Stargatesg30

Hi, we have a total of 6 days in Arizona in October this year and would appreciate any thoughts/opinions on our planned itinerary. We are driving over from California and are stopping a night near Joshua Tree and then a further night at Kingman so hopefully should arrive at GC just after lunch.
We have already got 2 nights booked in GC village so expect to spend a good day and a half there.
Day 1 - Arrive GC
Day 2 - at GC
Day 3 - Leave GC late morning and drive to Sedona. Hotel is booked so prob spend day driving around area, see chapel of the holy rock, poss montezumas castle.
Day 4 - spend time in red rock state park, maybe go horse riding. Maybe Lowell observatory at night.
Day 5 - Morning in Jerome then do Verde Canyon Raikroad before driving to Apache Junction
Day 6 - Drive the Apache trail.

We have got all of our hotels booked but I would welcome suggestions on anything we should definitely do whilst in the area. I know most people will suggest the pink jeep tour but a couple of our party are not too keen on this.
Also what will the weather be like in October and could this have some bearing on our plans?
Many thanks

MikePinTucson

October is my favorite month for Sedona and the Grand Canyon. The Summer monsoons will have ended, rain not too likely, warm days and cool nights. Around Phoenix / Apache Junction, days will probably still be around 100, nights around 80 until after mid-month.

Day 3, leave the GCNP through the east entrance, maybe have lunch at the Cameron Trading Post. Going south on 89, turn into the road that goes to Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater. With stops to walk through the ruins and through the lava field at SC, that will take a couple of hours. The road will take you back out to 89. Going into Sedona, drive through Oak Creek Canyon.

Day 3, you won't have time for too much sightseeing in Sedona, since you won't get there until the afternoon. The Chapel of the Holy Cross (no rock) is a must-see, and you will have time for that. Maybe go to Red Rock Crossing or one of the pullouts along Upper Red Rock Loop Road for sunset.

I would not drive back up to Flagstaff for a night visit to the observatory. There can be large wildlife on / along the roads, and you wouldn't want to run into something like a deer or Elk. If you really want to see the obervatory, you might spend night 3 in Flagstaff, then head to sedona in the morning.

I would go to Jerome on Day 4. The shops don't open mostly until 10 AM, so you wouldn't have much time before heading to the railroad. You can visit Montezuma Castle either before or after Jerome. I would also skip horseback riding, they are the nose-to-tail type of rides.

Stargatesg30

Thanks. Good advice re Lowell, I never thought of animals at night, so appreciate this. How long would you suggest we would need for Jerome?
Also thoughts on Verde Canyon RR and the Apache trail would be appreciated?

MikePinTucson

I think 3-4 hours in Jerome would be sufficient. When we go, we usually have lunch at the Asylum Restaurant, in the Jerome Grand Hotel. The hotel and restaurant go all out decorating for Halloween so it is fun to just go down the hotel hallways after lunch for some pretty gruesome setups. Don't go before lunch, or you might lose your appetite.

We do the Verde Canyon Railroad trip almost every time we go to Sedona, and we go at least once a year. For the trip, just book coach. First class isn't worth it. Plus, you will spend most of the time on the open observation car, not inside.

I think the Apache Trail would be worthwhile if you were spending time in Phoenix. It would be quite scenic, but I wouldn't take that much of a detour to do it. Come back another time and visit the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Stargatesg30

Thanks. We are flying out of Phoenix so thought the Apache Trail would be good for our last day.

HappyTrvlr

We hike in Sedona and watch those Jeep Tours pass by, doing crazy stunts to make the passengers scream. There are so many beautiful hikes available.the local tojrist center should be able to tell you about those choices.

MikePinTucson

Since you are flying out of Phoenix, it does make more sense.

If you are interested in hiking, here is a good website, plus I can recommend a few. There is also a Ranger station just south of the Village of Oak Creek, on route 179, where you can get detailed maps.

http://hikearizona.com/traildex.php?ID=42&RID=9

Stargatesg30

What a brilliant website and ideal for novice hikers like myself to see what each hike entails. Will definitely look to do a short hike whilst in Sedona.
Thank you to everyone for the suggestions, it is helping with our trip planning and to maximise the time we have there.
Anything else you think we may need to know is greatly appreciated. We are from the UK and although we have made many trips to the US, this will be our first to Arizona.

MikePinTucson

Here are some fun things around Sedona:

Browse Tlaquepaque http://tlaq.com/ Fondly known as "lock your pockets"
Wine tasting. There are 3 wineries close together along Page Springs Road
Visit Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well
Drive through Oak Creek Canyon
Art & Crafts at the outlet mall in the Village of Oak Creek (weekends only)
Visit Tuzigoot National Monument, very close to the Verde Canyon Train depot.

