Autumn is a great time of year to visit

800-dogtown16-10-06-1WILLIAMS — In the winter there are plenty of places to play in the snow. Oak Hill snow play area is about six-miles east of Williams and people line south road to find their favorite slide place. The spring melts the snow to create the creeks running through Williams bringing life-giving water. This leads to spring flowers and a summer of fishing, hiking and camping.

In autumn, however, the changing leaves of the aspens, oaks and other trees bring an incomparable beauty. There are still good places to hike and get photographs. There are still deer and elk running about, so caution while driving the roads is highly recommended.

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Bill Williams Mountain road is a popular drive this time of year.

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Although the Aspens are bare along Dogtown road, the oaks and other trees still provide a nice drive.


The sad part is that the aspens did not fill out this year as they have in years past even with the heavy monsoon season. There are still some nice examples along Bill Williams Mountain road. There are still even some flowers blooming along the way.

The entrance to Bill Williams Mountain Road—officially FR 111—is located about four-miles out Perskinsville Road which runs past Santa Fe dam. 800-finger16-10-06-1Along FR-111 you can stop off at Finger Rock for some good photographs from the trail.

Speaking of Santa Fe dam, you can stop there and walk the trail along the reservoir. Two-miles down Perkinsville Road is the turn off for Dogtown road. On the opposite side is Benham Trail. The trail runs all the way to Bill Williams Mountain road. This is a beautiful, somewhat strenuous, hike.

The view from Bill Williams Mountain Road shows the immensity of the Kaibab National Forest.

The view from Bill Williams Mountain Road shows the immensity of the Kaibab National Forest.


The Aspens and Buckskinner Park usually make a nice photograph, but they did not fill out as usual. At the park area, the Buckskinner trail head lead to a number of trails which make for great hiking and photographic opportunities.

About six-miles east of Williams is the Oak Hill Snow Play area. Across Route 66 from there is a mile trail to the Keyhole Sink where you can enjoy the autumn hike to see the petroglyphs. This is an easier hike than most. Most family members should be able to make it with relative ease.

This season is, indeed, a beautiful time of the year. The trees in and around Williams are showing their fall colors. The weather is still warm enough to take to the trails for hiking and camping is still open. One should remember that, while wildlife is available for photographs, the hunting season is starting. You should keep your animals reigned in.

House finches brave little birds

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House finches. Click on photo for larger view.

WILLIAMS – I have had some interesting experiences lately in this small city called Williams. While visiting a friend, I stepped out side and this little House Finch with the red feathers kept flying around keeping an eye on me. I could not figure out what made this little creature so brave.

Soon the all gray female joined him. Even as I took this photo through the glass door, both kept a wary eye on me.

A short time later it was revealed that these two had created a nest in one of the unused flower pots at my friends house. And they were prepared to defend it.

I decided not to test their strength. I just had too much respect for their determination.

The shame of the BLM

by George Knapp

Forty years ago this week, the American people spoke with one voice on an issue that clearly touched the heart of the nation. The Wild Horse and Burro Act was signed into law, over the objections of the powerful cattle industry. Congress was flooded with more letters and telegrams about wild mustangs than for any other issue save the Vietnam War. They insisted that wild horses must be preserved on public lands. That demand became law.

But it is doubtful horse lovers are popping champagne corks to celebrate. The law, or what’s left of it, is a hollow farce, a piss-poor replica of what we thought we were getting, about as authentic as a gift-shop Jackalope.
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