HikeArizona.COM

I plan to take a group of people to hike the Inner Basin Trail to see fall colors. When would it be most scenic?

Look at the triplogs and especially the photosets for the Inner Basin hike here:
http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=299

The dates on the photos from past years will give you a very good idea of when the leaves will look their best this year as well.

If it doesn't rain much more this year however, the colors won't be as vibrant and varied as in some other years.

Also, Coconino NF has a fairly-well-updated fall foliage page that is worth checking out as well.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recrea ... lors.shtml

But I would check back here on HAZ to view current triplogs and photos around October 1 to help you make your final decision.

Inception of Autumn Foliage varies annually. You can usually watch it trend from one place to another. However this is among the starting points in Arizona. The first week of Oct is a rough peak target. It's been known to start as early as the last couple days in September and drag as long as mid Oct.

Personal experience living in Flag: The inner basin and north side of the peaks are beginning to show some color on my birthday--9/30. The Coconino National Forest office has a person who collects "fall color" data and answers the phone calls:
(928) 527-3600, FAX 527-3620 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., M-F

fotogirl53 wrote:The Coconino National Forest office has a person who collects "fall color" data and answers the phone calls

I bet that duty would get tiresome after a while.

Thanks for the help, first week of October it is