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We saw a few little babies born this year with fading spots, and few cow elk, along with a young single spike bull.

But the one I really wanted to get a photo of was the one on the way out and I only got a fleeting view of this big bull.

Darn. He was just the one that got away. It astounds me how these big boys can walk (not to mention run) through our tangled forests with those big racks on their heads.

Maybe next time.

November 13, 2015 by kritterspaw

First Snow

Uncategorized
arizona, first snow, forest, mogollon rim, northern az, rim, snow, trees, winter
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I must admit, I never ever thought I could get used to snow. I hate the cold.

But never say never. Now that we live somewhere where we have 4 seasons, I enjoy every one of them… including the snow. There is something pristine and innocent about the beauty and cleanness of snow.

It hangs on the trees and coats the ground in white fluffy clumps. If one is lucky, the first snow of the year coincides with the end of fall… and changing of the colors, yielding an intersection of seasons in all it’s beauty. Check out my Snow Trees post on kritterspix.com.

September 15, 2015September 15, 2015 by kritterspaw

Limestone Ranch

Travel
az, coconino forest, cowboy, limestone flats, limestone ranch, mogollon rim, northern az, old cabins, west
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We like to frequent the Mogollon Rim as it is close to us, and bountiful with it’s awesome nature and scenery. We always feel so fortunate to live so close to something so stunning, and are always finding something new and interesting.

On a recent trip we ran across this old cabin. There was no signage to get there, but this old cabin was well kept and maintained. We wandered around it and were mesmerized by how well built it was.. and how lasting. We estimated it was built in the 1930’s, and still standing. We could imagine that some old rancher set up home here… cutting down local timbers, perhaps even mixing his own concrete to chink the lumber walls. Corrals still stood from apparent horses, and old farm implements strewn about allowing the tenants to live off the land.