Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6
emerging from the sea. Along the way,
the road climbs from cactus country to
cool pine forests. See “Getting Out-
side,” in chapter 12.
•
The Apache Trail
(east of Phoenix,
AZ): Much of this winding road,
which passes just north of the Super-
stition Mountains, is unpaved and
follows a rugged route once ridden by
Apaches. This is some of the most
remote country in the Phoenix area,
with far-reaching desert vistas and lots
to see and do along the way. See “A
Side Trip from Phoenix: The Apache
Trail,” in chapter 13.
•
Oak Creek Canyon
(Sedona, AZ):
Slicing down from the pine country
outside Flagstaff to the red rocks of
Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon is a cool
oasis. From the scenic overlook at the
top of the canyon to the swimming
holes and hiking trails at the bottom,
this canyon road provides a rapid
change in climate and landscape. See
“Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon,” in
chapter 15.
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THE BEST NATIVE AMERICAN SITES
•
Ute Mountain Tribal Park
(CO):
These ruins differ from others in Colo-
rado because they're on the Ute Moun-
tain Indian Reservation, and the only
way to see the reservation is on a guided
tour conducted by members of the
tribe. You'll see ruins and petroglyphs
similar to those in Mesa Verde, but with
an informed personal guide and with-
out crowds. See p. 86
•
Mesa Verde National Park
(CO): Home
to the most impressive prehistoric cliff
dwellings in the Southwest, Mesa Verde
(Spanish for “green table”) overwhelms
you with its size and complexity. The
first national park set aside to preserve
works created by humans, it covers some
52,000 acres just outside Cortez. Among
the most compelling sites are Spruce Tree
House, Square Tower House, and Cliff
Palace, a four-story, apartment-style
dwelling. See p. 88.
•
Hovenweep National Monument
(UT): This deserted valley contains
some of the most striking and most
isolated archaeological sites in the Four
Corners area—the remains of curious
sandstone towers built more than 700
years ago by the Ancestral Puebloans.
These mysterious structures still keep
archaeologists guessing. See p. 87.
•
Canyon de Chelly National Monu-
ment
(AZ): Small cliff dwellings up and
down the length of Canyon de Chelly
are visible from overlooks, while a trip
into the canyon itself offers a chance to
see some of these ruins up close. See
p. 109.
•
Navajo National Monument
(AZ):
Keet Seel and Betatakin are some of the
finest examples of Ancestral Puebloan
cliff dwellings in the state. Although the
ruins are at the end of long hikes, their
size and state of preservation make the
sites well worth the effort you'll expend
to see them. See p. 114.
•
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
(UT and AZ): For most of us, Monu-
ment Valley is the Old West. We've seen
it dozens of times in movie theaters, on
TV, in magazine advertisements, and
on billboards. The Old West may be
gone, but many Navajos still call this
home. A Navajo guide will give you the
Navajo perspective on this majestic land
and take you into areas not otherwise
open to visitors. See p. 115.
•
Chaco Culture National Historical
Park
(NM): A combination of a stun-
ning setting and well-preserved ruins
makes the long drive to Chaco Canyon
an incredible adventure into Ancestral
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