b"formation, its waterfall, and the surrounding trees that signal fall weather. It may not seem possible that a desert would have a fall foliage season, but the Sonoran Deserts wetland areas along streams and washes are loaded with wonderful sycamores and cottonwoods that turn vivid yellow and orange come fall. In early to sometimes late November, Roosevelt Lake is a vibrant mix of different colors that will simply take your breath away. Fall colors typically begin the second weekend in October in the higher elevations of Gila County, with most of the peak viewing in early to the middle of October. The lower elevations usually peak in late October or early November and can continue through the month of November.ARAVAIPA CANYON is a great place to see fall colors. (Don't forget your permits.) In late fall, the trees turn shades of butterscotch and pumpkin, echoing the hues of the surrounding rocks. The trees include cottonwoods and sycamores that shade the creek. The canyon is the centerpiece of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. The 12-mile hike includes soaring canyons, large pools, small rapids, and bright yellow cottonwood groves. You can hike the canyon as a full-day hike, but it's recommended to spend at least one night at one of the many campsites along the creek. Fall colors begin to appear in late August and the higher the elevation, the more dramatic the foliage.Heading south towards Tucson, you'll find MT. LEMMON, part of the Santa Catalina Mountains. At its height, it reaches southwestdiscoveries.comflickr.com/photos/tlposcharsky an elevation of more than 9,000 feet and sports numerous trailheads, picnic sites, campgrounds,Farther south still are MADERA CANYON a lake, and forests dense with not only pines butin the Santa Rita Mountains and the Nature also colorful aspen, maple, and walnut trees thatConservancy's RAMSEY CANYON Preserve, turn beautiful shades of gold and red. Watchboth popular birdwatching spots.In November, also for colorful shrubs and ferns that have givenMadera Canyon comes alive with shades of red up their summer green for copperyand orange. The trees, including hackberry, ash, brown. Drive the mountain's Catalinawillow, cotton, and sycamore, reflect their autumn Highway as it zigzags up the slopes, orcolors in the Madera Creek.The canyon is located pull off near a trailhead and explore about 40 miles south of Tucson. Ramsey Canyon the changing landscape on foot. Theoffers guided nature walks several times a week fall colors at Mount Lemmon peaks inthrough November. You can follow the banks mid to late October typically fadingof Ramsey Creek to see the sycamore trees turn after Halloween.yellow and gold and the maples turn reddish. fabulousarizona.comtripstodiscover.comArizonaRealCountry.com October 2023 25"