Mogollan Rim Meanderings

Travels and adventures.
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Rokrover
Posts: 201
Joined: December 31st, 2016, 5:57 am

Mogollan Rim Meanderings

Post by Rokrover »

Our neighbors escape summer heat in Show Low and extol the virtues of Fool Hollow Lake as a premier RV destination. Indeed, the lake is very popular with over 120 well groomed sites and advance reservations are necessary to secure a spot. Only an attractive scenic drive through Salt River Canyon heading to the Mogollan Rim north of Globe could lure us to such a crowded area in the middle of a tourist city.

The Salt River Canyon lived up to expectations as a natural wonder. The Chinook even provided a “selfie” opportunity before descending switchbacks with the unpleasant aroma of toasting brake pads a reminder to heed posted speed advisories. Traffic on US-60 slowed to a crawl through Show Low and we were glad to escape to the relative calm of Fool Hollow Lake.

Our site was a 90’ concrete pad more suitable as landing strip for a Phaeton than a modest Chinook. At least the lake was a short hike down the hill with a nice trail to exercise our doggie. A fun place too for those of the fishing persuasion but we moved on early next morning to the quieter community of Alpine.

Our next overnight was at Hannagan Campground in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This was more to our liking with no fees on a first-come, first-served basis. There were 8 modest sites and the campground host had just left for the season. The lack of hookups was to our advantage as a convoy of Cruise America rental RV’s decided to move on leaving us to welcome solitude.

Hannagan is one of the highest campgrounds in Arizona at over 9,000’ and already beautiful fall colors were showing due to the elevation. Our hiking trail was an overgrown forest service road flanked by colorful new-growth aspens after a devastating 2011 fire. The area is popular with hunters too and turkey season had just started. The only flock we saw was foraging about unconcerned.

Naturally a campfire was in order and a brief rain shower obliged to thoroughly douse it before we departed next morning. Fog swirled through the pines and we had to be extra cautious driving down serpentine mountain grades off the rim. All too soon we left the wilderness scenery behind to pass through the mining scar of Morenci. For those fascinated by huge equipment and a lunar landscape this would be a destination in its own right.
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Chinook "selfie" before heading down
Chinook "selfie" before heading down
We have to go down there?
We have to go down there?
Safely on the other side
Safely on the other side
Ted C. / SW Arizona
"The Blue Chook" 2002 Concourse Owner: 2013-2019
Rokrover
Posts: 201
Joined: December 31st, 2016, 5:57 am

Re: Mogollan Rim Meanderings

Post by Rokrover »

A few pictures from Hannagan Campground in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest...
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Campground entrance off US-191
Campground entrance off US-191
MRC_1062.jpg
An idyllic campsite
An idyllic campsite
Ted C. / SW Arizona
"The Blue Chook" 2002 Concourse Owner: 2013-2019
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