AUTUMN IN ARIZONA

There are many stereotypes about our state, including the one about the seasons — or the lack thereof. The truth is, Arizona does have winter, spring, summer and fall, and the latter might be the most spectacular in America. Not because our leaves are more colorful than they are in Vermont, but because the season here is so much longer. From the red maples on the Kaibab in early September to the golden cottonwoods along Havasu Creek in early December, autumn in Arizona goes on for months.

Q: WHY IS AUTUMN IN ARIZONA BETTER THAN IT IS IN VERMONT? A: SIMPLE MATH. THEIR PEAK SEASON LASTS ABOUT THREE WEEKS; OURS LASTS MORE THAN THREE MONTHS. OH, AND WE HAVE SOME PRETTY IMPRESSIVE CANYONS TO GO WITH OUR LEAVES, TOO.

NORTH RIM, GRAND CANYON BY GARY LADD

“The North Rim is always great, but autumn is a surefire time to visit for photography. The 8,000-foot elevation means there may be photogenic frost and fog in the meadows at sunrise, especially by mid-October. And the low temperatures are a delight after the baking temperatures of summer.” – Gary Ladd

PEAK COLOR: Late September

DIRECTIONS: From Jacob Lake, go south on State Route 67, also known as the North Rim Parkway, for 43 miles to the entrance of Grand Canyon National Park.

INFORMATION: Grand Canyon National Park, Backcountry Information Center, 928-638-7875 or www.nps.gov/grca CAMERA: Tachihara 4x5; FILM: Fuji Velvia 100; SHUTTER: 1/15 sec; APERTURE: f/25; ISO: 64; FOCAL LENGTH: 300 mm

PRECEDING PANEL: CANYON DE CHELLY BY COLLEEN MINIUK-SPERRY

“In all seasons, the sheer Navajo sandstone cliffs of Canyon de Chelly National Monument whisper remarkable stories of the past. In the fall, Mother Nature adorns this wonderland with ribbons of yellow as the Fremont cottonwoods along Chinle Wash burst into rich autumnal colors, yielding a breathtaking event that invites photographers to record a fleeting story of transformation.” – Colleen Miniuk-Sperry

PEAK COLOR: Late October to early November

DIRECTIONS: From Flagstaff, go east on Interstate 40 for 134 miles to U.S. Route 191. Turn left onto U.S. 191 and continue for 68 miles to Indian Route 7 in Chinle. Turn right onto IR 7 and continue for 3 miles to the monument's entrance.

INFORMATION: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, 928-674-5500 or www.nps.gov/cach CAMERA: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; SHUTTER: 1/25 sec; APERTURE: f/11; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 47 mm

OAK CREEK CANYON BY SUZANNE MATHIA

"The West Fork Trail, along Oak Creek, is one of the Sedona area's most popular for hikers and photographers alike. In fall, the beautiful red rocks and clear blue skies serve as the perfect backdrop for vibrant fall foliage. When you shoot here, get low to the ground. You will start to see reflections that you couldn't see at eye level." - Suzanne Mathia

PEAK COLOR: Mid-to late October

DIRECTIONS: From Sedona, go north on State Route 89A, which passes through the canyon.

INFORMATION: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119 or www. fs.usda.gov/coconino CAMERA: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III; SHUTTER: 1/50 sec; APERTURE: f/8; ISO: 200; FOCAL LENGTH: 78 mm

LAKE POWELL BY GARY LADD

“Fall colors, combined with the slick-rock labyrinths, make for striking photographs if you're willing to hike up Lake Powell's side canyons. Explorer Canyon offers this fantastic headwall, dripping with spring water and supporting a tangle of vegetation at its foot. This picture was taken the second week of December.”

PEAK COLOR: Early November to mid-December DIRECTIONS: From Flagstaff, go north on U.S. Route 89 for 62 miles to U.S. Route 160. Turn right (east) onto U.S. 160 and continue 50 miles to State Route 98. Turn left onto SR 98 and continue 64 miles to Page, which is on the southern bank of Lake Powell. INFORMATION: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 928608-6200 or www.nps.gov/glca

CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS BY JACK DYKINGA PEAK COLOR: Early to mid-November DIRECTIONS: The Chiricahua Wilderness is located about 100 miles east of Tucson, and other nearby towns include Douglas and Willcox. State Route 80, which begins near Benson and ends at Interstate 10 in New Mexico (as New Mexico Route 80), intersects with several forest roads that lead to wilderness hiking trails. No motorized vehicles are permitted in the wilderness. INFORMATION: Coronado National Forest, Douglas Ranger District, 520364-3468 or www.fs.usda.gov/coronado HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS BY JACK DYKINGA

“Bigtooth maples in the Huachuca Mountains can be especially red. Their contrast to streamside yuccas is the sort of juxtaposition I'm drawn to. It could be just another scene from Vermont, but native desert plants, such as yuccas, define the locale.”

