Santa Fe/Taos/Canyon de Chelley/Monument Valley/Etc
Mar 29th, 2003, 10:54 AM
#1
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Santa Fe/Taos/Canyon de Chelley/Monument Valley/Etc
I know there are a lot of postings around these areas and I've found them very helpful, but we have some specific questions about travel around these areas.
We'll be leaving from Carlsbad Caverns heading to Sante Fe/Taos, then to Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley.
We would like to know the "must-see's" in the area -- both sites and drives. We're not sure how much time to allow in between spots in order to make reservations. We want to allow enough time to enjoy the area, but we only have a few days.
We'll be leaving from Carlsbad Caverns heading to Sante Fe/Taos, then to Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley.
We would like to know the "must-see's" in the area -- both sites and drives. We're not sure how much time to allow in between spots in order to make reservations. We want to allow enough time to enjoy the area, but we only have a few days.
Mar 30th, 2003, 05:03 PM
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I get the impression you are underestimating distances in two states that occupy over 220,000 square miles.
From Carlsbad Caverns to Taos the driving distance is about 425 miles, which will take you more than 8 hours total driving time even if you breeze right on by Albuquerque.
From Taos to Chinle and Canyon des Chelles is more than 350 miles.
From Chinle to the area of Monument Valley is at least another 200.
To get back to Carlsbad you are looking at about 650 - 670 miles depending on how you go.
And you are leaving out the two best ancestral Puebloan sites in the whole Southwest: Chaco and Mesa Verde.
I don't indend to sound rude, but I think you need to acquire a good map of New Mexico and Arizona and do some detailed planning.
From Carlsbad Caverns to Taos the driving distance is about 425 miles, which will take you more than 8 hours total driving time even if you breeze right on by Albuquerque.
From Taos to Chinle and Canyon des Chelles is more than 350 miles.
From Chinle to the area of Monument Valley is at least another 200.
To get back to Carlsbad you are looking at about 650 - 670 miles depending on how you go.
And you are leaving out the two best ancestral Puebloan sites in the whole Southwest: Chaco and Mesa Verde.
I don't indend to sound rude, but I think you need to acquire a good map of New Mexico and Arizona and do some detailed planning.
Mar 30th, 2003, 05:37 PM
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How many days is a few days?
There is so much in the area to see and do.
Lincoln, New Mexico site of the Lincoln County Wars and Billy the Kid
Captian, New Mexico is the birth place of Smokey the Bear and Smokey the Bear Historical Park
Petroglphy National Monument, NM
Bandelier National Monument, NM
Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM
Chaco Culture National Historic Site, NM
Ship Rock, NM
Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Four Corners, AZ-CO-NM-UT borders
Hovenweep National Monument, UT
Hubbell Trading Post National Historical Site, AZ
Window Rock, AZ
Red Rock State Park, NM
El Morro National Monument, NM
Acoma Pueblo (I've not been there yet), NM
El Malpais National Monument, NM
White Sands National Monument, NM
I guess it would help to know your exact time table to help you narrow the list down.
Utahtea
There is so much in the area to see and do.
Lincoln, New Mexico site of the Lincoln County Wars and Billy the Kid
Captian, New Mexico is the birth place of Smokey the Bear and Smokey the Bear Historical Park
Petroglphy National Monument, NM
Bandelier National Monument, NM
Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM
Chaco Culture National Historic Site, NM
Ship Rock, NM
Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Four Corners, AZ-CO-NM-UT borders
Hovenweep National Monument, UT
Hubbell Trading Post National Historical Site, AZ
Window Rock, AZ
Red Rock State Park, NM
El Morro National Monument, NM
Acoma Pueblo (I've not been there yet), NM
El Malpais National Monument, NM
White Sands National Monument, NM
I guess it would help to know your exact time table to help you narrow the list down.
Utahtea
Mar 31st, 2003, 02:09 PM
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Speaking of a good map, I'd recommend the Indian Country map from the California Automobile Association. It covers most of the areas you're visiting nicely. I don't know if it includes Carlsbad. Where will you be coming from?
