Show Low It is!

I love a good road trip.  And as a Phoenician my main goal every week in the summer is to escape the heat of the Valley for cooler temperatures and wide open spaces.  This week’s adventure is a picturesque drive via US 60 east to Show Low in eastern Arizona.

Situated atop the Mogollon Rim, a long cliff that defines the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, Show Low is a pleasant mountain town surrounded by national forests. The heavily wooded camping areas, cabins, and fishing lakes are shear heaven for any camper or outdoor enthusiast. At 6,400 feet its summer temperatures are generally 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix and Tucson.  It is about 175 miles northeast of Phoenix and 200 miles north of Tucson.

Start your quest by heading east on US 60 and when you begin to see hillsides covered with wildflowers you’ve formally left town.  Continue your climb along the Superstition, Mound and Pinal mountain ranges as you make your way into Superior.  A good place for a pit stop, try Los Hermanos Restaurant and Lounge (map) or Felicia’s Ice Cream Shop (map) on Main Street both great for good grub.

Now that you’ve satisfied your appetite, saddle up for the drive into Miami and Globe.  Once in Globe check out the Gila County Historical Museum (map).  Their collection showcases Native American, early cowboy treasures and mining history in the area.  The museum building dates from 1914 and is worth the stop.

Sculpture of C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark playing cards to determine name of Show Low.

Heading northeast on the US 60/77 route, this is what you’ve been waiting for; an obvious drop in temperature as you drive into Show Low.  In the main center of town, you’ll find a statue of two men playing cards.  The piece represents how the town of Show Low got its name.  In typical cowboy fashion, the town received its name when C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark decided there was not enough room for both of them in their settlement. The two men agreed to let a game of cards decide who was to move. According to legend, Clark said, “If you can show low, you win.” Cooley turned up the deuce of clubs and replied, “Show low it is.”

Besides the obvious gain in elevation another reason for the cooler temperatures is the fact that Show Low sits in the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine in the United States with panoramic views from almost every angle.  Good fishing in mountain lakes and streams, miles of wilderness for hiking, camping, cycling and horseback riding this is a paradise for the “outdoorsy.”

Sunset at Fool Hollow Lake State Park.

To get a taste of their fabulous outdoor recreational areas take a ride to Fool Hollow Lake State Park (map) where 100-foot pine trees sit beside this 800- acre recreational area with a quiet lake.  If you’re a hiker bring your boots and choose from eleven loop trails offering over 103 miles of hiking. Bring a valid Arizona fishing license and fish from five fishing platforms around the lake. Two fish cleaning stations are located at the park. Whatever your pleasure, you’ll find something to keep you busy at this beautiful park.

If you want to make it a weekend trip, there are plenty of hotel rooms in Show Low and a casino to keep you entertained.  The next time you’re itchin’ to get out of Dodge, er Phoenix, jump in the car and do a road trip.  You’ll be amazed at the many sights you’ll see along the way.

Fool Hollow Lake State Park
1500 N. Fool Hollow Lake, Show Low

Cost: $2.00 per person or $7.00 per car

Fishing license information available online at Arizona Game & Fish

Photos courtesy of Arizona State Parks and flickr