Trip Report - Two Weeks in Northern Arizona
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Trip Report - Two Weeks in Northern Arizona
We spent two weeks in northern Arizona early in March. The first week, we were a mixed family group of 11, all adults, staying in Flagstaff; the second, my family of 5 only, staying in Sedona.This was our first trip to Arizona and I have to say that I think we'll be back.Beautiful surroundings, great hiking, laid back atmosphere.Flagstaff: We stayed at the Wyndham Flagstaff (timeshare).Nice units if a little dated.We had 3 two-bedroom units so lots of room per family, but not a lot of room in 1 unit for the 11 of us to gather for meals.We rented cars and took 3 day trips, each 1.5-2 hours one way.
Arizona really exceeded our expectations and we all loved it!
- First up was a day touring the slot canyons at Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Spectacular. You need to sign up for a tour for each of these slot canyons. We thought they were both wonderful, but you could get away with doing just one I suppose if you were pressed for time. The tour guides are great – very friendly and know just how to get the right pictures of the amazing formations. We started with Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning, to which you hike a short way down and enter using a series of steep metal stairs. We brought a picnic for lunch and used the picnic tables at the meeting spot for the Upper Antelope Canyon tours. Our tour of this canyon in the afternoon started with a quick ride in a truck, but the entry was much easier with no stairs. However, this Canyon is deeper so it is a little darker.
We tried to see Horseshoe Bend on our way out of the area, but the parking lot is under construction so there is parking at a lot a little farther away and a shuttle to take you back and forth, all for the rather exorbitant cost of $12. After paying a fair bit for each of the slot canyon tours, we decided to pass.
We stopped at the Cameron Trading Post on the way back to Flagstaff for a little shopping and an early dinner. Most of us had the Navajo tacos and they were just ok. The frybread base was good, but the toppings were pretty boring. Not worth the fuss. - Next was a day at the Grand Canyon and if we thought the slot canyons were spectacular, we were totally wowed by this. We didn't get as early a start that day as I would have liked (herding 11 people has its challenges!) so we didn't get to see as much as I had planned, but we all felt fully satisfied with what we did see. We entered through the east entrance so our first stop was at the Watchtower. This is a spectacular, must stop kind of place and we spent over an hour here, checking out all of the different viewpoints. We picnicked at a roadside viewing point, sitting on a low wall overlooking the canyon, as we found that all of the picnic sites were in treed areas with no view and lots of snow. Probably nice to be in the shade in the summer, but much less appealing in the late winter. Next up was the Visitor Center where we watched the movie (very good) and consulted with the park rangers about how to spend what little was left of the day. They suggested that we walk the rim path from the visitor center to the Geology Museum at Yavapai Point. We could either walk back or take the shuttle bus – our group did both. Someday we'll go back and see the village and all those western viewpoints off Hermit Drive – oh and maybe even venture down a little…
- Our last road trip was to see the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. We stopped in Winslow on the way there to stand on that corner (and sing the song for the young'uns who were less familiar) and have our picnic. I have to say that the slot canyons and the Grand Canyon were tough acts to follow, but we had a good day and enjoyed both locations. It should be noted that there is no forest left at the Petrified Forest – it is desert-scape now with lots of petrified wood and petroglyphs to see – but it was interesting nevertheless.
We stopped again in Winslow on the way back to Flagstaff for a wonderful last night dinner at the Turquoise Room at La Posada. Gracious service, delicious southwestern food, and all in a lovely inn.
Arizona really exceeded our expectations and we all loved it!
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It sounds like a great trip. Now you do need to plan another trip, return to the Grand Canyon and hike down at least a short way, visit the Utah Parks and spend some time in New Mexico and Colorado.
Thanks for the report.
Thanks for the report.
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Lizcdn2 I am always grateful when someone takes the trouble to post a report, so thank you.
Given that you had even more limited time at GC than you hoped, I think you did the smart thing starting at the east end. In my humble (and it is, as we have only been the once) experience, the views in the east area easily compared with the views on Hermit Drive, but the big difference is the Watch Tower, I could not agree with you more, that's a must see. I agree there is always going to be a reason to return if you can. (Emalloy who I understand has been there many times surely agrees.)
Couldn't agree with you more about Sedona. GC is lovely but I think the hiking was better in Sedona. How I envy you your leisurely stay!
Glad you enjoyed your trip.
Given that you had even more limited time at GC than you hoped, I think you did the smart thing starting at the east end. In my humble (and it is, as we have only been the once) experience, the views in the east area easily compared with the views on Hermit Drive, but the big difference is the Watch Tower, I could not agree with you more, that's a must see. I agree there is always going to be a reason to return if you can. (Emalloy who I understand has been there many times surely agrees.)
Couldn't agree with you more about Sedona. GC is lovely but I think the hiking was better in Sedona. How I envy you your leisurely stay!
Glad you enjoyed your trip.
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