Trip to Arizona - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

09/03/2003 03:47:22 PM · #1

A friend of mine and I are planning a trip to Phoenix and area next year sometime, probably late October. A starter list of places to see are:

Grand Canyon
Monument Valley
Petrified Forest

Death Valley
Las Vegas

We are not restricted to staying in Phoenix and will probably plan on a week to 10 days.

Any further suggestions and/or suggested links to check out would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

briphoto

Nikon D700

09/03/2003 03:52:42 PM · #2

Make sure to visit Sedona most importantly, and the road from Flagstaff to Sedona has plenty of photo ops. Also, if you're going to the Petrified Forest, I've heard Canyon de Chelly is spectatular. Sedona is probably the second (to the Grand Canyon) most photographed spot in Arizona.

Pedro

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

09/03/2003 04:02:03 PM · #3

Originally posted by briphoto:

I happen to have a few shots of Sedona in my portfolio from my last trip :)

Message edited by author 2003-09-03 16:02:13.

tfarrell23

Sony DSC-F828

09/03/2003 04:04:15 PM · #4

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

[img]
Make sure you go to Hoover Dam....

//images.dpchallenge.com/images_challenge/77/thumb/14721.jpg?0[/img]

09/03/2003 04:05:59 PM · #5

If you are into hiking, I can suggest a few places for you:

Lake Powell / Page (Antelope Canyon is near there and I've been told it's one of the most photographed spots in the US (or world??)) Antelope Canyon is controlled by an Indian Reservation, so you just need to pay to enter (I think the permit is $15 per person). Make sure to get in the canyon by 10am for the best picture ops (the sun comes through the top around that time and lights up the canyon walls incredibly) - also best with a tripod.
Lake Powell is also incredibly picturesque. If you like boating - rent a boat and go into some of the side canyons. IMO - it's the best lake in Arizona.
Marble Canyon and The Colorado River are not far from there. I've seen some pictures here of Lee's Ferry (which is where the Paria River meets with The Colorado). I have a picture of Buckskin Gulch which is west of Lake Powell/Page. Buckskin. I can give you more information about this hike as well if you are interested.

09/03/2003 04:06:12 PM · #6

Sedona - lots of great trails for hiking / photography. Let me know if you are going to consider that area, I'll get you more information about some hikes. Hwy 89a is just east of Sedona and one of the prettiest drives I've been on (in my limited travels) :-). In October, if it's the right time of the month, you'll get the changing leaves along the creek.

Superstition Mountains - East of Phoenix - great hiking trails and wonderful desert photographic opportunities.

Going along the old Apache Trail past the Superstitions is a great drive with a lot of history.

I'll have to do some more thinking of my favorite places...

lennier

Nikon D70

09/03/2003 04:34:02 PM · #7

Being an ex-resident, the other posts here have it pretty well covered.
A few other suggestions:

If you go to flagstaff (to head to the grand canyon, for instance), avoid I-17, unless you are crunched for time. I'd suggest taking AZ-87 up from phoenix, through Payson. North of Payson, there are some beautiful views, heading up through the rim. Stopping the car in the area is a bit precarious, but can be done with an accomplice. The entire drive north of payson is beautiful, and shows off a lot. Be sure and stop at the lakes, Lake Mary, and Lake Mormon.

When you are coming back, take AZ-89a south through sedona.

You will also want to check out Montezuma's castle. I can't quite remember where that is, but I believe it is near Dry Beaver Creek. (settle down, Beavis)

Now if you have a 4 wheel drive veichle, and some good maps (or good GPS eqipment) try seeing if you can get into some of the beautiful Native American lands in the northeast of the state, like Shungopavi (shungo-povy), and other parts of the Navajo Nation.

Message edited by author 2003-09-03 16:34:18.

