Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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across seemingly all of northern Arizona. The round-trip lift-ticket price is $12 for adults,
$8 for seniors and children 8 to 12. To get here, take US 180 N. from Flagstaff for 7
miles and turn right onto Snow Bowl Road.
If you'd like a short hike with a big payoff, hike to Red Mountain. This hike is only
about 2.5 miles round-trip, but leads to a fascinating red-walled cinder cone that long
ago collapsed to reveal its strange interior walls. To find the trail head, drive north from
Flagstaff toward the Grand Canyon on US 180. At mile marker 247, watch for a forest
road leading west for about a quarter-mile to the trail head parking area.
For information on other hikes in the Coconino National Forest, contact the Peaks/
Mormon Lake Ranger District, 5075 N. Hwy. 89, Flagstaff ( & 928/526-0866; www.
fs.fed.us/r3/coconino).
SEEING THE SIGHTS
Downtown Flagstaff—along Route 66, San Francisco Street, Aspen Avenue, and Birch
Avenue—is the city's historic district. These old brick buildings are now filled with
shops selling Native American crafts, works by local artists and artisans, Route 66 souve-
nirs, and various other Arizona mementos such as rocks, minerals, and crystals. Don't
miss Jonathan Day's Indian Arts, 21 N. San Francisco St. ( & 928/779-6099; www.
traditionalhopikachinas.com), a small shop with what just might be the best selection
of traditional Hopi kachinas in the state. Puchteca Indian Art, 20 N. San Francisco St.
( & 928/774-2414 ), is also worth a visit for its interesting Native American jewelry and
pottery.
Lowell Observatory This historic observatory is located atop aptly named Mars
Hill and is one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the Southwest. Founded in
1894 by Percival Lowell, the observatory has played important roles in contemporary
astronomy. Among the work carried out here was Lowell's study of the planet Mars and
the calculations that led him to predict the existence of Pluto. It wasn't until 13 years after
Lowell's death that Pluto was finally discovered almost exactly where he had predicted it
would be.
The facility consists of outdoor displays, several observatories, and a visitor center with
numerous fun and educational exhibits. While it can be interesting to visit during the
day, the main attraction is the chance to observe the stars and planets through the obser-
vatory's 24-inch telescope. Keep in mind that the telescope domes are not heated, so if
you come up to stargaze, be sure to dress appropriately. Also, there are no programs on
cloudy nights.
1400 W. Mars Hill Rd. & 928/774-3358 or 233-3211. www.lowell.edu. Admission $6 adults, $5 seniors
and students, $3 children 5-17. Mar-Oct daily 9am-5pm (30-min. tours 10:15am-4:15pm); Nov-Feb daily
noon-5pm (30-min. tours 1:15-4:15pm). Telescope viewings: June-Aug Mon-Sat 5:30-10pm; Sept-May
Mon, Wed, and Fri-Sat 5:30-9:30pm. Closed Jan 1, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Dec 24-25.
Museum of Northern Arizona This small but surprisingly thorough museum
is the ideal first stop on an exploration of northern Arizona. You'll learn, through state-
of-the-art exhibits, about the archaeology, ethnology, geology, biology, and fine arts of the
region. The cornerstone of the museum is an exhibit that explores life on the Colorado
Plateau from 15,000 b.c. to the present. Among the other displays are a life-size kiva
(ceremonial room) and a small but interesting collection of kachinas. The large gift shop
is full of contemporary Native American arts and crafts, and during the summer special
exhibits and sales focus on Hopi and Navajo arts and crafts.
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