Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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As much as we all enjoy the Southwest and much of the year in Arizona, we do have to endure the soaring temperatures of summer for a few months. There are out-of-state "escape routes" such as San Diego, of course, but some of us choose to cool off in Arizona's high country instead. Places such as Flagstaff, Payson, Show Low, and Prescott are four examples of cooler places to visit at this time of year. The ultimate outdoors woman, Margie Anderson, suggests two hikes that offer a respite from the... Full story
We started taking our granddaughters hiking with us when they were five or six years old, so I know how important it is to find great hikes that are pretty, but easy enough for short legs. This time of year, you also want those trails to be in the high country - and even then they might get pretty warm in the afternoon. But these two hikes are short and sweet - so they're ideal for a summer day with or without kids. Picture Canyon My granddaughter Trinity told us about this one. She's a student... Full story
Publisher's Note - Margie mentions Wide World of Maps later in this article. Wide World of Maps has maintained a mini-store at Lookout Mountain Outdoors. With the retirement of the owner of Lookout Mountain, Wide World of Maps will expand at this location. You may visit https://maps4u.com/, or call 602/279-2323 for information. Please tell them Jim and Carol sent you. Thank you. A Change In Plans Turns Into A Great Road Trip Sometimes plans don't work out. We had planned to go on an ROV ride wit... Full story
You already know our "cover girl", Margie Anderson (and thanks, John Anderson, for this great photo). She is the ultimate outdoors woman and an expert on fishing, hunting/shooting, hiking, wildlife (including birds), wild flowers, Arizona destinations — you name it. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have Margie as a regular contributor. Besides our appreciation of her knowledge and talent, others have recognized her as well: three times "Outdoor Writer of the Year" from Arizona Game & F... Full story
Compiled by Margie Anderson You must have a valid hunting license for all hunts, and permit tags for some. You must read the regulations. You can pick up a hard copy at many outdoor stores and all Game and Fish offices. You can also read and/or download all the regulation booklets at www.azgfd.gov. Application Deadlines This Month: None Bear: Bear hunts continue this month. Some run through July. You must have a valid hunting license as well as a hunt permit tag obtained through the draw – e... Full story
For April: A Hike, A Ride, and A Drive April is a great month to explore the Arizona desert. It isn't too hot yet, not too cold, and there are still wildflowers and cactus blossoms to be found, not to mention the masses of yellow palo verde blossoms. To help you enjoy some of the prettiest places I know of in the desert, I've compiled three adventures for you: a walk, a ride, and a drive. No matter what your fitness level is, one of these will work for you this April. A Hike: Badgers Springs If... Full story
You must have a valid hunting license for all hunts, and permit tags for some. You must read the regulations. You can pick up a hard copy at many outdoor stores and all Game and Fish offices. You can also read and/or download all the regulation booklets at www.azgfd.gov. There are no application deadlines this month. Bear Bear hunts begin this month. Some run through July. You must have a valid hunting license as well as a hunt permit tag obtained through the draw - except for a general... Full story
Spring Is The Perfect Time To Savor The Beauty Wildflower season has started early this year and we had such great winter rains the show ought to be particularly gorgeous this spring. Because the wildflowers bloom later as the altitude increases, you can actually see great swaths of wildflowers clear through summer.... 
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Alamo has great bass, catfish, and crappie fishing. We were up there with Greg Pishkur one May and we caught a bunch of nice largemouth on Chatterbaits in the main lake. Greg also took us up into the submerged trees in the river end and we tied into some big bass flipping white jigs.... Website
Arizona Lakes, Arizona Pros – Lake Havasu With Dean Farrell Lake Havasu, on the Colorado River between California and Arizona, is one of the most popular lakes in the west for outdoor recreation of all kinds. People from both sides of the river flock there not only to fish, but also to ski, jet ski, sail, or just lie on the beach and catch some rays. Lake Havasu City is located right on the shore of the lake, and the resorts, restaurants, and shops of the city add to the allure of the a... Website
Jewel Of The Creek – Dragonfly Trail (Easy) Jewel of the Creek is a 26.6-acre preserve that protects a beautiful riparian area - one of the last remaining perennial streams in Maricopa County. The Desert Foothills Land Trust bought the land in 2001. The Dragonfly Trail is simply a one-mile loop through the riparian area. It is one of the prettiest desert hikes you will ever see, with towering trees, lush vegetation and flowers near the creek, and giant saguaros and other cacti a stone's throw a... Full story
You must have a valid hunting license for all hunts, and permit tags for some. You must read the regulations. You can pick up a hard copy at many outdoor stores and all Game and Fish offices. You can also read and/or download all the regulation booklets at www.azgfd.gov. Application Deadlines This Month Elk and antelope online application deadlines: • Antelope permit tag fees: resident $103, non-resident $565 Deadline for paper applications was January 15. Apply online until February 12. • Elk... Full story
Alamo Lake can be dynamite in April. The average high temperature is 79 degrees and the average low is 44 degrees. Bass may be spawning, and crappie fishing will be great. With all the rain we've had, the ramps are open now and it's a great place to go. April At Alamo Should Be Great One of the reasons I like Alamo so much is that it's far from anywhere and it's not on the way to any place either – you have to want to go to Alamo, and it's a pretty good drive no matter where you live, so the l... Website
