Gear Up!
If you’re heading to Sedona to bike one of its many trails but forgot your ride, fear not. Sedona Bike & Bean, located across State Highway 179 from Bell Rock, rents mountain bikes. Call 928-284-0210 or visit bike-bean.com for more information.

(30) Bike Bell Rock Loop, Sedona Photos by Greg Galliano

28 Young Highway
Miami to Young
When autumn has arrived but it’s still searing outside, a drive to cooler temps is tempting. Try Highway 288, also known as Young Highway and Desert to Tall Pines Highway. The 77-mile drive begins with saguaros, gives way to sycamores and ends among pines and conifers. You’ll travel through the Sierra Ancha Mountains and into Young, the site of one of the West’s deadliest feuds, the Pleasant Valley War. Don’t be fooled by the road’s short length – you’ll need at least three hours to navigate the washboard dirt and blind hairpin turns. While the fall leaves will be colorful, your knuckles will be white.
Elevation: 2,100 to 7,600 feet
Directions: Take US 60 east to Highway 88. Proceed to the turnoff for Highway 288 near Miami. In Young, pick up Forest Route 512 to connect with Highway 260, east of Payson.
Driving Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes east to Miami (85 miles); 1 hour, 17 minutes to State Route 288/Forest Road 512 toward the Mogollon Rim (77 miles)
Lodging: Contact Tonto National Forest’s Pleasant Valley Ranger District at 928-462-4300 for camping options. Visit pleasant-
valleyinn.net for information on Young’s only motel. Visit paysonrimcountry.com for Payson options.
Info: arizonascenicroads.com

29 Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Between Payson & Pine
At 183 feet high, 400 feet long and up to 150 feet wide, Tonto Natural Bridge is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. In addition to several parking-level lookout points, the park has four short hiking trails. At 300 feet long, Waterfall Trail is the shortest, and at 2,200 feet down to the creek bottom, Gowan Trail is the longest. The park’s vegetation is dominated by oak, juniper and piñon trees, although some tasty, non-native Himalayan blackberry bushes have made it in. All trails are steep and strenuous.
Elevation: 4,530 feet
Directions: From Mesa, take Highway 87 north through Payson to Forest Road 583. Turn left. The park will be on the left.
Driving Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes (100 miles)
Hours: September: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; October through December: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: $3 park entrance fee; children 13 and under, free
Lodging: For nearby camping options, call 928-476-420 or visit
rimcountrychamber.com/lodging.htm.
Info: azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA

30 Bike Bell Rock Loop Sedona
With its gigantic red sandstone dome, Bell Rock looms over State Highway 179 like an Old West movie set. But for mountain bikers, it’s a cycling Shangri-La. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely loop near Bell Rock or a more rigorous ride on one of Sedona’s trails, the scenery is magnificent, and there’s a trail for every skill level.
Elevation: 4,500 feet
Directions: Take I-17 north to State Highway 179. Proceed until you see parking areas on the same side as Bell Rock.
Driving Time: 2 hours (110 miles)
Lodging: visitsedona.com
Info: redrockcountry.org/recreation

31 Tucson Open Studio Tour
Tucson
For two afternoons each fall, Tucson’s sculptors, painters, glass blowers – and even one eco-conscious shop owner who makes handbags from recycled vinyl billboards – open their studio doors to the public. The annual Tucson Open Studio Tour features 150 artists who explain their creative processes, answer questions and create art before visitors’ eyes. This year’s 15th-annual tour is scheduled for November 7-8. Map your route before you go, because no one could visit 150 studios in 10 short hours.
Elevation: 2,703 feet
Directions: Take I-10 east to Tucson. A detailed map of all participating studio locations is available at tusconpimaartscouncil.org.
Driving Time: 2 hours (111 miles)
Hours: noon to 5 p.m., November 7-8
Admission: Free
Lodging: visittucson.org
Info: tucsonpimaartscouncil.org