When, where and what color are the fall leaves? The Discover Flagstaff LEAF-ometer has the answers with an online tool.
This fall, take to the skies on the Scenic Gondola at Arizona Snowbowl. As you soar over the mountains, enjoy the glories of autumn’s crisp colors, with a spectacular view of the mixed fir and aspen tree canopy below, including epic views of the Grand Canyon. And check out The Arboretum at Flagstaff, an oasis of high-altitude native plants. As autumn draws near, trees transform into golden pieces of art. The Arboretum is open through October and is the perfect place for a picnic and family getaway. Stroll through historic downtown Flagstaff for excellent leaf-peeping, dining and shopping, with vibrant colors sprinkling the tree-lined streets of downtown. Also, enjoy Northern Arizona University. The beautiful NAU campus has an abundance of seasonal splendor – plus Lumberjacks fall football games! Go trailblazing by foot or bike and explore the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) and Coconino National Forest, with abundant options for a crisp, cool adventure among aspens, conifers and oaks that steal the show with their quaking leaves glowing like liquid sunshine.
When, where and what color are the fall leaves? The Discover Flagstaff LEAF-ometer has the answers with an online tool. The LEAF-ometer gauges the changing foliage on the trails and around town. Visit www.flagstaffarizona.org/leafometer. This valuable resource provides an idea in real-time of what stage of color alteration to expect when traveling to varying areas of the city and experiencing the season at its most exhilarating.
Let’s keep Flagstaff beautiful, trails sustainable and wild places wild. Did you know that Flagstaff is a participant of Pledge for the Wild (PFTW). This responsible tourism initiative, PFTW, is making a difference in Flagstaff, providing an opportunity to keep our trails beautiful with donations to the non-profit Flagstaff Trails Initiative. Imagine you just hiked 14 miles of epic trail on the San Francisco Peaks in the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. After an awesome day of hiking, it’s time to celebrate with a cold craft beer at a brewery. While waiting for that pitcher of effervescence, the wait staff brings you a Pledge for the Wild coaster, and the message makes you smile ear-to-ear because you just accomplished a bucket list item and have worked hard to earn bragging rights. The coaster message encourages giving back to our wild places with a donation. You make the pledge and donate $1 for each mile you hiked by texting WILD4FLAG to 44321. Now, after your amazing hike on Flagstaff’s trails, the craft beer tastes even better with your small donation to Pledge for the Wild. Each donation submitted by text-to-donate or through the pledgewild.com website is sent directly to the Flagstaff Trails Initiative, which is working hard to keep Flagstaff’s wild places special.
Additionally, Flagstaff Local – My Actions Matter is a community movement encouraging and celebrating residents and visitors who choose to support Flagstaff. Make a difference by volunteering, voting, mentoring, shopping locally and being eco-friendly. While out and about enjoying nature’s beauty, leave trails in an even healthier condition than once found. Pick up free trash bags at the Flagstaff Visitor Center (1 E. Rt. 66.), celebrate the work by donating to Pledge for the Wild (text WILD4FLAG to 44321) and take a Flagstaff Local pledge by signing up at flagstafflocal.com.
Think globally and act locally while discovering Flagstaff’s wild places. Tackle trail trash, leave no trace and please continue to be fire aware. Use the LEAF-ometer to catch Flagstaff’s fall colors with a leaf-viewing visit and experience cool temperatures, amazing scenery and outdoor adventure!
By Meg Roederer