Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

Hike report for 11/14/24 – South Fork Maples

 

We were not disappointed this week:  many of the Bigtooth Maples along the South Fork trail were spectacular! 

 

   

There is such a variety of color in the leaves, causing one to wonder about which variables are responsible.  Why is this tree still bright green, and its neighbor crimson?  There are volumes written about this, but here is part of the explanation given by the USFS (Science of Fall Colors):

 

As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begin to paint the landscape with Nature's autumn palette…

During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanin that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.

A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays. During these days, lots of sugars are produced in the leaf but the cool nights and the gradual closing of veins going into the leaf prevent these sugars from moving out. These conditions – lots of sugar and light – spur production of the brilliant anthocyanin pigments, which tint reds, purples, and crimson.

               chlorophyll                           carotenoids                    anthocyanin

Our local hikers were joined for the first stretch by some visitors from Tucson and later joined by a visitor from Silver City.  

   

Five of us split off and took the Burro trail up past Red Rocks to the point where Log creek flows down.  We hauled out some debris left by a trail crew, then came back to Red Rocks to enjoy the view while we ate lunch.  

   

The other four kept hiking up the South Fork trail to the apple tree and some went beyond to where the trail leaves the creek.  Here is their report:

 

Four hikers continued to walk up South Fork after passing the Burro Trail turnoff. We walked to the Apple Tree, about four miles from our cars. We had lunch on the comfortable logs at the tree. One hiker turned around here while the other three walked another half mile to where the trail separates from the creek and begins to climb steeply. As everyone walked back down the trail we were met by a Silver City hiker who had hoped to join us but arrived a little late. The five of us were able to walk down the canyon together, exchanging information about Southern Arizona hikes. It was a lovely day, very cold at first but then warming enough that most of us ended the hike in our shirtsleeves. And we certainly saw color. Hikers walked either eight or nine miles, depending upon where they turned around.

Next week, we have permission to cross private land and hike up Mauser Canyon in the Peloncillos.  As always, bring lunch, plenty to drink, layers of clothing (a cold morning warming to almost 70 degrees), sun protection and good boots.  People can turn around at any point if they have arranged a ride.  Meet at the Rodeo Post Office at 9 AM.

Hike report & photos from Elaine and Carol

 

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