Apache Trail Drive & Winslow, AZ

Winslow, AZ
McHood County Park


We had to do a day drive on the Apache Trail before leaving Arizona.  We had a nice sunny day so off we went.

Plan on a long day drive.  Bring snacks and water and a lunch.  Dress for some hiking too if you're going up to see the cliff dwellings.

 

Copper Mine Pit.

 

Hiking up to the dwellings.  We just did the lower.  It's a couple miles further to the upper dwelling and you have to take a guide.  It was another hot day and not enough time to do both.

 

Once you drive around the cute towns, the dwellings and Roosevelt Lake, you then drive for several miles on a dirt road that climbs very high before returning to Apache Junction.  This was a great part of the trail.

 

The river was gorgeous and I saw lots of places I'd like to kayak.  We could see SO many huge fish from above.  I'd sure love to fish here too!

If you look closely, those dark spots are fish!

 

Such beautiful, rugged scenery.

 

I love to photograph the Prickly Pear Cactus.

 

 

A shot of the church I forgot to add before in front of the Superstitions.  Which do you like better?  Black and White or the color?

Our very last hike was First Water that Shelly told us about.

 

There are a lot of nice hikes on this side of the mountains left to do!

I'm glad they give such clear directions so you don't get lost!

As we head for the northern part of Arizona, we leave behind the cactus and hot temperatures and get back into the beautiful mountains (yes, Arizona has beautiful mountains!) and PINE TREES!  Oh, how I've missed the pine trees!  It was getting late in the afternoon and the elk were everywhere!

 Cracked us up that this elk ran alongside the truck for a bit.  Glad it went right instead of left!

 

We've been to Winslow before, but since the recent passing of Glen Frey we decided to stop by again.  Besides, our campspot for a few nights was close by. 

 

Our favorite in this area is the no-frills, but free, campground of McHood.

 

I didn't get any pictures, but we shared our campfire with a couple of older, single gentlemen that were staying for a few days.  Very nice guys with interesting stories.  It always works out this way.  Just love like-minded camping/adventure folk!  One in a motorhome, now fulltime, the other in a camper that travels to/from his multiple properties hunting with his 2 dogs.

 

Another reason to stop in Winslow is to eat at the wonderful Turquoise Room.  The best food of the area, really!  We stayed here before and I couldn't wait to order that wonderful breakfast I had last time.  Here's the link to the last time we were here with more details of the history of the area, restaurant, lodge and Harvey Girls.  BLOGPOST

 

On the left is my Green Chili Eggs, on the right Steve's Machaca.

Bye Arizona!