5 posts tagged “arizona”
As you can see in the first picture, each of our kids are standing in a different state. It's pretty convenient that we have four kids. I can tell you now that it was all part of our great plan. Laura and I discussed early on how many kids we wanted to have. After little debate, we agreed that we should have four kids in order to have the ability to put one kid in each state when we visited the Four Corners National Monument. If you believe that. . .
We camped at Canyon de Chelly, a beautiful part of the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona. Having pitched our tent in the early afternoon, we explored the north rim of the canyon (pictures to follow at some point). We continued to cover the one hundred miles to stand in four states at one time. The excitement was building as we got closer. Imagine our great disappointment when we found that it was closed! Barbed wire fences and a gate prevented us from reaching the only place in the US where you can stand in four states at one time. My first thought as a responsible father was to hop the fence. I didn't want to drive 200 miles for nothing. After much debate, we decided to be good examples and not hop the fence. Sometimes it tough being a law-abiding citizen.
We toured the south rim of Canyon de Chelly the next morning, then took the very same journey northward to Four Corners. These pictures were obtained legally after we paid our entrance fee of $3/person. We were fortunate to get there fifteen minutes before two busloads of high school students rolled in. By then, we had taken pictures, jogged around the monument several times (just to say that we jogged all the way from New Mexico, through Colorado, Utah and finished our long journey in Arizona. We were then able to sit comfortably at a picnic table, dining on Navajo tacos and fry bread, a healthy and delicious snack. Who says lard isn't a food group?
In the southeastern portion of Arizona, the mountains are called "sky islands". Rising out of the Sonoran desert, these massifs allow you to experience the same terrain and climate as if you were to drive from northern Mexico to Canada in the span of one hour. As we climbed the Graham, we watched the temperature drop from 104 degrees to 65. We made camp at Hospital Flats, a beautiful meadow bisected by a frigid mountain spring. The kids decided that it would be a good idea to build a dam to create a small pool at one point of our stay. It is easy to see why the US Army brought recuperating soldiers here to speed their recovery. For us, it was a welcome respite from the heat in the Valley of the Sun.
The drive up the mountain is not for the acrophobic. Steep cliffs lacking guard rails are a defining characteristic of the well maintained paved road. Spectacular vistas are found at every turn. We stopped several times for photo opportunities. My youngest (not pictured at left) and my wife did not join the other kids and I for a morning hike as they were suffering a bit of altitude sickness. They stayed at base camp while we explored one of the trails that looped through the woods. Great place to camp, but the four to five hour jaunt one way from Phoenix eliminates this as a day trip destination. Plan on spending a long weekend.
At just under 10 miles round trip, hiking Humphreys Peak just north of Flagstaff, AZ was a nice day hike. I camped in the meadow at the trail head after watching a beautiful sunset the night before. Humphreys sits in the middle of the second largest volcano field (all inactive currently) in North America. While I was pitching my tent, a small herd of mule deer watched with interest briefly. I took a couple of pictures (too far away for the flash to work effectively) and they dispersed. After crawling inside my tent, I heard some snorting and throaty growls. Knowing that this is bear country, I grabbed my flash light and camera and headed outside. My heart was racing at this point. I swept the meadow with the relatively powerful beam to see another mule deer staring back at me. I flashed the camera and she snorted, turned then slowly walked away. After a peaceful night of rest, I woke early to assault the summit. Humphreys Peak is worth the effort expended to reach the top. At 11,400', I was above the treeline and in the midst of the beginnings of the steepest part of the trail. The well-worn dirt trail gives way at this point to a bed of loose cinders that requires careful footing on the descent. From 11,400' to the saddle then from the saddle halfway to the summit is the toughest part of the hike. Those who push to the top are rewarded with views of the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and on clear days (I'm told) the meteor crater. It was too hazy for me to see. The fact that Humphreys and its sister peaks are the remains of a blown out volcano cone (similar to Mt. Saint Helens) is easily discerned as you follow the saddle to the summit.
A bit of advice for would-be peak baggers: camp or lodge close to or on the mountain the day before your hike. Start EARLY! I saw 7 people from 6am to 9am on my ascent (passed 5 still heading up and 2 already descending). On my descent, I stopped counting.
My family and I hiked Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ yesterday. At just over 2700 feet, it is the tallest point in the Valley of the Sun. As evidenced by the second picture in the set, there is more scrambling than hiking. The kids had a blast. Even four year old Eric with his short legs made it up. Several websites describe the Echo Canyon trail to the summit of Camelback as strenuous and difficult. I would agree; however, my four year old did it without any problem. He even picked out some more difficult routes up the rock scrambles. It was a beautiful day and the views were amazing. Several joggers were out on the trail. One lady arrived at the same time that we did. She ran up the mountain and back before we were halfway up. When we were about 3/4 to the summit, she passed us again. She was kind enough to offer us encouragement and to tell us that she brings her four year old up the mountain as well. He normally starts crying about that time.
Great hike and well worth half a day to enjoy.
Sunrises and sunsets are especially good anywhere. There seems to be something special about the Sonoran desert sunrises though. Watching the sky change as the light hits the early morning clouds is incredible. Pictures never do this natural wonder justice.
