This area trends from the lower eastern part of the state in a northwestern direction through the central portion of the state. This area consists of rugged mountain ranges and valleys. Most mountains are part of the Mogollon Rim, a dramatic escarpment extending more than one hundred miles from the New Mexico line northwesterly along the northern part of the escarpment area.

Mogollon Rim Recreational Area

Mazatzal, Santa Maria, Sierra Ancha and the White Mountains.

Mongollon Rim Visitors Center

Lakes Vista Overlook

Military Sinkhole Overlook

The drive from Payson, Arizona up to the Mogollon Rim visitors center is only about thirty miles distance, however, there is a climb of about 2,500 feet in elevation up to the Mogollon Rim. Along the drive up to the rim of the plateau, I am always ready to talk a photo of any spots where I can see the rim from the roadway. Leaving Payson, the highway drops into a valley and from this viewpoint, I can see the rim in the distance and that the travel to the Mogollon Rim will be across a large valley replete with many canyons and hills.

As I travel down into this valley, the ability to see the rim diminishes greatly and I only get glimpses of it occasionally.

As I continue, I watch my GPS monitor and it shows that the elevation is fast approaching 7000 feet, I begin to see the edge of the rim clearly.

Looking back at my GPS, I see that the Rim Road is now showing up on the monitor and I know that I am close. Then, suddenly, there it is, the Rim of the Canyon right out my window. In no time, I arrive at the visitors center.

The first stop is at the Mogollon Rim visitors center, which is already closed for the winter, and walk to the rim here to photograph the canyon. I hear a woodpecker overhead and try to take photos but the sun is right in my eyes. Moving about the area allows me to finally see the bird and get some photos of him, but I am not able to ID him as a hairy woodpecker until I upload the photos to my computer. I then continue along the Rim drive in the Mogollon Rim Recreational Area where I stop at the a couple of the observation stops to take more photos.

Next, I drive across SH 260 and turn left on the Rim road (FS road 300), a scenic drive that travels for over forty miles along the Mogollon Rim at the edge of the Arizona Escarpment. The drive offers scenic views at countless lookouts, has campsites and hiking trails all along the way.

After 1.2 miles, FR 300 intersects what used to be the General Crook Trail, a historic wagon route that was used in the 1870s and 1880s to provide logistical support for General George Crook in the U.S. Army’s war against the Apaches.

The Rim Road is one that I intend to return to and travel the entire length someday not to distant in the future, but I will have to come at an earlier time in the year when it is actually open.

However, for today, I only travel to two of the overlooks, the Military Sinkhole overlook and then the Rims Lakes Vista overlook.

At this overlook, I stop and because the previous three campsites have already been closed for the winter, I do not drive the extra three miles to Mogollon Rim campsite seven, giving up on camping here tonight, but turn around and drive back to SH 260 and resume my journey east to my winter hiatus.

Once again, methinks, I want to return here to drive and camp the forty miles of this remarkable scenic route.