Trails Vacation
It would be hard to run out of trails to explore in the Pinetop-Lakeside area. The White Mountain Trail System offers more than 180 miles of developed, multi-use trails. It is comprised of more than two dozen interconnecting trails that stretch from the town of Vernon on the eastern edge to the community of Clay Springs on the western edge. The trails were laid out to take advantage of the area's natural beauty and mountain vistas and boast names such as Ghost of the Coyote Trail, Ice Cave Trail and Los Burros Trail. The trails offer a variety of challenge levels and can be used for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Fishing/Camping Vacation
Trout are the big draw in the White Mountains, but they're not the only fish in the sea, so to speak. Anglers can also find such varieties as pike, bass, crappie, bluegill, perch and walleye. The White Mountains region offers hundreds of miles of trout streams and dozens of mountain lakes. Many lakes offer boat rentals and provide tackle stores. You can camp in the mountains, rent a nearby cabin or stay the night at an assortment of hotels in town. Fishing and camping is also allowed on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation, but permits are required.
Festival Vacation
The Pinetop-Lakeside Chamber of Commerce is featuring four festivals in 2010 to appeal to a variety of interests. In July, the 23rd Annual Native American Arts Festival will be held. It will feature the work of more than 50 Southwestern American Indian artists and is a time to see and purchase such items as paintings, rugs and handmade jewelry. This is a juried event.
In August, the 20th annual White Mountain Bluegrass Musical Festival will be held. It's followed in September by the 35th Annual Fall Artisan's Festival featuring the work of more than 150 artists and craftspeople.
As the colors start changing in the fall, the Fifth annual Woodland Wildlife Festival kicks off.
Article Written By Carol Ochs
Carol Ochs is an award-winning writer in the Washington, D.C. area. During 17 years with The Associated Press she covered health, medical and sports stories as a writer, editor and producer. She has written for the health section of "The Washington Post," a Fairfax County stewardship publication and a biopharmaceutical newsletter. Ochs has a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Ohio University, Athens.
