b'DUBBED THE ALPS OF ARIZONA, Alpines Swiss-like settingstill a secret to manywill have you blinking in disbelief. Mountain lakes and swift-running streams dot the countryside. Ponderosa Pine, aspen, and fir dominate the landscape and four distinct seasons offer something for everyone in an outdoor paradise. Whether you prefer an active or laid-back mountain holiday, Alpine opens the door for high-altitude adventure. g etting to Alpine, Arizona through Showcross-country skiers, and families looking to Low is the most accessible route. Alpinebuild a snowman. Many popular trails allow sits on the Coronado Trail National Scenichorseback riding such as the East Baldy Trail.Byway (U.S. 191), the lonely twisting road that stretches from Springerville to Clifton.Rock-hunters can enjoy finding Luna agate, It is considered the curviest federal highway infire agate, and quartz crystals. There are the nation. Alpine is surrounded by the Apache- over 120 geocache sites in and around Sitgreaves National Forest near the headwaters ofAlpine. A herbarium that helps people the San Francisco River. At an elevation of 8,050identify the hundreds of wildflowers that feet, it is just 6 miles from the New Mexico border. bloom during the spring and summer is available at the Forest Service Ranger Alpine is located in Bush Valley and is anStation in Alpine.unincorporated community in Apache County. First settled by Anderson Bush in the late 19th century,Birding is a very popular pastime in the area the first building was a log cabin known as Fortand birders are blessed with more than 100 Bush and was a local stronghold for the settlers inspecies to see. Luna Lake has a nesting pair the surrounding areas. He later sold his holdings toof bald eagles and you can sometimes see Mormon settlers. them fishing in the lake or soaring in the sky. Golden eagles, as well as swans and geese, are often OUTDOOR ADVENTURES seen at the lake too.Five species of hummingbirds, Kayakers and boaters will find 11 mountain lakesincluding the Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, Rufous,Some of the resident mammals are elk, deer, bear, and 200 miles of trout streams within a 30-mileCalliope, and Magnificent migrate through the areamountain lion, bobcat, fox, coyote, the reintroduced radius. Dark, clear skies make for memorableevery spring and summer and then depart in the fall.Mexican Gray wolf, raccoons, skunks, Aberts stargazing and winter snowfall thrills snowshoers,Alpine is located along the Rocky Mountain Flyway.squirrel, and chipmunks. Alpine citizenstheBad Boys or the Dirty Dozenare a group of bull elk who enjoy posing for tourists in downtown Alpine. You can count on seeing them every summer. An Audubon refuge is at the Luce Ranch on the Blue River.FISHINGThe area is known for some of the best, most scenic stream fly fishing in Arizona at the east fork of the Black River, the Little Colorado River, Sheeps Crossing, Silver Creek, and the west fork of the Black River. Some locations are easy to access, while others require some hiking to get to the river waters. You can learn the art of fly fishing with a lesson or perfect your casting technique with a half or full-day guided trip too. 28 April 2020'