| The punchbowl is a pristine wilderness area found on | | | | One may choose to travel due north into the |
| the east side of Escudilla mountain (10,887') along the | | | | punchbowl or elect to skirt the outer perimeter to the |
| new Mexico border. The area may be found on the | | | | west and then dropping down on the north side of the |
| official apache national forest map available at the | | | | bowl. There are a few old logging roads with down |
| alpine ranger district office. | | | | timber that may be dead-reckoned for direction. The |
| To access the area start from the intersection of | | | | bottom of the punchbowl is full of aspen and waist |
| us191 & us180 in alpine, Arizona. Travel east on | | | | high ferns during the monsoon (rainy season - |
| us180 toward new Mexico approximately 3 miles to | | | | July-September). |
| county road 2117, also known as stone creek road or | | | | The punchbowl is a non-motorized wilderness area - |
| forest road 275. You know that you have turned onto | | | | no ATVs! This allows for a fantastic personal |
| the correct road as you will immediately pass the | | | | experience with elk, mule deer, white tail deer, turkey |
| alpine cemetery on the west side of the road. County | | | | and bear. Elk are the most popular species in the |
| road 2117 is paved for the first half mile and then is a | | | | punchbowl as they prefer to bed down in the area |
| maintained gravel road. Travel north approximately 4 | | | | during the day and then head due east to feed on the |
| miles and the road will drop off sharply downhill along | | | | meadows of elc flat during the evening. However, mule |
| the stone creek drainage, continue approximately | | | | deer and white tail do visit the area as well - more |
| another 4 miles until you see a sign at the top of a hill | | | | muleys than white tail since the area varies in elevation |
| reading "elc flat". There is enough room to park your | | | | from 8550'-9250'. Turkey are also abundant in the |
| car safely at this point. | | | | area, my last trip yielded one large turkey with 8 young |
| The southern end of the punchbowl is due west of this | | | | turkeys traveling behind. This is also a favorite area for |
| small parking area. No trailhead - or trails in this | | | | bear due to its non-motorized location. There are |
| wilderness area. Travel due west approximately 500 | | | | numerous over turned rocks and old stumps that have |
| yards slightly uphill and climb or crawl through a national | | | | been pawed out by the local black bears searching for |
| forest service 4 wire fence. Continue traveling due | | | | grubs, insects, etc. The black bears in this area are |
| west remaining as high as possible on the "saddle". | | | | actually brown and quite often are a cinnamon color |
| You will find yourself on a sandstone ridge overlooking | | | | and occasionally blonde. As a rule they are not |
| the punchbowl. For the best wildlife viewing continue in | | | | aggressive and will typically run away from humans or |
| a southwestern direction along the sandstone ridge | | | | tree themselves. Obviously caution must always be |
| and take in the magnificent views of the punchbowl to | | | | exercised in the presence of a bear and a side arm to |
| the north. A pair of field glasses will assist greatly in | | | | fire a warning shot is a good idea. |
| viewing wildlife. | | | | |