| The Mogollon Rim is a rugged escarpment made up of | | | | cliffs that stand hundreds of feet high. The name |
| volcanic and sedimentary rock and pine and forms the | | | | Mogollon comes from Don Juan Ignacio Flores |
| southern limit of the Colorado Platueau. It drops 2,000 | | | | Mogollon, who was the Spanish Governor of New |
| feet in some places, extends across the entire forest | | | | Mexico from 1712-1715. |
| and provides some absolutely breathtaking views. | | | | The Rim is rich in history. General George Crook's |
| Although you could camp on the Rim, one of the best | | | | troops began constructing a trail in 1872 to connect |
| ways to enjoy it is to stay at one of the many nearby | | | | Fort Whipple with Fort Apache. That trail became the |
| hotels in Payson, Arizona. Payson is just a short drive | | | | third major road built in northern Arizona. In 1883, |
| from the Mogollon Rim so heading there after a good | | | | railroad operators started dynamiting the Rim to try |
| night's sleep is a great idea. Sightseeing is a favorite | | | | and create a 3,000 foot tunnel. They only made it |
| activity along the rim but there's also plenty of hiking | | | | about 70 feet before giving up. You can see this by |
| and horseback riding trails, lakes for boating and fishing | | | | hiking down Railroad Tunnel Trail. |
| and even some backcountry skiing. | | | | You can learn about the history of the Mogollon Rim in |
| Although it appears on maps as little more than a | | | | Payson at one of several museums including the |
| jagged line making its way across Arizona, it's one of | | | | award-winning Rim Country Museum, Pine Strawberry |
| the state's defining natural features. The Mogollon Rim | | | | Museum or the Sane Grey Cabin and Museum. So, |
| was formed by erosion and faulting and features | | | | take advantage of the beauty of the area by staying |
| limestone and sandstone cliffs which were formed by | | | | at one of the many hotels in Payson, Arizona. Then, |
| sediments deposited during the Carboniferous and | | | | venture out each day to sites like the Mogollon Rim for |
| Permian periods. The Rim's uppermost sandstone is | | | | some true Wild West adventure. |
| the Coconino Sandstone which has spectacular white | | | | |