Northern Arizona Loop, September 6-11, 2005I've lived in Arizona for five years, but I had never seen the Grand Canyon ... until now. When a job change left me with almost one week of unscheduled time (!), Dennis and I decided it was time to head north.
Our first stop was Flagstaff. Home to the famous Lowell Observatory, Flag became the first international dark skies city in 1996. The subdued light made for great viewing of the Moon, Venus and Jupiter even from a busy city street.
Flagstaff is also a major transportation hub. Santa Fe Avenue, which was once Route 66, runs alongside the Santa Fe Railroad.
Trains and all, the best place to stay is the historic Hotel Monte Vista.
The price is right, the decor is a kick, and there are tons of great shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Our 18-page, over-researched itinerary included a number of short hikes beginning with Red Mountain, 33 miles north of Flagstaff on Route 180.
Red Mountain is a volcanic cinder cone that rises 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape. The unusual U-shaped cone, open to the west, has a large natural amphitheater cut into its northeast flank. Numerous "hoodoos" decorate the amphitheater.
With more time, we'd explore some of the large crevasses which probably provide access to the sweeping red sandstone plains above the crater floor.