Sedona
- Anywhere along the Airport Loop trail, especially the part above West Sedona
- In Oak Creek: park at the trailhead near the end of Verde Valley School Road, cross the road to the trailhead, follow it down to the creek, hop or step onto the dry stream bed.
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| Cathedral Rock |
Grand Canyon, pretty much anywhere along the south rim. Be sure to be there at sunrise and sunset, when the golden hour turns the red and brown (spotted with green vegetation) terrain into amazing, gleaming hues. I hope to go back sometime when the north rim is open.
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| Grand Canyon from the South Rim at Dawn |
Horseshoe Bend is a bend in the Colorado River upstream of the Grand Canyon. Bring a SUPER wide angle lens, or plan to do a lot of panorama stitching. Like other spectacular spots in the American West, watch out for those cliff edges!
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| Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River |
The Wave - The trailhead is in Utah; The Wave is in Arizona. A permit is required; there's a lottery for the 20 daily passes. We planned our trip months in advance by putting in for the lottery, winning, and then we made the rest of the plans around the date of our permit. The round-trip walk is six miles, and it's not a difficult or strenuous walk. But the lack of shade or water could be a problem, especially if you get lost.
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| The Wave |
Visiting Antelope Canyon is something of a racket; you have to pay a guide to take you in a run-down SUV or truck down a bumpy dry stream to a crowded, narrow canyon. But it's worth the trip. Bring a camera that has excellent low light capabilities because it's dark in there.
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| Upper Antelope Canyon |
Monument Valley straddles the Arizona/Utah border. The best photos are available on the scenic loop, which is bumpy and full of loose sand, but drivable in an ordinary car so long as it's dry and you take it slowly. Like Antelope Canyon there's a fee, but you can drive yourself or go with a guide. Sunrise/sunset are the best times, especially when it's hot (as it was for our trip). Plan to be there when the gate opens, drive the loop, then go back at the end of the day to do it again when the sun is on the opposite horizon.
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| Monument Valley |
