Apache National Forest

About Apache National Forest

The Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests were administratively merged in 1974 and are now managed as a unit by the Forest Supervisor's Office in Springerville. What makes these forests so special and what makes them so unique in terms of their natural and cultural significance?

The White Mountains include several rivers in Arizona, including the Black, Little Colorado and San Francisco. The Apache and Sitgreaves have the highest elevation of all national parks in the USA and the second highest elevation in Arizona. Sit Greaves was named after the government topographer who led the first scientific expeditions to Arizona in the early 1850s.

Sitgreaves is home to the Mogollon Rim, a chain of artificial lakes, and at the height of the Rim, a 7,600-foot lookout offers inspiring views of the lower country to the south and west.

From Big Lake to Sunset The US Army has built a number of forts in New Mexico and Arizona over the last century. Military roads were built to link these fortified settlements, and part of the road, the General Crook Trail, runs almost the length of Sitgreaves and follows the edge of Rim in many places.

The Apache National Forest is named after the tribe that settled in the area, but the Apache are also known for their cultural and religious beliefs and history. The wilderness in the Blue Range Primitive Area, which Congress designated as Mount Baldy, Escudilla, Bear Wallow and Wilderness Wilderness, stretches 3,500 feet above Clifton. This makes it one of the largest wilderness areas in New Mexico and Arizona with a total area of 1.5 million square miles.

The Apache-Sitgreaves provide habitat for over 400 species of animals, and the forest is home to more than 1,000 different plant and animal species. The management of Apache Sit Grives includes the management of the land in accordance with the desired standard for the protection and conservation of wildlife and their habitat.

The wild animals of the forest are most active at dusk and early morning and everywhere if you look closely enough. Deer and elk come out to eat and observe each other at the edge of the forest. Lucky wildlife watchers can spot the newly introduced Mexican grey wolf (pictured A) Wolf Painting A leisurely ride through the twilight brings wonderful rewards, as this forest is home to a variety of wildlife species, from coyotes and wolves to deer, elk, bear, wolf, coyote, fox, wild boar, peregrine falcon, elk and more.

Sightings of large predators are considered very special, but sightings of larger predators such as coyotes, bears, wolves and coyotes are rare - like animals.

The Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests are a great place to see ospreys hovering over clear mountain lakes or listen to the cheerful song of mountain chicks. The forests are home to a variety of birds and offer many unforgettable moments.

The Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests are also considered one of the country's top forests for fishing. In addition to a good pair of binoculars, pick up a few from your local county office and drive to the Apache National Forest Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

The Apache and Sitgreaves cover 1.5 million square miles (3.2 million acres) in the southern part of the state. Species include the Apache, Apache Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Navajo and Apache River Bighorns, as well as many other species.

Be sure to check the state fishing regulations before wetting your lines, and bring your favorite gear and try your luck.

Hiking as a form of recreation is a modern development, but in the past hiking was a traditional way of life for people with limited access to the forest environment. Early paths led in a straight line, which represented the fastest way between two points. These paths have been designed to lead from one place to another, and were built to give a wide range of users the opportunity to experience the unique environment that forest areas offer.

The journey counts as much as the destination, and the Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests offer a wide range of trails, from straight trails to curved trails. Each trail is built to a different standard, depending on what the intended user wants and the level of difficulty he reaches.

Wilderness and primitive trails are designed for hikers and horses, and there is a wide range of trails in these areas that can cover a wider user base.

The forest offers several barrier-free trails, including the White Mountain Trail System, Rim Trail and Great Lakes Trail. Many of the forest trails are also part of a White Mountain Trail System, run in partnership with volunteers from Pinetop Lakeside Tracks. The forest is home to a variety of wildlife such as owls and eagles, as well as birds of prey and other wildlife such as coyotes, foxes, bears, wolves and coyotes.

Due to the dramatic difference in altitude in the forest, sudden storms and weather changes are possible. Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests offer a four-season recreational experience in a range of environments, from mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and hiking to hiking and camping.

Even in summer, cool nights are expected at higher altitudes, and periodic thunderstorms are also common in July and August. The usage times vary depending on altitude and strain, but even in summer at the highest altitude, cooler nights await you.

At higher altitudes, it can snow from May to June, sometimes even until October and November.

A look at the forest map should make it clear that the possibilities of mountain biking are almost unlimited. Given the growing popularity of this new and exciting sport, this forest has taken steps to create a place where mountain bikers can enjoy themselves without causing too much harm to the environment or to the health and safety of the people and animals in the area.

The best way to find the unmarked bonanzas is to get a forest map and search for the unshaded, double continuous lines in the upper left corner of the map that indicate primitive roads or dirt roads. Many of these paths leading into the forest are built to accommodate the rough terrain and bicycles that have developed in recent decades in response to the rapid growth of mountain bikes. There are also some little-used forest roads where motorised traffic is rare enough not to hinder cycling.

If you have the time and desire, you can approach the situation differently than discovering the forest from a new perspective. The next step is to select a place that you find interesting and that will take you to another part of the park or to another place.