[Oct '23]
Trip to Sedona with my mother and sister. They flew into Phoenix and I drove west. We rented a camper van for them and I had the truck. I hadn't experienced a van yet and it was fun to compare the two side by side. Each has their strengths and having two vehicles made for holding down a camp spot in the limited dispersed camping much less stressful.
I camped along the East Verde River the first night solo before I was to pick up my family from the airport the next day. Found this spot in the dark and to my luck, while it was close to the road, no one drove by. (34.28769, -111.37471)
First stop on the way to Sedona was a visit to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park - I was expecting a bridge but not a desert oasis up in the mountains
We packed a lunch and hit Montezuma Castle National Monument - quick but fantastic stop
First views of Sedona from Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center - excitement!
First time setting up the van, which was just a delight. The increased inside living space was beneficial given there were three of us, not just me.
Sunrise
Views for days - our first hike (Bear Mountain Trail)
We got lucky and moved campsites the second day, more secluded, beautiful views of sunrise, hot air balloons and the rock formations
We operated out of the van - having a fridge was epic...
The truck was for sleeping and my first cup of coffee
Drove up the road to the Palatki Heritage Site for a short hike and viewing the cliff dwelling
If I remember correctly, the homesteaders that lived out here used the ridge line on the right edge as a sort of calendar
While we were up here we continued down the forest service road to see Honanki Heritage Site as well.
I jammed an unused piece of plywood between the bumper and rear corner of the truck. It fits hilariously well and come night time and closing up the tailagate the same piece of wood is lodged between the water take and the camper shell lip.
My most satisfying truck leveling to date. Big shout out to the perfect rock ramp boy.
The next hike we did post heritage site spectating was Fay Canyon
Then we scrambled up and on top of the bridge
Snoopy Rock was my favorite
A morning visitor!
While the itinerary of this trip was fairly planned out, we wanted a place to spend the afternoon, relaxing in the sun. We hadn't done any previous research but Crescent Moon park was an absolute high light. None of us had showered in a bit and the water was PERFECT.
After our restorative mid day swim and sun bathe we ventured up to Cathedral rock after looping and looping and looping for a parking spot (in the van).
Mid hike, I love this shot from my sister, the church just feels perfectly nestled in the rock. Epic up close but even better with zoomed out perspective
Stars were fantastic each night, finally got a solid shot
Final morning in Sedona
Leaving Sedona, we went north for a day trip Grand Canyon visit. The San Francisco Peaks were turning magnificently, we hit a campground that was ok with us dumping the black water and topping off the Van's water.
We camped down Coconino Rim Rd - I look forward to coming back, camping out here and really deep diving the Grand Canyon. Back in 2020 I was able to hike the Bright Angel trail and this time was just a walking, top of the rim tour. Always worth a visit and I was glad I was able to explore the forest service roads, east of the main south rim visitor center. (35.94787, -111.95237). We had a wonderful night here. We had a fire and while we didn't know it until morning, there was a small watering hole and we were visiting by a few elk buck who were bugling at us in the dark. Unreal.
We continued east along the south rim, stopping in pull off for great views and had the opportunity to see the Desert View Watchtower which was a first for all three of us
Another wild card turn we made when heading south was to detour and check out Wupatki National Monument. One of the coolest archeological sites that I've visited since moving to New Mexico.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument was next and this place felt similar to White Sands National Park in New Mexico - it felt wholly unique and I hadn't seen anywhere else like it. The volcanic rock ground cover and towering Ponderosa Pines were staggering. Big fan - highly recommend a visit to both of these monuments.
Cone view side of Sunset Crater Volcano:
Backside with hiking trails:
I hadn't seen the plant before and it was swaying in the wind. I assume it is a weird coincidence that so many desert plants seem to look like the are underwater or belong in a coral reef
Last stop with Mom was the Petrified Forest National Park. My sister and I had another day and after dropping Mom off at the Phoenix airport we spend the afternoon and next day down in my safe place, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. I had done little research on the Petrified Forest and boy was it much better than I expected.
Near Puerco Pueblo
The Tepees
The highlight of this stop - Historic Blue Forest Trail. It seems like most people drive up and around to a paved walking path called Blue Mesa Trailhead. We stopped first at Historic Blue Forest and ended up skipping the Blue Mesa entirely. We saw only a few people and were able to walk up into these alien hills. It felt as close to being on another planet as I'll get unless I get drafted to die on Mars.
We saw our first petrified wood here as well
Crystal Forest
Spotted to of my favorite adventure rigs to date, a classic and something I thought I'd never see!
Final Chapter: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
I'm so grateful I was able to bring my sister here. I've gone on and on about what this patch of desert means to me but I was so happy to share it with her. It was the perfect end to a remarkable trip. We just relaxed after a go go go itinerary. The sun was warm and we snagged the best camp spot I've had in all my visits!
We were posted up, not quite in the shadow, of Locomotive Rock
This was also the first time my camp site had organ pipe cacti in it. The national monument seems to encapsulate the vast majority and while there is BLM just north, it is predominantly made up of Saguaro, Cresote, Palo Verde and Mesquite.
We played cards and watched the sky all evening. After spending the first twenty years of our lives attached at the hip, we cherish the time we get to be around each other now.