On my Topo Maps app, this place is shown by a dark square and the name "Fort Tule", designation site. It is north of Lake Pleasant off Cow Creek Road, and from the T-intersection where Castle Hot Springs Road turns sharp left in front of the entrance to the Castle Creek launch ramp at Lake Pleasant, it's a little over 16 miles one way. It took us about four hours to get there, but that's because we keep stopping to walk around all the time. It took us about 2-1/2 hours to get back to the truck... Full story
When the weather starts heating up in Arizona, everyone begins to long for a large body of water to dive into. In an ideal situation, this body of water would also be beautiful and have lots of things to do and to look at. This pretty much describes Saguaro Lake in a nutshell. Now before I go getting you all excited about Saguaro, let me first tell you that Saguaro is a very popular lake and if you want to find a parking place for your boat trailer, you need to get there early. Fat Bass Add To L... Full story
At times it seems as if there is no winter in the Arizona desert - some years we're still in shirt sleeves on Christmas day. Winter weather like this makes up for the 118 degree summer days, and Alamo Lake is a prime example. You'll swelter at Alamo in summer, but the average high in December is 63 degrees. This makes for awesome days on the water.... Website
I've known Rob Vanderkooi for decades and he's one of the best bass fishermen I know. He's also a heck of a good hunter. Rob guides for The Arizona Fishing Guides now, so if you want to learn some great techniques and have a super good time, call them and set up a day fishing with him. Carolina Rigs Come To Mind One thing I always think of when Vanderkooi comes to mind is Carolina Rigs. I'll never forget when he and his partner brought a 42-pound 6-fish limit to the scales in an All Star tournam... Full story
Arizona Is Ablaze With Color - As a native Arizonan, I tend to believe that Arizona is the most beautiful and amazing place on the planet – and autumn in Arizona confirms that belief. John and I and the granddaughters are out and about pretty much all year, and we especially love to see fall colors – yellow, orange, and even red light up the hillsides and the banks of our streams. Ir can be magical to stroll along with color above and below from leaves that have already fallen and those that are... Full story
One of the things I like most is simply to drive around off the highway and explore. My dad and I used to do that a lot when I was younger – we'd scout for deer and we'd take every road we found. Sure, a lot of times we had to turn around because the road was too rough – after all, we were driving a '62 Chevy pickup with a Power Glide transmission. That means it had just two gears, low and high. Weird, right? But we took that thing all over the place, especially in Hunt Unit 21. Dugas Road was... Full story
I'm not as young as I used to be. Last deer season, Margie and I lugged our heavy AR's all over the mountains in very rough and rocky terrain, and it was no fun. By the time you figure your backpack, optics, tripods, rifle, ammo, and water, you could be carrying 40 extra pounds around, mostly uphill and downhill. And that's BEFORE you have to carry a deer out. Heavy Loads For instance, Margie was carrying a big pair of Docter Optics 7X50 binoculars, a backpack that sagged off her shoulders and... Full story
Thank you to Margie Anderson for this photo of Cliff Springs Trail, about a third of a mile north of Cape Royal. She notes that this gem is worth a hike. It's gorgeous. In fact, especially during the soaring temperatures of the Valley of the Sun, a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas is one of the best ideas she has shared - with us and with her family. The Anderson family recently spent five days visiting the treasures of Page, Marble Canyon, Lee's Ferry, and, of... Full story
Summer is the perfect time to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon because the higher elevation of the North Rim means forest and cool summer days. The North Rim is usually a lot less crowded than the South Rim as well, mostly because it takes a lot longer to get there. We took a five-day trip in June that included Page, Marble Canyon, Lee's Ferry, and the North Rim, and it was awesome. Granted, the weather was a bit hot in Page and Marble Canyon, but not quite as hot as in the Valley, so we... Full story
Hopefully we will get some rain soon - and during the summer months - and the forests will re-open, but if not, there are still places you can go to enjoy the outdoors. Arizona's State Parks are super places to visit - John and the girls and I have been to many of them. Here are a few of our favorites, with cooling-off in mind. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park This beautiful place is near Superior, Ariz., on highway 60. It does get warm there during the day, but they open at 6 a.m. from May ... Full story
I grew up in a world without personal computers or cell phones, and since I also grew up hunting, I know how to use and read a paper map. In fact, with a topo-quadrant map and a compass, I can pinpoint my location quickly and easily. I love paper maps and I have a lot of them, but I also use GPS extensively. In fact, I use both because paper maps and GPS or electronic maps both have their strengths and weaknesses. For me, GPS will never replace a paper map. Topo Quadrant Maps I have an entire... Full story
Every year on the way to the SHOT Show in Vegas, we pass through Kingman, Ariz., and see the sign for the Hualapai Mountain Park turnoff. For years we've been saying that we would love to go there, and this year we finally did it. Now we wish we hadn't waited so long! Kingman itself has great restaurants, lots of history, and fun things to do outside and in. The mountains are awesome, with pine forests, fantastic rock formations, and ten miles of hiking trails, plus lots more. Hualapai Mountains... Full story