Apr 1st, 2003, 12:51 PM
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Thank you for your responses. Bob, a couple of things -- apparently my saying we have only a few days threw you. I should have said that we weren't on an extended stay in that particular area. We've been to Mesa Verde. Since our children live in Utah and we visit frequently, we don't need to see everything during this one trip. Believe it not, we do have maps. Thank you. However, since we travel quite a bit, we understand that mileage means nothing when you're looking at a map. The reality of the environment and the geography (not to mention traffic in our area) are factors that we rely on from folks on Fodors. Therefore, we ask here to help with our "detailed planning."
Thank you to the other two posters for your suggestions. Just what we were looking for! Some of the suggestions we've seen -- some we haven't -- some are new to me. I'll do some research.
To answer Travellyn, we're leaving Carlsbad Caverns and heading to Sante Fe/Taos, Monument Valley, Moab, then on from there to Salt Lake City. (Thank you for the map suggestion. We'll check with our local AAA.) Although we can refer to our maps to determine mileage, we know that these areas are popular and in order to make lodging reservations, we were looking for the voice of experience for realistic travel times.
Thank you again for the suggestions and if you can offer any more insights on how long we might want to spend at particular stops that would help a lot.
Thank you to the other two posters for your suggestions. Just what we were looking for! Some of the suggestions we've seen -- some we haven't -- some are new to me. I'll do some research.
To answer Travellyn, we're leaving Carlsbad Caverns and heading to Sante Fe/Taos, Monument Valley, Moab, then on from there to Salt Lake City. (Thank you for the map suggestion. We'll check with our local AAA.) Although we can refer to our maps to determine mileage, we know that these areas are popular and in order to make lodging reservations, we were looking for the voice of experience for realistic travel times.
Thank you again for the suggestions and if you can offer any more insights on how long we might want to spend at particular stops that would help a lot.
Apr 1st, 2003, 01:27 PM
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EastEileen,
If you go to Canyon de Chelly plan to stay at the Thunderbird Lodge for 2 nights. You need to hire a Navajo guide to take you into the canyon. Plan to spend a whole day doing this. You will also need a four wheel drive vehicle. The scenerary, the anasazi ruins and the Navajo families still living the traditional lifestyle in the canyon make for an unforgetable experience.
At Monument Valley plan to stay at Gouldings. You can drive through a restricted area without a guide. The Visitor Center at this site is not up to par with other such places that you have visited, however the scenery is spectacular.
JoeG
If you go to Canyon de Chelly plan to stay at the Thunderbird Lodge for 2 nights. You need to hire a Navajo guide to take you into the canyon. Plan to spend a whole day doing this. You will also need a four wheel drive vehicle. The scenerary, the anasazi ruins and the Navajo families still living the traditional lifestyle in the canyon make for an unforgetable experience.
At Monument Valley plan to stay at Gouldings. You can drive through a restricted area without a guide. The Visitor Center at this site is not up to par with other such places that you have visited, however the scenery is spectacular.
JoeG
Apr 1st, 2003, 04:14 PM
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We did the Canyon de Chelly tour though the Thunderbird Lodge. If you don't have a 4 wheel drive vehicle they have half and all day tours in their big open vehicles and they are reasonably priced. It was a fantastic experience. I would highly recommend it.
My pictures before we had the digital camera.
http://pages.ivillage.com/utahtea2/id11.html
Utahtea
My pictures before we had the digital camera.
http://pages.ivillage.com/utahtea2/id11.html
Utahtea
Apr 2nd, 2003, 07:08 AM
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wonderful country to travel. the roads are very good, fast (although i would keep close to the speed limit on the rez or the navajo police will find you), no mountain driving (except back road to taos), and beautiful scenery. acoma pueblo near grants is very interesting, too. i described it in a post recently.
indian country map is good idea. i like it because it names all those mountains, also other detailed info. if you can't find one, you can pick up one in any bookstore in that area.
indian country map is good idea. i like it because it names all those mountains, also other detailed info. if you can't find one, you can pick up one in any bookstore in that area.
