Perhaps, it is the holiday time of year that inspires me to listen to Christmas carols on the stereo; but I cannot help singing Jingle Bells, one of the old Christmas favorites as I view the majesty of the world on top of the Mogollon Rim. It might be strange on my part; but I just can’t help it.

“Dashing Through the Snow.” Not quite, not yet, not today. As I stand on the rugged edge of one of the most spectacular viewing points of the Mogollon Rim, I see hundreds of feet down into a valley of evergreen trees stretching for miles like a rolling sea of green. The day is crisp with a cool breeze which races from the basin below up the cragged edge to push slightly against me as if warning me of the sheer drop from the escarpment of the Colorado Plateau into the deep desert basin below. No snow today, however I recall a time when we encountered many inches of snow in this same area fetching “the best Christmas tree ever” (always bigger than our house could hold) with our forest service Christmas tree permit (always an orange tag to be placed on the trunk).

“In a One-Horse Open Sleigh.” Not quite, not today We drove up in our four-wheel drive truck, listening to songs of Christmas. The dirt road, Forest Service Road #300, cuts off State Highway 87 north of Payson and stretches approximately 40 miles east until Woods Canyon Lake. After the Woods Canyon Lake turnoff, the last three miles are paved to connect with State Highway 260, boasting approximately 43 miles of road expanding on the edge of beauty, an escarpment of magnificence. Most of the road is not paved, therefore in snow or rain the road may get slick or muddy making it tricky to traverse. Yet, on both the Coconino National Forest side and the Apache-Sitgreaves side, a paradise of forest service trails allows four-wheelers and horses in designated areas. I’m sure if one had a notion of hooking up a sleigh to a horse (hopefully better disciplined than our horse) you should be able to ride in a one-horse open sleigh along the Mogollon Rim. 

“O’er the fields we go, Laughing all the way.” Not quite, not fields, not today. More like o’er a bit bumpy of a dirt forest service road with a few wash-boardy places here and there. But definitely, laughing every time we hit smooth ground and enjoying the breath-taking, “AWE” moments every time we pull over in the pull outs along the rim to view the rugged splendor of nature.

“Bells on bob tail ring, making spirits bright.” No, not quite, no bells today. However listening to the melodies of the many species of different birds inhabiting The Rim is splendid. Seeing a blue jay near Woods Canyon Lake, unafraid of our intrusion is a rare and marvelous treat. The list of wildlife such as birds, squirrels, elk, and deer gracing these magnificent lands are numerous and a regal and spectacular gift from mother nature that make spirits bright and happy.“

“What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.” Well, maybe not, not for some. Definitely fun for me! When I ride in the truck, I like to sing to Christmas carols in a loud, cheerful voice, giving the song all the gusto I have. And while I think louder is better, I’m pretty sure after 43 miles (rather slow because of the unpaved road), others may think PURE QUIETNESS is fun.

“JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAY!!!”

The magnificence of the Mogollon Rim in my eyes is almost unsurpassable. The beauty of this rugged escarpment reaching over 200 miles, claimed by Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests on the north, dropping off into Tonto National Forest on the south, is perhaps indescribable even for the most talented of lyricists and poets. Considered the Transition Highlands by many, the craggy Mogollon Rim rises from the desert basin of central Arizona, boasting an escarpment as high as 2,000 feet in some locations, creating a mountainous edge between the Colorado Plateau and the desert basin below.

The Rim offers a variety of interests for all. Historically, the Rim has been inhabited by the prehistoric cultures including the Mogollon and Salado. Many Native American tribes including the Apache traversed and inhabited the Mogollon Rim. If you like history, you will want to see and perhaps hike the General George Crook trail. This trail stretches for approximately 200 miles connecting Fort Whipple, Fort Verde to Fort Apache and used for a supply trail, built in the early 1870’s. If hiking and history interest you, you may want to consider hiking the Cabin Loop Trail which connects cabins built and used in 1914 until the 1960’s for forest service management. The General Springs cabin, built in 1918, was named after General George Crook because it is thought he used the spring nearby while traveling. 

If you like fishing, there is an abundance of trout dancing to the surface of Woods Canyon Lake. (Dang it! I didn’t come prepared to fish!) Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, Knoll Lake, Chevelon Canyon Lake are just a few of the bodies of water which grace The Rim. Some offer the opportunity of trout fishing. Usually stocked by Arizona Game and Fish, these lakes are a treasure for the avid fisherman. If you like hunting, there are numerous hunts available for elk, deer and other wildlife.

And if you are a singer at heart, take a leisurely drive for 43 miles on FS#300 while singing Christmas carols at the top of your lungs, thinking how Jingle Bells is a true depiction of the Mogollon Rim. (Sort of) Merry, Merry Christmas!!! May all your travels be filled with song, laughter, and the spirit of Jingle Bells! May you experience the splendor of peace and goodwill in 2022. Happy New Year!

“JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAY!!!”