Fall Color and the Charro Trail Ride

I went to Flagstaff, Arizona from Phoenix last week with a friend to experience the Fall color. I turned onto forest road 151. Fred and I went about a half a mile when we came upon 200 men with horses. Curious we pulled off the dirt road and asked a passing cowboy what is this about? He told us it was the Los Charros del Desierto 69th annual trail ride. The Charros are a non-profit men’s organization started in 1956 by ranchers and business leaders in Tuscon, Arizona. The organizations first trail ride started 1956 at San Xavier del Bac Mission to Nogalas. It was close to a 70 mile ride. That was the beginning of the a long tradition which takes place every year in different locations across Arizona. The Charros are a non-profit that award money in the way of philanthropy and academic scholarships.

Surrounded by golden Aspens Ponderosa pine trees the four day ride was held in the Coconino National Forest. The meeting we experienced in such a beautiful place was fascinating and visually rich. I wandered around a bit with my camera and took some pictures before they started their ride. They did have an official photographer Brian Goddard from Phoenix so I didn’t want to intrude to much. Here are a few shots I did get before they left. Later that afternoon we finally did make a few Fall color shots of the Aspen trees.