The brilliant red, orange, and yellows of changing maple leaves mark the start of fall color in the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, October 12, 2016.

There are a number of reasons why West Fork is one of the most popular trails on the Coconino National Forest. West Fork is fantastic throughout the year, but in autumn, the canyon is ablaze with color. Red and gold leaves float in clear reflecting pools along the creek, under a canopy of solid color. As for the trail itself, it_qt_s an easy stroll, but you do have to cross the stream in a number of places. Usually, that involves negotiating a few strategically placed stepping stones or taking a couple of steps in shallow water. The trail is marked and maintained for the first three miles. It ends at a deep pool in a narrow spot in the canyon.

Parking is available at Call of the Canyon picnic site for a fee. This is a special fee site run by a concessionaire.

Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, October 12, 2016. Credit: Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Learn more about the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55432">West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, Trail No. 108</a>, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55260">Call of the Canyon picnic site</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino">Coconino National Forest</a>.