Chris Picknally
In places where Lucy
could see the Rim she was
T
here was a time when “the Beeline” was little more than a single-lane, rutted wagon
trail that connected this area with Phoenix. A trip to the cool, pine-scented “Rim” was
an arduous, day-long affair. Encountering someone coming from the opposite direc-
astounded and delighted.
tion meant backing up to a spot where the road widened.
Then there was Ox Bow Hill, a well-known landmark south of Payson which marks
She had carried away a
the transition from the lower desert into the pine-juniper covered mountains. To get up
picture of the colored walls,
the hill, passengers were often unloaded to push, placing rocks under the rear wheels
every few feet so the car wouldn’t slip back.
but now there was a blaze of Today the Beeline, more commonly known as Highway 87, is a modern, four-lane di-
gold, purple, cerise, scarlet,
vided highway that has won several major environmental excellence design awards.
The 90-minute drive from Phoenix, Scottsdale and other Valley of the Sun cities
all the hues of fire. Frost
is one of unrivaled and ever changing magnificence, featuring spectacular rock out-
croppings and panoramic vistas. As you travel north, stands of saguaro cactus give way
had touched maples, aspens,
to fields of wildflowers in the spring, trees clad in gold and crimson leaves in fall, and
oaks, with a magic wand. It
snow-capped peaks in winter. Nearing Payson, you will notice the magnificent Mazatzal
Mountains forming the western horizon of Arizona Rim Country. The word Mazatzal is
seemed another and more
Apache for “rugged” or “rough.”
beautiful forest land that
As you might expect, the “Heart of Arizona” is centrally located in the geographical
center of the state. They say Arizona Rim Country is 90 miles from everywhere, and indeed
she was entering.
it is 93 miles from the big city amenities of Phoenix, 98 miles from Prescott, 91 miles from
- Under the Tonto Rim
Flagstaff (the Gateway to the Grand Canyon), 86 miles from the beautiful red rock country
of Sedona, and 90 miles from Show Low.
While there is currently no commercial airline service to Arizona Rim Country, Payson
Airport (Payson Aviation) has a 5,500 foot lighted runway and ample taxiways that support
some 30,000 operations per year. A “fly-in campground” is adjacent to the runway, and
nearby “homes with hangars” offer a unique lifestyle option. The airport can accommodate
most corporate jets. Aircraft maintenance is available near the taxiways. Scenic flights will fly
you over the forest or to other states.
20
Rim Country Visitor’s Guide
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