Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 98F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..
A few clouds. Low 81F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Kuma hikes the upper part of the lake.
Kuma hikes the upper part of the lake.
Although we have wonderful local options for hiking, when the warmer temps arrive, we try to head north in search of cooler weather. We’ve been over to eastern Arizona before but never spent much time in the town of Show Low. Mom and I went away together to enjoy some R&R. For us, that means adventures.
Show Low is the largest city in the White Mountains and is one of the fastest-growing cities in northern Arizona. It got its name from a card game and translates to “Turn of Card.” Throughout town, you will see card images.
Show Low is only three to three and a half hours from Phoenix. It would be a full day trip but doable. We opted, however, to stay at the Days Inn in Show Low. It is pet friendly and provides a real breakfast each morning at the Show Low Café. That meant I got bacon.
One of the hikes we did while in Show Low was Fool Hollow Lake, located off Old Linden Road just about 15 minutes from town. You have two ways to get there depending upon where you start from, so we suggest you just use Google Maps. It’s easy. Here’s the link to the recreational area: azstateparks.com/fool-hollow.
To enter, you must pay $10 per vehicle over the weekend or $7 Monday to Thursday. Dogs are welcome on leash, and there is ample parking and human restrooms throughout. This is a 150-acre lake surrounded by pine and Juniper trees that got its name from Thomas Jefferson Adair, who moved to the area in 1885 to start a farm. Locals said, “Only a fool would try to farm that land,” and the name stuck.
Besides hiking, you can go fishing, swimming, camping or picnicking. It’s a beautiful setting, and the day we went, we had it all to ourselves. Unlike Lynx Lake here in Prescott, the hiking trail does not go around the entire lake. We thought we read online that it did, but you must take two trails to see most of the lake.
All hiking by the lake is easy to moderate, and the total is 3.5 miles. We recommend you drive to the upper part first. From the ranger station, follow signs to the boat ramp. Park by the restrooms and take the paved path until it ends. You can either call it good or take the dirt path just above the veranda there, and it takes you to the campground via the lake’s edge.
It’s breathtaking! You are above the lake looking down and will enjoy all the rock formations on its edge. The trail here isn’t well marked — just keep following the lake and skirting the campground. We sat at one of the picnic tables and listened to all the geese. They were quite chatty! Turn around from the campground and head back the way you came.
By the way, this looks like a fabulous campground! Many of the sites have incredible lake views. They are spread out well and have some privacy. Mom and I were bummed that we no longer have our camper trailer, although this is a long haul from Phoenix.
Anyway, once back to your car, head toward the exit. Just before the exit is a parking lot on your right for the Fool Hollow Lake trail (it’s marked). This is a dirt lot and dirt path, but it is all very flat. You can go either left or right but know both trails are out and back, meaning they do not connect. Again, no trails go completely around the lake, as it has too many fingers and arms to it.
We went to the left because it seemed a little more scenic as the right goes past some lake houses. All up to you. You can do just one direction or both. All in all, we were out about three hours, and our breakfast was spent.
Mom thought we would drive toward Lakeside and found a quaint little place right off the 260 called The Bistro at Annie’s. Parking is limited, so we felt lucky to get a spot right by the door. Their outside patio is dog friendly with a lovely porch.
The place is nicely decorated and has great customer service. Prices were reasonable, and should you go, you must try their quiche Lorraine and prickly pear iced tea. Hey, did they name that after my mom? She is French.
Mom got me a side of bacon to eat. I was a happy boy! This was a full day and our favorite hike of the trip. You really can spend hours upon hours at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, as there is so much to see and do. Enjoy life!
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever.
Enjoy my blog at https://bit.ly/kuma0901, follow me on Facebook
@kumathedog or Instagram @kumaitothedog.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.
Arizonans now have eve…
The Talbot family, amo…
Brian Fernandez has be…
The Anthem Rotary Club…
The Cave Creek Museum …
Until 2010, women in t…
The Carefree Water Com…
The hot season is here…
Arizonans now have even more choices to support their favorite charitable cause, as the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is making available four new specialty license plates.
The Talbot family, among others in this country who share generations of military service and sacrifice, helped make American history on the sea and in the air. For that, we are grateful.
Sandy Cuttino, a former Air Force civil service employee with love and respect for the military, is the newly elected president of the American Legion Post 34 auxiliary.
Often a Facebook post or a picture on Instagram is relevant evidence in a court proceeding. While the importance of some type of social media post, text or even doorbell camera footage may be obvious to the person seeking to offer it, there are still legal and practical hurdles that must be …
Brian Fernandez has been elected commander of American Legion Post 34 after spending his entire adult life in service, including seven years in the organization.
Coming off of the Independence Day holiday weekend, nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant is urging eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood and reminding the public that patient needs for both routine and emergency blood transfusions don’t take a holiday.
At the July 18 council meeting, Cave Creek town council unanimously approved a resolution to formally oppose Maricopa County’s schedule change for green waste collection, which reduces collections to quarterly instead of on all operating days.
The Anthem Rotary Club is hosting a fundraising event on Saturday, July 30 to support the victim shot in the Andrew Z Diamonds & Fine Jewelry robbery that occurred July 12.
The Cave Creek Museum has created a number of membership levels and opportunities for individuals and businesses.
Until 2010, women in the Navy were not permitted to serve on submarines. They could, however, work on them in port.