Southwest Trip - NM and AZ - Opinions?

Old Jan 27th, 2003, 05:43 PM
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Southwest Trip - NM and AZ - Opinions?


I'm planning a trip in April to New Mexico
and Arizona, and need your opinions on the trip. Please let me know things I've missed or should avoid.

Thanks
Mike Honeycutt

==============================

April 4, 2003 (Fri)
Arrive in Albuquerque -
Drive to Window Rock, AZ
- Rent a car
- Get a room at ???

April 5 (Sat)
Go to Hopi Reservation
- Stay at The Hopi Cultural Center Motel

April 6 (Sun)
Second day on Hopi Reservation
- Leave for Chinle in late afternoon
- Plan to take IR 4 from Second Mesa to Chinle
(how is this road??)

April 7 (Mon)
Spend day in Canyon de Chelly

April 8 (Tue)
Leave for Cortez, Co
- Route to take??
- Visit Four Corners?

April 9 (Wed)
Visit Mesa Verde
- Leave for Farmington, NM in late afternoon

April 10 (Thu)
Visit Chaco Canyon
- Four wheel drive required or
recommended?
- Leave for Albuquerque

April 11 (Fri)
Visit the Albuquerque Zoo/Botanical Garden

April 12 (Sat)
Return home
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Old Jan 28th, 2003, 06:49 AM
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Hi Mike,

I've been to all these places but haven't spent the night at all of them. And when I did, we camped so I'm not going to be any good at accomdations.

Here's a website that might help:

http://rednations.com/cgibin/view.pl

I've never taken IR4 from Second Mesa to Chinle. We always take Hwy 264.

Except for one hike into the canyon at Canyon de Chelly you are not allowed in the canyon without an Indian guide. We took the half day tour and we really wish we had taken the all day tour.

The only road we've ever taken from Chinle to 4 corners is Hwy 191 to Hwy 160. Four corners will only take a few minutes to do. It's a block of cement that shows the four different states. It's a tribal park and there is a small charge to go see it. I would spend the time in Mesa Verde. One day is hardly enough time.

The roads to Chaco are dirt roads but there are easy enough for cars. If it has been raining or looks like rain then just stay at Mesa Verde. You really don't want to go to Chaco if there is a storm coming and the spring time can bring thunderstorms. Chaco is a wonderful place and I want to get back there soon!

Utahtea



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Old Jan 28th, 2003, 08:19 AM
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Hi Mike - I was very pleasantly surprised by Albuquerque. I stayed at the Hilton, the affordability of which was also a pleasant surprise.
You might want to consider fitting Taos, NM into your itinerary.
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Old Jan 28th, 2003, 08:26 AM
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I assume by your itinerary that you're already familiar with Tony Hillerman's mystery novels set in that area, but if you're not, by all means equip yourself with two or three for your trip. They're wonderfully atmospheric and educational and I think they'd add to the whole experience quite a bit. Enjoy!
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Old Jan 28th, 2003, 08:34 AM
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I drove to Chaco last spring. The weather was dry. I had read the horror stories, so in preparation I rented a Subaru Outback with all wheel drive.
Not needed.

I am old enough that I grew up driving dirt roads, and I thought the road to Chaco, after I turned off of the US highway south of Farmington, was a boulevard.

That is dry country out there. I know it rains, but with less than 12 inches of rainfall a year in that part of the world, I would not assume rainy conditions.

I can see how the roads would be a problem if they were very wet. But I have driven south Alabama dirt roads much of my adult life and we just splashed on through the mud puddles. The trick is to have enough speed up that you don't bog down.

Going up hill on a muddy surface requires a definite technique. Hit it as fast as you can, keep feeding gas, and if the rear end starts to swing, take your foot of the gas just long enough to check the skid, and then press the gas pedal again.
Just don't loose momentum. It is a lot like driving in snow, only you have more traction in mud, usually.

Too bad you do not have enough time to visit Carlsbad Caverns, but they are a long jump from Albuquerque.
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Old Jan 28th, 2003, 09:27 AM
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Sounds like a nice itenerary.

Stopping off at the Four Corners Monument only adds a few minutes to your trip, and it has a kind of hokey appeal. Make sure you try some fry bread made by the vendors there.

I agree with the Tony Hillerman recommendation. It is worth buying the California Automobile Association's Indian Country map that Joe Leaphorn sticks pins into in the stories. It's a good map and will cover the areas where you're going. I think it's available through AAA, and filling stations in the area often carry it.

Aztec, NM is near Farmington - I like Aztec much better. I'd highly recommend the Aztec Ruins National Monument, just off the highway as it runs through Aztec. I liked walking through these ruins (ceilings still intact), also seeing the recreation of the Great Kiva there. It would only take an hour or so out of your schedule, and is well worth visiting. It has hardly any tourists.

A trip on the Sandia aerial tramway to catch the sunset would be a nice way to cap off Friday evening in ABQ.

I don't see how you could easily work Taos into this itenerary. Acoma Pueblo (Sky City), west of Albuquerque, would be a possibility.

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Old Jan 28th, 2003, 10:06 PM
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Bob,

My consern for not driving if the weather looks bad also has to do with flash floods. Have you ever seen a wall of water come out of NO WHERE? I have...a few times and it wasn't even raining where we were. Just be advised that a muddy road might be the least of your concerns if there is a sudden thunderstorm.

Utahtea
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Old Jan 29th, 2003, 07:44 AM
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My most significant feedback would be that you shouldn't miss Monument Valley, which is right on the ARizona/NM border. It is truly spooky/spectacular. I'd spend April 8 there.
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Old Jan 29th, 2003, 11:06 AM
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Many thanks for everyone's responses - please keep them coming.

I especially appreciate the "negative" comments like the ones dealing with flash floods, bad roads, etc.

Mike Honeycutt
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Old Jan 29th, 2003, 11:28 AM
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Mike,

I don't want to talk you out of going to Chaco but just want you to be aware of the weather before you leave.

I also second Monument Valley. When you leave for Cortez you might consider skipping 4 corners and seeing Monument Valley and Hovenweep National Monument and then head east to Cortez. Staying on major roads like Hwy 191, 160, 163, 262, & 40 this route is about 300 miles.

BTW, the roads to Hovenweep all show up on maps as dirt roads but in Utah they are not dirt roads.


Utahtea
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Old Jan 29th, 2003, 08:53 PM
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We did a 3 week trip in northern AZ a few years back and would definately recommend Monument Valley...I thought it best to be there for some time and watch how the light changes, times of day and storms change the dramtic scenery. We stayed at nearby Gouldings and could see the most famous rock formations from our room. Sedona area was wonderful. I'd love to return there someday as hiking there was fabulous with the otherworldly scenery.
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