Northern Arizona Delights

Day 1

At a cool 7000′ elevation, Flagstaff, Arizona is the place to be in September! We’ll meet at 3pm in the lobby of our hotel and get checked into our rooms for five nights. Yes, this is an ‘unpack once and chill’ trip! We’ll have introductions then take a walking tour of historic downtown Flagstaff. We’ll get to know our road sisters as we discover the charm of this western city located right on the Mother Road (Route 66).  The city was founded on lumber, railroad and ranching and is located near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, along the western side of the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the continental United States. After we stroll this slice of history and beauty, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local brewery. Craft breweries abound in this mountain town, so we’ll experience more than one. Overnight Flagstaff for the entire trip!

Day 2

After breakfast, we’re off on a short drive to our scenic hike through Walnut Canyon National Monument, where we will gaze across the curved canyon walls. Among the remarkable geological cliff formations of the canyon itself, the shapes of the former homes of ancient inhabitants of Walnut Canyon are easily evident. On a hike along the Rim Trail, we’ll imagine what life was like along and within Walnut Canyon while visiting actual pueblos and walking in the steps of those who came before us. We’ll take our time and explore this area along with a picnic lunch. Back in Flagstaff, we’ll visit the world famous Lowell Observatory, established in 1894, and among the oldest observatories in the United States. The Lowell was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and from the time Pluto was discovered there in 1930, Lowell Observatory continues to be an active research facility while also providing visitors the opportunity to view and learn about our expanding universe. Back at our hotel we’ll have some time for relaxation before dinner at a local favorite restaurant.

We had such a great time. Karen was fabulous! Knowledgable, informative and very patient with all of us. We were non-stop activities but somehow seemed to balance out! I will definitely do another trip! Thank you.
— Sandy Carter

Day 3

After breakfast we’re off to the breathtaking sights of Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona! Before it gets too warm in Sedona (located at approximately 4500 ft elevation) we’ll hike famous Bell Rock where there is a vortex! We’ll continue on to Courthouse Butte to experience this soul stirring area with phenomenal views. This is an out and back hike or depending on the group’s fitness level, we can do the entire loop. The views are amazing. After hiking, we’ll have a bit of time for shopping in uptown Sedona or maybe get a psychic reading (at Guest’s expense). After all, we are in Sedona. We’ll head north for lunch at a local organic dining establishment right in Oak Creek Canyon. Our next stop is Slide Rock State Park for a short hike down to this natural water slide to enjoy the sights. If you’re brave and want to cool off, go ahead and ‘do the slide’!  A natural rock formation for which the park is named after, is a great place to stop and cool our feet. We never know if it’s going to be warm or cool in the September afternoons, so we have layers to take off or put on. We’ll drive the breathtaking scenic route north toward Flagstaff and stop at the Oak Creek Overview to see across the entire canyon and peruse the local Native American arts and crafts (if it is open), before heading the few more miles north to Flagstaff. We’ll be back in time to chill at our hotel and/or stroll Flagstaff some more before our delicious dinner.

Day 4

After an early breakfast, we’re off for a day of exploration! First, we’ll visit Sunset Crater National Monument, which is a cinder cone crater and the youngest in a string of volcanoes that is related to the nearby San Francisco Peaks. We’ll stop at the Kana-A Lava Flow area that is covered with cinders and cooled lava flows from intermittent volcanic eruptions during the last few million years. It’s like a moonscape that also has some strange rhyolite domes that produced folded rocks and steep flows.  Next up, we’ll visit Wupatki National Monument, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The many settlement sites scattered throughout the Monument were built by the Ancient Pueblo People. Wupatki, which was first inhabited around 500 AD, means “Tall House” in the Hopi language, and is a multistory Sinagua pueblo dwelling comprising over 100 rooms and a community room and ball court, making it the largest building for nearly 50 miles. We’ll discover together what their life may have been like in the high desert.  After a picnic lunch, it’s off to the Grandest Canyon of them all – the Grand Canyon! We’ll enjoy the remainder of the day on the South Rim taking it all in from many viewpoints along the Desert View Drive. We’ll take our time to enjoy this iconic area, stop at the Hopi House with a visit to El Tovar too. The wildlife in the park is amazing and photo opportunities are endless. Our short 80 mile drive back to Flagstaff is fun as we discuss this amazing day. We’ll choose another fabulous dinner spot to sample some of the local favorites.

Day 5

After breakfast, we’ll head up to the famous Snowbowl, located on the majestic San Francisco Peaks. The highest summit in the range, Humphreys Peak, is the highest point in the state of Arizona at 12,633 feet in elevation.  We won’t hike at that elevation! However, we will have incredibly gorgeous vistas all around us. We may hike Kachina Trail or choose another of the many spectacular trails to enjoy this beautiful natural setting in the Coconino National Forest. Gorgeous aspens, ponderosa pines and amazing rock formations make this hiking area especially enjoyable. We’ll take our time, then head back to town for lunch and this afternoon, we’ll have some free time to enjoy the historic downtown area of Flagstaff, discovering the locally owned shops, pubs, and galleries. Another option is to just chill and reflect on this amazing time. We’ll meet back up as a group for our Farewell Dinner as we recount our time together, laugh at stories from the week, and enjoy our new friendships and memories made.

Day 6

Another wonderful breakfast and the hotel’s amenities are yours to enjoy before departure; or stay and play in this delightful area of northern Arizona!

• 5 days/5 nights, fully guided tour by a Canyon Calling Trip Leader
• Hotel accommodations for 5 nights (double occupancy)
• All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6
• All land transportation as outlined in this itinerary
• All scheduled activities and excursions listed in the itinerary
• Entrance fees and permits to parks, national forests, and museums in this itinerary

• Round-trip transportation to/from Flagstaff, Arizona
• Alcoholic beverages and all items of a personal nature
• Travel insurance and gratuity to your Trip Leader at the end of the tour