FALL

(fall) n. that season of the year in which many trees lose their leaves; autumn; in the Northern Hemisphere, generally regarded as including the months of September, October and November.

Autumn,” Raymond Carlson wrote. “You will find autumn in the mountains along the road through the aspen. The leaves, a few weeks ago so green and shiny and sparkling in the sunlight, have turned to yellow, gold, red and brown. For the touch of autumn is a magic touch, and autumn is in the air. The wind tugs at the leaves. They fall to the ground to dance before the wind, and they are crisp and crunchy underfoot. Soon all the leaves will be gone from the aspen, and the branches, so white and delicate, will hum a different tune to the music of the wind.” Maple leaves display their autumn colors in the Sedona area. The deep red hues of maple leaves make these trees among the most spectacular providers of fall foliage in Arizona's high country.

Golden leaves form a backdrop for tall saguaros along Pinto Creek, near Globe. In contrast to the fastgrowing and short-lived leaves of deciduous trees, saguaros grow very slowly - only about an inch per year in their first eight years of life - and may live for 200 years or longer.

► SUE CULLUMBER

▲ GUY SCHMICKLE

Fallen Arizona sycamore leaves litter the rocks along Oak Creek north of Sedona. These trees, perhaps best known for their mottled white bark, are often found in the state's riparian canyons.

►ROBERT G. MCDONALD

Bigtooth maple leaves contrast with the needles of Douglas-fir and white fir trees near the edge of the Mogollon Rim. The Rim, an escarpment that forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, is a popular destination for leaf-peepers.

JACK DYKINGA

Considered for Back Cover, November 2022 At sunrise, Canada geese take flight from Cibola National Wildlife Refuge in Western Arizona. Established in 1964, the 18,000-acre refuge protects Colorado River wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife.

PAUL GILL

Considered for Back Cover, November 2022 Yellowing ferns embrace the long leaves of a yucca in Oak Creek Canyon. Arizona is home to a variety of yucca species, and these plants generally grow in semi-arid habitats.

Considered for Back Cover, November 2022 The blue-green water of Havasu Creek flows over travertine ledges amid fall foliage in Havasu Canyon, a tributary of the Grand Canyon. The creek and canyon, on Havasupai Tribe land, remained closed to tourism in 2022 amid ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

► JACK DYKINGA

The South Fork of Cave Creek, in the Chiricahua Mountains of Southeastern Arizona, reflects the fall colors of Arizona sycamores and bigtooth maples. The Chiricahuas are among several “sky island” ranges found in the southern part of the state.

A cascade of color from changing leaves contrasts with the red rocks of Oak Creek Canyon. In autumn, maples, walnuts and oaks are among the tree species that put on a vibrant display in the canyon.

Aspen leaves collect on the surface of a puddle at Hart Prairie, northwest of Flagstaff. Hart Prairie Preserve, a 245-acre Nature Conservancy site, protects the world's largest community of Bebb willows.

► BYRON NESLEN

Considered for The Nature of Autumn, October 2022 An explosion of fall color combines with a vibrant sunrise at the Bull Pen Ranch area, east of Camp Verde in Central Arizona. This location can be accessed via forest roads 618 and 215, which lead to the Bull Pen Day Use Area and several trailheads.

Considered for Scattered Leaves, October 2022 A small maple displays its intense autumn hues along a creek in the Sedona area. Generally, midOctober to mid-November is the best time of year to spot fall color near Sedona.

JACK DYKINGA

Considered for The Nature of Autumn, October 2022 Yuccas and bigtooth maples combine for a unique autumn scene in the Huachuca Mountains of Southern Arizona. An excellent way to explore the east side of the Huachucas is via Carr Canyon Road, provided the weather is good and you have a high-clearance vehicle.

The exact location you'll meet your inner foodie.

Visit a new state of mind.

Food worth traveling for.

We tapped the insider knowledge of Arizona's culinary movers, shakers, and makers to find the places (and plates) they deem worthy of a road trip. Here's what they shared.

My husband and I have a condo in Phoenix, walking distance from two of the best hidden gems: Dick's Hideaway, which is incredibly cool, and The Rokerij, an underground bar and eatery. Both spots have such a warm and upbeat vibe. We love Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, so these are really up our alley."

The Pancho wood-fired pizza at Old County Inn in Pine. It's a green chile pork pizza, and it's one of my favorites. Plus, great food and scenery."

I drive, and will continue to drive, to Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix. The crust is perfect! I love the pizza margherita with tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. I'm all about using quality ingredients to make the best desserts for our guests, and I love to see other chefs passionate about doing the same."

Tlacoyos from El Tlacoyo in Tempe. This is southern Mexico fare from Pachuca Hidalgo, about an hour north of Mexico City. The namesake dish is pure heaven in your mouth: two nixtamalized corn fritters with black beans and topped with feathery pulled chicken, onions, cilantro and crema Mexicana, all in a tomatillo broth. It beats driving all the way to Mexico City."