Arizona

May 2008

Please click on the photos for more about each area.

 

We had a wonderful trip! Our first hike was to the top of O’Leary Peak, amidst an area of about 600 dormant volcanoes, the San Francisco Peaks, the last of which erupted about 900 years ago.

The day also included a visit to the Wupatki Pueblo.

We spent three days at the Grand Canyon. Our second major hike, on the Bright Angel Trail, began at the south rim of the Grand Canyon, descending about 2/3 the way and then climbing up again. By the time we reached the lower plateau it was already midday and the sun was very strong. The ascent was more difficult; nevertheless, with frequent stops, we made it to the top, about 13 miles round trip.

The third long hike was to the bottom of a side canyon on the Havasupai Reservation to their village, Supai, staying overnight, and then climbing out the following morning. By now we were much smarter, since we began at 5:15 a.m. and reached the top by 9 a.m., all in the shade and cool of the morning. About 2 miles beyond the village are spectacular waterfalls and they made the hike worthwhile.

Shorter stops were in Sedona, Oatman, and at Arcosanti, a cult-like experiment in urban architecture about 60 miles north of Phoenix.

Disclaimer: Only one rattlesnake was killed in the production of this travelogue.