09/03/2003 04:53:55 PM · #8

Montezuma's Castle is before Dry Beaver Creek off the I-17. It's like $2 or $3 to get in. Good photo opp there. Figure approx. 1/2 hour for the side track - once you've seen 'the castle' that's about the extent of interesting stuff (as far as I can remember).

There is some beautiful land as lennier mentioned, but it belongs to the Native Americans and I caution you about using it unless you have permission. Once you are on Indian land, it's like being in another country (hence the reason they call it Indian Nation). From what I understand (having worked with the Tohono-Odham reservation), they have authority and can actually confiscate everything you have with you (including your vehicle). Not sure that it really happens much, but just a word of warning.

ozdick

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

09/03/2003 07:15:38 PM · #9

I did a similar trip last year
And yep - definitely have to add Sedona to your list.

We drove from LA - Phoenix - Montezuma's Castle - Sedona - Grand Canyon - Monument Valley - Lake Powell - Bryce Canyon - Zion NP - Las Vegas - Death Valley
Pics here
Direct from camera shots

Also some redone shots here
Edited shots

(we also continued on to Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, San Fran - then flew Chicago, Buffalo, drove again to Niagara Falls - Gettysburg - Washington - Philadelphia - New York. Flew to Orlando, then drove again Kennedy Space Centre - Ft Lauderdale - Miami - Everglades - Florida Keys. Flew again to LA and then back home to Sydney Australia - What a trip :)

Monument Valley was my favourite, while my travelling partner loved Lake Powell the most. Bryce Canyon and Zion are also magnificent (as are any of the NPs in the US)

PS. If you do plan to visit many NPs do make sure you buy the National Parks pass from National Parks USA.
It will save you heaps !!

09/03/2003 07:59:00 PM · #10

Wow, that is quite the trip! It sounds truly wonderful. You have some fabulous pictures!

Good point on the National Parks Pass!

Message edited by author 2003-09-03 22:30:07.

Paige

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

09/03/2003 11:38:16 PM · #11

We recently drove to Arizona/Grand Canyon from Central California, spent time Backpacking in The Grand Canyon, awesome, try to at least hike a bit into the GC, just a mile off the rim and you're in a different world! Camped on 89a, didn't make it all the way to Sedona but was kind of turned off by the fact that you had to pay to park on the side of the road. Flagstaff was a neat town. Drove from GC to Vegas via Hoover Dam, an unexpected surprise, loved it! What a contrast Vegas and the GC were, totally cool to experience. Have also been to Death Valley on a seperate trip, Marble Canyon is a must, an awesome/short hike to some geologic formations that will blow you away. Have fun and take lots of photos!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/03/2003 11:46:13 PM · #12

Originally posted by Paige:

Camped on 89a, didn't make it all the way to Sedona but was kind of turned off by the fact that you had to pay to park on the side of the road.

Sedona was so overrun by cars parked on the side of the road that it became hazardous to drive in that area and it truly spoiled the views and experience of 89a. My husband and I go to Sedona frequently, and I'm not an advocate in any way of city control like this, but for the particular situation - I was happy to see the permit system put in place.

Message edited by author 2003-09-03 23:46:37.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

09/04/2003 12:08:23 AM · #13

Ummmm....Bryce and Zion?!?

SatelliteSpeck

Sony DSC-F828

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/04/2003 12:08:26 AM · #14

when you get to the grand canyon, try to get on a helicopter flight over the canyon... they're bumpy, but worth it.

grand canyon - may 2003

09/04/2003 08:22:17 AM · #15

Thanks for all the great information. The trip is still very much in the planning stage but all of this info will certainly come in handy.

09/04/2003 08:29:00 AM · #16

Originally posted by SatelliteSpeck:

when you get to the grand canyon, try to get on a helicopter flight over the canyon... they're bumpy, but worth it.

grand canyon - may 2003

Good suggestion. I don't know if my friend would go for it though.

When I was in Australia I went up in a 4 seater Cessna over Ayers Rock. That was awesome. I'm sure this would be very similar.