Our trip started on Saturday and took us out through Globe and Superior, the later of which I think is a real estate investment boom waiting to happen.  We cruised up route 88 which is a lonely stretch of asphalt that traverses through the outer fringe of the Superstition Mountains before spitting us out at the top of Roosevelt Lake.  

The plan was to camp on top of a mesa overlooking the lake and with any luck, we would have the place all to ourselves.  The recent and abundant rains had lifted any chance of fire restrictions and we have a bed full of wood to burn – good old fashion camping. Eventually route 88 turns to 288 and with that came a gravel road. I think the last time I was on gravel was the Escalante trip in September of 2003, so it felt good to hit a little washboard and feel the back end break free every now and again. Save a few trucks with ATV down in the flats by Roosevelt, we seemed to be the only caretakers of this sprawling section of the superstitions. As we climbed out of the Roosevelt gorge, the landscape began to change with elevation. Scrub Mesquite and saguaros were slowly replaced with field grasses, pinion pines and the occasional blooming century plant.   

Eventually the canyon the road follows gave way to the first plateau and giving us our first really look at the valley and lake below.  How could it be that we had never been to this part of Arizona we wondered as we slowly meandered across the first 2000 foot tall shelf over looking the lake? Our goal was forest route 488 which came highly recommended for its vistas and dispersed camping that dotted it’s perimeter.

As we approached the turn onto 488, we locked in the hubs so we can crawl around the vehicle parked at the intersection.  Almost immediately after turning onto FR488 you are greeted by oversized cottonwoods, a creek (Spencer I believe,) and a couple nice camping spots.  If you don’t have the ground clearance and don’t mind being only 50 meters or so from the less that busy main road, this spot’s for you.  We continued on, passing the hikers and traveling down the sometimes muddy and rutted road until we reached the end of the trail.  I must say, we were not all that impressed with the site.  Essentially a gravel cul-de-sac with little else for landscape.  We stretch our legs, looked over the cliff for a couple minutes, then spotted another mesa that looked like it was covered in field grasses and pinion pines.

We set out to find access to these golden fields and after a mile or so of backtracking, we entered mesa number two. The unmarked road was about the same as 488 with the exception of following a creek.  We twisted and turned up the road until we came to a stop at the point of the mesa overlooking the lake, valley, and a majestic view of Four Peaks. This would be home for the night.

Shasta, our dog, was happy to get out of the truck.  Clearly all the new smells overwhelmed her as she ran from edge to edge sniffing everything in between.  We unloaded the truck then sat on what seemed to be the edge of the world overlooking the ancient scenery that was so new to us.

After sunset we built a fire and began cooking in the Dutch oven. I have yet to master this process, but was able to produce some tasty salsa chicken on a bed of potatoes, carrots, and onions.  We ate, sat back, and watched the nearly full moon rise over our heads while pondering how to do this more often.  Eventually the wind picked up and we decided it was time to crash.

The next morning, we took a short hike and shot some pictures.  Pecan french toast was next on the list and after a short while with the stove, we were back on our perches eating breakfast and ease-dropping on the new day settling into the valley below.

We broke camp and made the decision to head up the mountain instead of down.  Up takes you into the town of Young and if you continue on, to the Mogollon Rim East of Payson. We actually just wanted to make a stop at Workman Creek Falls where there was supposed to be a spectacular falls. As we climbed, the arid landscape once again gave way to the new flora of tall pines, cottonwoods, and oaks.  After about 30 minutes of climbing, we crested the mountain and began to descend into a forest that was like none I’ve seen in Arizona.  Thick and lush with deep green firs, we realized this was not the typical ponderosa pine forests of the northern part of the state.  

Workman creek was deserted as we pulled up. Just us and the creek and what appeared to be the absence of a trail.  We packed up the camera gear and headed cross country to find the falls.  After a bit of tough hiking across the steep slope of the canyon, we arrived at a series of small waterfall. I shot pictures and Liz made a snowman in a section of melting snow – evidence of the last storm. After a little while, we hiked back, jumped in the truck, and continued up across four more peaks, through the town of Young, beside the aftermath of a past fire season and eventually to the terminus of route 288. 

Route 288 intersects highway 260 which cuts across the Mogollon Rim and connects Payson and Snowflake. We were tired and still a long way from home, but at least we had asphalt the rest of the way. We stopped for grub on the way out of Payson and made great time back to the valley; arriving just in time to watch the sun set over South Mountain.   

Sometimes you just need to get away to process life, gain perspective, and see something new.  You might as well get out there, because if you wait, you’ll only be one year older when you do.