Dinners:
Cowboy Club Silver Saddle Room
Dahl & Di Luca
Schoolhouse Restaurant in the Village of Oak Creek
Red Rock BBQ for lunch or very casual dinner
Oak Creek Brewery for lunch or dinner, at Tlaquepaque

Stargatesg30

Thanks Mike. Some great ideas there. You mentioned in your earlier reply about not having enough time in Jerome if we went before doing the Verde Canyon RR. Because of the short time we have in this area, would you suggest we give Jerome a miss or try to fit it in to our trip? If it was a choice between Jerome and the VCRR then which would you choose?
Thanks

MikePinTucson

Kind of hard to say because it really depends on things you most like to do. You COULD still do both in one day, you just wouldn't have much time for browsing in Jerome. But in October, I would definitely want to visit the Jerome Grand Hotel and the Asylum Restaurant.

So, you could try this -- see if you could pick up your train tickets around 9 AM. Call and ask what time they are open (by the way, advance reservations are almost always required). Then head to Jerome, park, and walk around a bit. When stores open you can do some browsing / shopping. But I would go up to the Asylum by 11 AM for lunch and a look around the hotel. That should allow you to get to the train station by around 12:30 or so, plenty of time to find your car (they are named) and board. It is less than 15 minutes from Jerome to the depot in Clarkdale.

MikePinTucson

I guess I would add that, if it were me,I would skip the train and spend the time in Jerome.

Stargatesg30

Hi Mike. Thanks again for the great information. Just wondered whether you can answer one more question for me. If we purchase a America the Beautiful annual pass, does this allow access into Red Rock Crossing and the Crescent Moon Picnic area. We are thinking of getting a pass because it may work out cheaper than paying individual entrance fees to all the parks?Thanks

MikeS

The Crescent Moon Picnic area is not covered by the America the Beautiful pass. Sedona is a mix of private, state, and federal owned properties, which makes it a bit confusing at times.

When you mention the Apache Trail are you talking about the full road from Roosevelt Lake to Apache Junction ? Note that the Apache Trail is dirt from Roosevelt Lake to Canyon Lake but it is a fun drive.

If you are you can take the route using US 260 out of Camp Verde thru Payson, south on Highway 87, Highway 188 to Roosevelt Lake, then on to Apache Junction.

A second option is from Apache Junction to Apache Lake and return via Miami/Superior.

The third option is just to drive it as far as you have time for and return to Apache Junction. Try to get as far as Apache Lake though.

MikePinTucson

The America The Beautiful Pass does allow you to bypass buying a Red Rock Pass. You will just need to get a hanger for it so you can display it when you park at trailheads.

Stargatesg30

I am a little confused now, one answer says we can use the pass and another not?
With regards to the Apache Trail, we intend to start it from Apache Junction and drive the full loop if possible. How long do you think ths will take and is it possible in a standard compact hire car on the dirt roads?
I am comfortable driving along narrow, winding roads.

MikeS

From http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cocon...55286&actid=70

"The Crescent Moon (Red Rock Crossing) Picnic Area is operated by a concessionaire. Only the Grand Annual Red Rock Pass and the "Big Three" annual pass are accepted here, or you may pay the daily rate at the gate. "

Red Rock STATE Park, and the key word here is state, is located in the same area as the Crecent Moon Picnic Area but I believe the Crescent Moon Picnic Area is better. Because this is a state park, federal passes, such as the America the Beautiful and Red Rock Pass do not apply.

MikeS

I'm not sure about the time to drive the Apache Trail but I would guess a half day if you do many stops along the way.

MikePinTucson

It is a bit confusing. Here is the info about the Red Rock Pass. You have to have one to leave your vehicle unattended while you are in National Forest land in Red Rock Country. You can buy the pass at a number of different locations. But if you have an America The Beautiful Pass, you can display that and don't have to buy the Red Rock Pass. As Mike S said, the Crescent Moon picnic area is State land, not National Forest, so they have their own fee program. Here is the website for the Red Rock Pass program:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconi...telprdb5416207

Stargatesg30

Thank you for your replies. I think in that case we will buy the annual pass, the prices for individual parks and the cost of the annual pass work out about the same for us since we are also visiting Joshua Tree NP and the GCNP before Sedona. It will also be more convenient purchasing the pass at the first park we visit (JTNP) and will maybe save time getting in to the other parks!
So from my understanding then we would still need to purchase a separate pass for the Cresent Moon picnic area at $10.