With the extraordinarily rainy monsoon season moving out and cool dry days moving in, nature lovers will want to experience the San Francisco Peaks in full, vibrant bloom from Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Chairlift Ride through mid October.
“The abundant and extended rains this monsoon season have resulted in the highest diversity of wildflowers and fungi and the most lush flora that I have seen in my 15 years here in Flagstaff,” said Kristin Haskins, Ph.D., director of research at The Arboretum at Flagstaff.
Gliding above the stunning Coconino National Forest floor in the cool mountain air, the Chairlift Ride offers spectacular views. On a typical clear fall day, riders will be able to see a distance of some 70 miles to the vertical walls of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, the red rocks of Sedona and across one of the world’s most populated volcano fields.
“Indeed, we’ve lost the strong monsoon circulation and we’re drying out now, with breezy, mostly fair weather on the horizon,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Brian Klimowski, Ph.D. “It looks like temperatures will be near normal during the next 10 days!
A Forest Service interpreter greets visitors at the top of the chairlift and shares information about the wildlife, vegetation, geology and history of the area. Guests also can enjoy disc golf, hiking, picnicking at the ski resort’s Peak Side Café and live music on weekends.
“Right now we’re experiencing an unbelievably gorgeous window between thunderstorms and the first frost. You won’t want to miss out,” said Arizona Snowbowl General Manager J.R. Murray. “Be sure to bring a jacket, long pants and closed-toe shoes. Arizona at 11,500 feet is chilly in the fall!”
Leaf watchers are expecting the mountain to glow with vivid yellows and oranges soon, as quaking aspen groves on the San Francisco Peaks historically burst into autumn color during the first two weeks of October.
Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Chairlift Ride is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for juniors (ages 8-13) and seniors (ages 65-69). Those under 7 or over 70 ride for free, as do Snowbowl Season Passholders. For more information, log onto arizonasnowbowl.com.