PEAK COLOR: Early to midNovember DIRECTIONS: Carr Canyon Road runs through several scenic areas in the Huachuca Mountains. From Tucson, go east on Interstate 10 for 37 miles to State Route 90. Turn right (south) onto SR 90 and continue for 27 miles to Carr Canyon Road. Turn right onto Carr Canyon Road. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and the narrow dirt road is not suitable for RVs.

INFORMATION: Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista Ranger District, 520-378-0311 or www.fs.usda.gov/coronado

WORKMAN CREEK BY CLAIRE CURRAN

Golden reflections grace these cascades for only a few minutes each day. The cascades are surrounded by maple trees, which drop their yellow leaves to create one of the best photo scenes on Workman Creek." - Claire Curran

PEAK COLOR:

Early November

DIRECTIONS:

Workman Creek crosses State Route 288, which runs from State Route 260 east of Payson to State Route 188 near Globe. From Globe, go north on SR 188 for 15 miles to SR 288. Turn right onto SR 288 and follow this winding, partially paved road for 27 miles to Workman Creek.

INFORMATION:

Tonto National Forest, Pleasant Valley Ranger District, 928-4624300 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto CAMERA: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III; SHUTTER: 1/4 sec; APERTURE: f/16; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 45 mm

HART PRAIRIE BY KIM HOSHAL

Hart Prairie, just outside Flagstaff, is one of the jewels of Northern Arizona. It's an uncommon place, full of colors and textures at the peak of fall. The rust and gold of prairie grasses give way to shimmering aspens, ponderosas and Bebb willows as the San Francisco Peaks rise more than 12,000 feet in the background. There, a light dusting of early snow occasionally greets a fortunate few." - Kim Hoshal

PEAK COLOR:

Early October

DIRECTIONS:

From Flagstaff, go west on U.S. Route 180 for 10 miles to Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie Road). Turn right onto FR 151 and continue for 3.6 miles to Hart Prairie.

INFORMATION:

CAMERA: Nikon D3X; SHUTTER: 1/25 sec; APERTURE: f/11; ISO: 100; FOCAL LENGTH: 70 mm

ARAVAIPA CANYON BY KERRICK JAMES

"I've always wanted to shoot Aravaipa Canyon with its cottonwoods in full golden glory, and when I made this photo, the color peaked during Thanksgiving week. Perennial water in the desert is, to me, something of a miracle, and the combination of warm-hued canyon walls, saguaros, golden leaves and the flowing stream beneath one's feet is irresistible." - Kerrick James PEAK COLOR: Midto late November DIRECTIONS: From Tucson, go north on State Route 77 for 51 miles to Aravaipa Road. Turn right onto Aravaipa Road, which is partially paved, and continue for 12 miles to the Aravaipa Canyon trailhead. From there, it's a moderate 1.5-mile hike to the western boundary of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness.

A permit from the Bureau of Land Management is required. INFORMATION: Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area, Brandenburg Ranger Station, 520-357-6185 or www.blm.gov/az CAMERA: Pentax 645D; SHUTTER: 1/25 sec; APERTURE: f/11; ISO: 200; FOCAL LENGTH: 60 mm

HAVASU CREEK BY SUZANNE MATHIA

"This spot is below Mooney Falls and is a beautiful respite for hikers and photographers. In fall, the giant cottonwood trees that tower over Havasu Creek provide a canopy of gold and yellow. To capture the flowing water, adjust your shutter speed to find the look that pleases you." Suzanne Mathia

PEAK COLOR: Late November to early December

DIRECTIONS: Havasu Creek is on Havasupai tribal land at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The creek runs through Supai, which is accessible only via hike, mule ride or helicopter from the Hualapai Hilltop, or via the Colorado River. From Historic Route 66 near Peach Springs, go north on Indian Route 18 for 65 miles to the Hualapai Hilltop.

INFORMATION: Havasupai Tribe, 928-448-2121 or www. havasupai-nsn.gov CAMERA: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III; SHUTTER: 1/13 sec; APERTURE: f/8; ISO: 200; FOCAL LENGTH: 50 mm

LOCKETT MEADOW BY BRYAN DAVID GRIFFITH

"Lockett Meadow is one of my favorite places to fall asleep to the sounds of bugling elk and yelping coyotes, then awaken to the first rays of sunrise burning through the frost and illuminating the changing aspens. While firefighters narrowly saved the meadow from the devastating Schultz Fire in 2010, the trees in the background of this photo lost their lives a reminder of how delicate this special place really is." - Bryan David Griffith

PEAK COLOR: Late September to early October

DIRECTIONS: From Flagstaff, go north on U.S. Route 89 for 12.5 miles to Forest Road 420. Turn left onto FR 420 and continue for approximately 1 mile to Forest Road 552. Turn right onto FR 552 and continue for 4.4 miles to Lockett Meadow.

INFORMATION: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866 or www. fs.usda.gov/coconino CAMERA: Calumet Wood Field 4x5; FILM: Fuji Velvia; SHUTTER: 1/22 sec; APERTURE: f/4; ISO: 50; FOCAL LENGTH: 150 mm