Where is your go-to place in AZ? Where is your happy place?

In Arizona, my happy place is that spot in the Oak Trees below Devil's Chasm in the Sierra Ancha. Otherwise, I would say I love Mt. Graham!

Devil's Chasm was always a great hike.   I took my wife there on our second adventure together (long before any wedding plans were getting made) 

My absolute favorite camping spot is a little tough to get to both in terms of terrain and in terms of local politics because it's on tribal land but this is the morning view from the tent.   The first time I stayed there I was alone and a lightning storm rolled in at sunset which was an experience that defies description.

 
Favorite summer get-away within Arizona is the East side near Reservation lake,  or during winter renting a room or cabin from Hannigan Meadow Lodge.    I don't think I'd do either as just an overnighter or even a stopover within a larger trip just because it's such a long drive from anywhere but if you have several days to unplug and just read under a rain tarp there are worse places.    Rainstorms and lightning over there can be exciting events too!

@4x_admin Loved the Sierra Ancha trip!! That was a good place to mention. Also Mt. Graham is great as well. 

Here is some photos of our Sierra Ancha trip with Christian. 

@shovel Soo cool thanks for sharing!!

@collin-leuthold My happy place is the entire state of Arizona!! There are too many great places to choose just one; however, my top five are Canyon Lake, Salt River, Mogollon Rim, Ironwood Forest National Monument, and Mt. Graham.

@collin-leuthold, I was back in AZ this past week.., shout out to Scott @4x_admin & "Chasing Thunderstorms".  I'm not sure if I made it the exact area, but I got as close as where I thought it was. Flagstaff - Mt Humphreys north slope.  Off FR151 to Bismarck Lake trailhead.  Spent (3) days/nights in beautiful 50 degree weather while the valley was at 100 plus.  Absolutely gorgeous conifers and aspens everywhere!  Elk and deer are plentiful around sunset. Very minimal traffic this far back on forest road - once you pass Hart Prairie Preserve.  I think we only saw (4) cars the entire time. Hard to imagine that you're in AZ when you are here. Bismarck Lake trail goes approx 1.5 miles to intersect with Arizona trail.  You can go south about another 3 miles to Snowbowl or....... if you feel ambitious, go left at intersection and Utah is only 189 miles away Hahaha.

GPS : 35.363735, -111.735440

Directions : From Flagstaff, take US-180 approx (9) miles to FR151 on right. Go another (7) miles just past Hart Prairie Preserve.., make a right on FR627 for Bismarck Lake Trail Head.  Camping location is last spot on left before you reach trail head parking lot.

@debaru Awesome! I love AZ too it is so beautiful. It definitely gets a bad wrap sometimes! Thank you for commenting!! Hope you are doing well! 

-Collin 🙂

@victor-fraire Looks relaxing! I will definitely have to check that out Victor thank you! Flag is awesome to camp in! Theres so many places up there! I love it. Thanks for commenting! 

@collin-leuthold great post!

@victor-fraire looks like a beautiful spot with great views! But, it wasn't where the Chasing Thunderstorms episode ( https://youtu.be/tJLxgKBOd0s) was filmed.  My spot is up by the Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trailhead. Here is the GPS: 35.38458823645262, -111.67802074257364

It's up the hill from the trailhead quite a bit. This spot is nice in the same area: 35.38429972193534, -111.67919149842065

I've also camped here: 35.38441245281463, -111.67563898212511 which is further back and gets no traffic.

I filmed an episode ( https://youtu.be/PqVA9T8HhDo) last year at this spot: 35.379213622182654, -111.68939267557197 which is accessed off of FR418 at this turn off: 35.385376836348634, -111.69027616661134

I have also camped here in the area: 35.38687330983831, -111.69068964220193 which has excellent views. Camped here with @aaron-stanton once or twice I think.

Note, the easiest way to access this area by far is by driving to this turn-off on the highway: 35.3976042301954, -111.75923056375072 and following the FR151 to the junction with FR418. Takes half the time than from the other FR151 entry further south on the highway. So, you have to pass Arizona Nordic Village on the highway.

@4xadmin

@4x_admin very specific, I'll have to spend some time figuring out the route before I check it out! Thanks Dad! 

Az a native of Arizona, I’ve never desired to live anywhere else. After a short stint in California, many years ago, I met my wife, and brought her back to my happy place, Arizona! Some 30 years later, after a short stint in Key West, Florida, to grieve after her passing, I missed my happy place, Arizona!

 As much as I loved the ocean, and water sports, like kayaking, paddling, jet skiing, and sailing, I missed my happy place in Arizona. I missed my mountains, and sunrises, and sunsets! The fresh smell of the desert, and creosote after the rain. The wildlife out back! The short drive to Ponderosa Pine trees above! Yes, my Arizona called me back again. I’m fortunate to have such a beautiful view from my patio for my Coffee Sunrise every morning, to put me in my happy place every day! Such a beautiful pallet made by the creator; however, you wish to define that in your own way, God, Allah, Great Spirit, Universal Source, or collective mind, its is a awesome beauty we have to experience on this 3^rd rock from the Sun.

So, I am thankful to have a very special spot, to start my day, in a happy place. To start my dream, of visiting many future happy places to see, but to also reflect on the many happy places I’ve been!

My true happy place would be sharing any of those happy places, with special people in my life, which make those happy places even more happy and special! Look forward to hopefully experiencing some of mine, and some of your happy places together some day in the future!

Here is just a small sample of my morning Coffee happy place just yesterday! Made for a glorious morning, and a beautiful view to share with you all and many others!! Added a few of wildlife from the past, all these taken just in my back yard.

Thanks for sharing your happy spots as well.

JohnPaulT.

@john-twarog Hey man! Thanks for sharing! I am a native as well, and I definitely love living in AZ as well, there is just so many places to go! Beautiful sunsets!!

-Collin 

Though I now live in New Mexico, I have loved living in Arizona for over 32 years. I have explored the heck out of that state and have a long list of favorite places.