HIKE OF THE MONTH

and the Four Peaks straight ahead. A mile after that, the road crests a hill before gently descending — a pattern you'll repeat several times on this drive. You'll also encounter numerous side roads for exploring the area; the first is Forest Road 88, at Mile 2.5. To stay on FR 60, though, bear right.

Before long, you'll come to the first of several expansive panoramas of the lake, which was created when Theodore Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911. When full, the reservoir is 22.4 miles long and has 128 miles of shoreline, and its dam is one of five on the Salt River, which supplies much of the Phoenix area's water supply. Pull over at the hairpin curve at Mile 5.2 to get an excellent view of this vital body of water.

The road next curves around Bull Mountain, a low-slung butte studded with tall saguaros, before descending into a canyon and passing a quiet ranch property. After crossing a wash and climbing a steep, rocky slope, you'll come to a smoother section and get a look at the Sierra Ancha's Dutchwoman Butte on the right. You'll enjoy intermittent views of the lake for the next several miles, and at Mile 15, you'll come to the Salome Canyon Trailhead, from which the Jug Trail leads into the adjacent Salome Wilderness.

A section of prickly pears and yuccas is next, followed by another area dominated by tall saguaros along the road and on the hillside to the right. After a few more lake panoramas, the road continues downhill and enters a rocky, less-vegetated landscape of layered buttes that look like distant cousins of those in Northern Arizona's Painted Desert. By Mile 21, you'll be back among creosote bushes, teddy bear chollas and a few saguaros, and it's an easy descent from there to a “T” intersection and a return to the pavement.

ADDITIONAL READING:

Scenic Drives: 100 of the Best Places to Explore Arizona by Car features 100 of the Grand Canyon State's best driving routes, many of which are accessible in any vehicle. To order, visit shoparizonahighways .com/100scenicdrives.

TOUR GUIDE

Note: Mileages are approximate.

LENGTH: 27.7 miles one way (from State Route 288) DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and State Route 188 in the Globe-Miami area, go north on SR 188 for 14.6 miles to State Route 288. Turn right onto SR 288 and continue 12.7 miles to A-Cross Road (Forest Road 60). Turn left onto A-Cross Road and continue 24 miles to a “Y” intersection. Bear right, onto Cline Boulevard, and continue 3.7 miles to SR 188 in Tonto Basin.

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: A high-clearance vehicle, such as an SUV or truck, is required, but four-wheel-drive is not necessary in good weather. The route crosses several washes and Tonto Creek, so do not attempt it after recent heavy rain or if rain is in the forecast. (If the creek crossing is flooded, use the recently completed Tonto Creek Bridge farther north.) WARNING: Back-road travel can be hazardous, so be aware of weather and road conditions. Carry plenty of water. Don't travel alone, and let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

INFORMATION: Tonto Basin Ranger District, 602-225-5395 or fs.usda.gov/tonto Travelers in Arizona can visit az511.gov or dial 511 to get information on road closures, construction, delays, weather and more.

HIKE of the month BELL TRAIL Like so many of the trails in Red Rock Country, the Bell Trail is an option any time of year, but the best time might be autumn, when the cottonwoods turn to gold.

There's no definitive set of variables that define a perfect hike. It varies from person to person and place to place. In the arid Southwest, water is an important element. Scenery, accessibility and difficulty are part of it, too. And so is a nice payoff. By those measures, the Bell Trail would seem to have it all. What's more, it's doable any time of year, and the best time might be autumn, when the riparian canopy of cottonwoods and sycamores turns to gold. The only downside is the foot traffic, which can be heavy at times. But if you go on a weekday, you'll find plenty of solitude. And getting there is easy.

From the Sedona exit off Interstate 17. Actually, there are two trailheads, which can be a little confusing. The first is the Bruce Brockett Trailhead, which features a large parking area that can accommodate horse trailers. It's good for RVs, too. But anyone can park there - from the lot, there's a short connector trail that leads to the Bell Trail. The primary trailhead, however, is a quarter-mile farther down the road. There's a restroom and plenty of parking.

From that lot, the trail begins as a wide, rocky red-dirt path. Almost immediately, you'll start to hear the sounds of Wet Beaver Creek, which runs yearround and is home to smallmouth bass and trout. About 10 minutes in, the trail dips down and passes through a fence. To the south is the riparian area, one of the most beautiful in Arizona. And to the north is a hillside covered with grasses and prickly pear cactuses. If the sun is shining and the time is right, the plants look as if they're being illuminated with fiber optics.

A few minutes later, you'll arrive at an intersection with the Bruce Brockett Trail, which leads to the horse trailer lot and

The trailhead is located a stone's throw