I've been doing a series on day trips from Mesa, Arizona. All of the day trips have been within a 3-4 hour drive from East Mesa, Arizona. I've been primarily sharing the north areas, but promise to share more of the south communities when it cools off. I kinda sorta feel like "Arizona Highways" sharing some of my favorite hot spots for those living or moving to Mesa, or even the Phoenix Valley. There are sooooo many places to visit, to see, and to enjoy.
My next "day trip" is of photos and information on our recent hike on the Mogollon Rim Interpretive Trail located just inside Lakeside, Arizona in the White Mountains. A dramatic 200 mile long uplift split Arizona into two greatly different regions, after the seas withdrew. At the Mogollon Rim, you are on the edge of the Colorado Plateau, a flat landscape broken here by the volcanic White Mountains. Looking below, you will see mountain ranges and lowlands known as the Basin and Range Region. The flavors of both regions are woven together here, creating surprising variety.
Part of the trail is covered with asphalt, and it's a fairly easy walk and wheelchair accessible. It leads over a bridge, and comes to a halt at the edge of the panoramic views. Then, a dirt trail continues, and we continue around on the dirt trail to the beginning.
Looking off of the Rim we are able to see the White Mountain Apache Reservation (at least we know it's there. The Apaches have lived in the Rim area for hundreds of years. There is much history in this area, and I've included some from Wikipedia below.
I couldn't resist taking a photograph of this little bridge....;-)
A great panoramic view at the top......
The Rim is an escarpment defining the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, and along its central and most spectacular portions is characterized by high limestone and sandstone cliffs. It was formed by erosion and faulting, and dramatic canyons have been cut into it, including Fossil Creek Canyon, and Pine Canyon. The name Mogollon comes from Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollón, Spanish Governor of New Mexico from 1712-1715.
Much of the land below the Mogollon Rim lies 4000 to 5000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 m) above sea level, with the escarpment rising to approximately 7,000 ft (2,100 m). Extensive Ponderosa Pine forests are found both on the slopes of the Rim and on the plateau above. It is a major floristic and faunal boundary, with species characteristic of the Rocky Mountains on the top of the plateau, and the species of the Mexican Sierra Madre Occidental on the slopes below and in the Madrean sky islands (high, isolated mountain ranges) further south.
The Mogollon Rim's limestones and sandstones were formed from sediments deposited in the Carboniferous and Permian periods. Several of the Rim's rock formations are also found in the walls of the Grand Canyon. In many places the Rim is capped or even buried by extensive basaltic lava flows.
The Rim's uppermost sandstone stratum, the Coconino Sandstone, forms spectacular white cliffs, sometimes several hundred feet high. This Permian period formation is of eolian (windblown) origin, and is one of the thickest sand-dune-derived sandstones on earth.
Cities near the Mogollon Rim include Payson, and Show Low. It is bisected by Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The eastern portion of the Rim was the site of Arizona's largest-ever wildfire in June 2002, the 470,000 acre (1,900 km²) Rodeo-Chediski fire. The Mogollon Rim was also the site of the Dude Fire that started on June 25, 1990. This fire grew to over 30,000 acres (120 km²) and killed six wildland firefighters. Other large fires have burned along the Rim since 1990, and the area's Ponderosa Pine forests remain vulnerable because of past fire suppression and fuel build-up.
Ready for your day trip yet? We live in an amazing country, and need to take time to see it and enjoy it while we can. ;-)
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; or Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.382-8711 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit my website: HomesAzRE.com, or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice and AzLadyInRed!
Teri - I am so jealous of your day trips and trips to the White Mountains. I haven't been up there for a several months and not this year yet! I think soon, I have a trip planned to head up north camping with some friends! Thanks for sharing some great Arizona hot spots!
Candace, how are you? Are you back yet? Thanks for stopping by, and take some time and visit the mountains! ;-)
What a beautiful country! You did a wonderful job of presenting this wonderous day trip of yours!
Thanks for the walk down memory lane, I was raised in AZ so I love to see the posts about my OLD home.
Have A Great Day
Hey Sally, thanks so much...., it is beautiful here! ;-)
Doris, you are so welcome. Tell me where your OLD home is, and while I'm here, I'll drive over and catch a photo if you like. ;-)
A very scenic day trip in your area Teri. Thanks for the photos and the write up. I didn't know the Apache were in this area.
Gary, thank you and you're welcome. I enjoy learning and sharing about our state. ;-)
Teri, I am officially inviting myself to join you on your next trip. The area is just gorgeous! :)
Marzena, come ON along girl! ;-) Anytime. It is beautiful isn't it? ;-)
Teri,
Looks like a great place.....one of my dearest friends has had a second home near Phoenix for over 7 years.....and we have tried to make our schedules mesh to get there many times.....that would be a start to getting to your beautiful state.....
Dan, you really should keep trying to make it work....for both reasons. ;-)
Hi Teri,
Sure did enjoy the day trip (though I took it sitting on my sofa). Thanks.
Cynthia, glad you enjoyed it. ;-)
Teri, glad that you put this out there. I've reached a point whereby I can go out of town more often. I know that I can always use your posts as a reference for finding someplace to take my boys to see.
Mark, there are TONS of places to see up here, as well as just going camping either in the White Mountains or up above Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon and enjoying slide rock. ;-)