Arizona’s Desert to Tall Pines Scenic Road offers an exceptional opportunity to explore landscapes far from the usual routes. In summer, it carries travellers from the heat of the desert floor to the cool serenity of pine country.
On this particular journey, we found ourselves amid a prescribed burn conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. Disappointed by the heavy smoke that filled the air, I pressed on, determined to find something worth capturing. A narrow side road led us to the edge of a cliff overlooking the vast expanse of the Tonto National Forest. There, the lingering smoke softened the light and added just the right amount of haze, creating a breathtaking composition of blue layers fading into the distance.
In that moment, I realized I had found exactly what I’d been searching for.
