The View From the Skyline: Passive Travel

Summer in Full Swing, Apache National Forest Arizona

I didn’t do much of the planning on this one. That’s a little unusual for me, but if I’m honest it was a fun change.

My husband put this together as a trip primarily for fishing. The delightful thing was that Arizona’s White Mountains and Mogollon Rim are not just fishy, but also spectacularly photogenic. There were flowers everywhere. All I had to do was show up and find the compositions.

A Little Time in Civilization; Grand Canyon Brewing in Williams

We started with a night with dear friends at their RV camp south of Winslow. The stop was perfect for making the transition to the forest mindset. We walked, chatted, and watched the wildlife. Full disclosure, though, we went to town for a beer and tacos.

Hashknife Pony Express Commemoration, Holbrook Arizona

I’d been meaning to find this plaque for some time, even looking half-heartedly on a trip with photography friends last spring. This time through Holbrook Arizona, though, we found it. In fact Marco did. I had the honor of photographing a couple of the riders in the Hashknife Pony Express ride in February 2020. One of them, Shawn Maestas, has kept in touch and asked to use my photograph for the plaque on the statue in Gillespie Park. One of the riders is Mr. Maestas. Sadly, the other, Wade Carlisle, died unexpectedly the next year making the commemoration even more poignant.

The Terrain We Tried to Hike Down Through, Apache National Forest Arizona

Marco was tipped to the next camp spot by a fishing buddy. The hike from camp to a fork of the Black River looked simple (or at least do-able) on the topo map. We settled in to let a thunderstorm pass, and decided to do the hike in the morning.

Lupines in Morning Light, Apache National Forest Arizona

Lupines and dew at sunrise got my attention. I felt as if I’d made a good photographic start to the trip on the mesa as we geared up for the hike into the canyon. I’ll take full responsibility for turning back after an hour or so slogging through piles of downed trees, grapefruit-sized rock slopes (AKA ankle-turners), and a legendary bush-whack. He says he’ll try again another time, and I asked that I not be included and that he find another crazy angler to do it with him for safety.

Onward.

Undisclosed Riparian Area With Flowers, Apache National Forest Arizona

This next secret spot is also part of the Black River watershed. We were there last season, in June, when it was gorgeous. In August the flowers had had time to bloom, and it was even better this time around. Apparently there were fish as well, but I couldn’t swear to it.

Warm-Cool Colors on the Canyon Floor, Apache National Forest Arizona

Marco and I found the next spot by pouring over Google Earth. It looked quite a bit like the first camp’s hike from hell, but getting around was easy, at least by comparison. Grateful for my wading boots, I found lovely morning scenes with flowers.

Detail From "Mushroom Camp," Apache National Forest Arizona

I dubbed the place we stayed “Mushroom Camp,” and enjoyed crawling around with my macro lens shooting details there as well.

Willow Springs Lake, Sitgreaves National Forest Arizona

We were hesitant to drive all the way home in one day, so the angler-planner suggested Willow Springs Lake in Mogollon Rim Country, about halfway. We don’t love campgrounds, but Sinkhole CG is comfortable, and allowed us to walk twice to the tailwaters (creek below the dam) of the lake.

Reflections, Sitgreaves National Forest Arizona

We didn’t see a soul there, and there were more flowers and lovely reflections.

Flat Head Ed, From an AZGFD Photo, 2013

I also met a local celebrity in the parking lot. This dude’s name is Flat Head Ed. He’s a fishing guide. Over a decade ago I saw this photograph on social media, from an AZ Game and Fish newsletter. At the time this was the record-size catfish (at 76 ½ pounds) for Arizona. Thanks to his goofy moniker, I remembered the guy and we had a nice chat. Sometimes, when travelling, it really is the little things.

Finally, out of clean shirts and beer, we scooted home to edit photos and tell fish stories. I expect we’ll be back.