Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

TUCSON - The White Mountains of Eastern Arizona are an anomaly - too much green, too much water, too many pastoral scenes to be in a state that's stereotyped as being nothing but desert. But there they are. Arizona's version of Eden. Indeed, the White Mountains are among the most beautiful places in the state, and despite the Wallow Fire of 2011, that paradise wasn't lost.

Today on News 4 at 4, Editor-in-Chief Robert Stieve stopped by the studios to preview the May issue of Arizona Highways. In it, the hills are alive and well - and so are the mountains, meadows and streams.
Here are descriptions of some of the featured pictures:

1) A rainbow slices through a monsoon cloud over Jacques Marsh, between Show Low and Lakeside.

2) Hannagan Meadow is one of the White Mountains' most popular places.
Watch the sun rise over Hannagan Meadow: The flames from the Wallow Fire spared this idyllic spot, which emerges from the damage along U.S. Route 191 like a fairy-tale oasis. The feeling of enchantment is, perhaps, strongest in the early morning as the sun rises over the tree line. Deer, elk, even a bobcat might materialize in the clearing to hold you spellbound.

3) At sunrise, a light mist lifts from the still surface of Hawley Lake, a popular fishing and camping destination southeast of Pinetop-Lakeside.

4) The Great Kiva is a major attraction at Casa Malpais, near Springerville.
Explore Casa Malpais Archaeological Park, Springerville: The name Casa Malpais, "House of the Badlands," refers to the broken basaltic terrain on which the Mogollon people build this 13th century fissure pueblo. Accessible only by guided tour, the National Historic Landmark includes an ancient observatory where artists etched petroglyphs to create a solar calendar, leaving their mark for all time

5) Cibecue means "surrounded by red cliffs," which is what you'll be on this dramatic trek along a tributary of the Salt River. Alternately hiking, boulder-hopping and splashing through a narrowing canyon to a 50-foot waterfall, you'll gladly give in to the adventure but get a permit from the White Mountain Apaches first. Hiking beyond Lower Falls requires a guide.

6) Pick up the May issue of Arizona Highways on newsstands now and check out 50 things to do in the White Mountains this summer. Whether you go for the food, sight-seeing, hiking, camping or boating, you're sure to have a good time - there's something for everyone.

Be sure to follow Arizona Highways on Facebook for contests, information and upcoming events!

https://www.facebook.com/azhighways

You can see more of the magazine and subscribe to Arizona Highways here:

http://www.arizonahighways.com