Massive roadtrip to AZ planned on the 16th!

[Daylon]

Hey all fellow photographers - my GF and I are headed out west on the 16th on a roadtrip to Phoenix and the surrounding areas for about 10 days.

Plan is to drive west to PHX via I-20/I-10 through El Paso, spend a couple of days with family, then a side trip up to Sedona and the south rim of the Grand Canyon - then back to PHX for a day, then to Tucson and Tombstone for a day, then return home..

I'm sure there's some "must-do" shots to be had.. I was thinking Cathedral Rock (sp?) in Sedona at sunset - but was looking for any and all suggestions from shooters who have been out there..

Mainly looking for great desert scenes, slot canyons, wind carved mesas, etc...

Or if there's anything between Dallas and El Paso that's worth stopping for, please throw those suggestions in as well...

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

Daylon

[CaptainTom]

Anything around Sedona will be great if the light is good. They should have some snow hopefully.
The south rim will not be crowded and might only have a couple of places open this time of year. Check out Flagstaff while you're up there.
In Tucson there's the White Dove of the Desert, the Sonora Desert Museum and there's also a missile site down there that I'd like to visit some day.
While in Phoenix visit the Tempe City Hall for a photo

[Daylon]

Thanks for the tips! The white dove of the desert mission looks beautiful, I'll def have to check that one out... as well as the Titan museum.

[ronocnikral]

saguro national area/park in tuscon.

the photography museum at the university of arizona, tucson.

south mountain. i like to hike the ahwatukee side and look out over the city. i used to be able to run to the top in like 15 minutes. phoenix.

camelback mountain, self explanatory. phoenix

LDS temple. Mesa.

montezuma castle national monument

hmmm...in addition to what the capt said, if you plan to do any day hiking at the grand canyon you will want to stop by the general store and pick up some instep crampons. ~$10. spring for the expensive ones.

have fun.

[ronocnikral]

oh, and alluvial slot canyons are very rare. fluvial are more common. but you will have to drive to the other side of the canyon and a couple of hours north to really get into some. Here's some photos posted here on the forum.

the wife and i are rd tripping back to utah this winter, leaving the 16th also. we're going up to oklahoma then across on 40. we'll do the GC and escalante, then up to SLC. taking 40 across may take you some additional time, but you will be able to see some different area.

sorry about the double post...i get so excited about this area!!

[TrueLuLu]

White Sands, New Mexico
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site

[shiladityab]

Just came back from a similar trip. Apache Trail just east of Phoenix is good. Some part of the road is unpaved. In GC south rim, catch sunrise at Desert View or Grandview point. Yaki point is the best, but accessible only by shuttle. Getting one in the morning would be tough. To catch the sunrise, the best would be to stay at Tusayan or Cameron (don't know what's available there).
For sunset, Hopi point along the Hermits' Rest Trail line. Wupatki Monuments and Sunset Crater near Phoenix are also good. During day time, a drive through Oak Creek Canyon from Sedona to Flagstaff will be very rewarding.

[Debbi]

Not sure if this will be out of the way, but don't forget about the Painted Desert and upper/lower Antelope Canyon. If you make it to Antelope Canyon, check out Lake Powell. Have fun!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Daylon

...

Plan is to drive west to PHX via I-20/I-10 through El Paso,

...

I was thinking Cathedral Rock (sp?) in Sedona at sunset

...

slot canyons, wind carved mesas, etc...

Or if there's anything between Dallas and El Paso that's worth stopping for,

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

Daylon

...so little time.

Interstate highway system. Fail.
Sedona & Arizona in general: Sedona

Antelope Canyons-both of them. GORP - Antelope Canyon - Photographing Dramatic Northern Arizona

Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona

West of Dallas. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

You don't have enough time. You could be gone a year and not get to Phoenix.

Be safe. Have fun.

[Daylon]

Soo many places! Thanks so much for all the tips.. looks like LOTS of good stuff around Tucson, then another cluster of spots around Sedona / Flagstaff / GC..

That's why I love this forum - so many people willing to help with good ideas!

Daylon

Will post my best shots when I get back!

Originally Posted by venchka

...so little time.

Interstate highway system. Fail.
Sedona & Arizona in general: Sedona

Antelope Canyons-both of them. GORP - Antelope Canyon - Photographing Dramatic Northern Arizona

Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona

West of Dallas. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

You don't have enough time. You could be gone a year and not get to Phoenix.

Be safe. Have fun.

[Daylon]

Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley are perfect photo spots, I just think they're going to be a little too far north for us to hit... but I'll try to talk her into it!

Originally Posted by venchka

...so little time.

Interstate highway system. Fail.
Sedona & Arizona in general: Sedona

Antelope Canyons-both of them. GORP - Antelope Canyon - Photographing Dramatic Northern Arizona

Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona

West of Dallas. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

You don't have enough time. You could be gone a year and not get to Phoenix.

Be safe. Have fun.

[venchka]

I haven't been there, but folks have told me:

You'll need tribal guides in both places, Antelope & Monument Valley. You may want to save them for another trip when you plan ahead and spend time in both places.

[XoZe]

Originally Posted by Daylon

Or if there's anything between Dallas and El Paso that's worth stopping for, please throw those suggestions in as well...

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

Daylon

The only "ABSOLUTELY MUST DO" stop between Dallas and El Paso will be your fuel stop. Other than that, keep driving!