Frommer's Arizona 2001 (Frommer's Complete Guides) - Softcover

Samson, Karl; Aukshunas, Jane

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0764561154 ISBN 13: 9780764561153

Publisher: *Frommers, 2000

Synopsis

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. And avoid tourist traps. At Frommer's, we use 150 outspoken travel experts around the world to help you make the right choices. Frommer's. Your guide to a world of travel experience. Choose the Only Guide That Gives You:

• Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.
• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip no matter what your budget.
• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
• The best hotels and restaurants in every price range, with candid reviews.
• The expert guidance you need to take charge and travel with confidence.

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• Book flights, hotels, and rental cars.
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About this title

About the Author

About the Authors Karl Samson and Jane Aukshunas, husband-and-wife travel-writing team, find that the sunny winter skies of the Arizona desert are the perfect antidote to the dreary winters of their Pacific Northwest home. Each winter they flee the rain to explore Arizona's deserts, mountains, cities, and small towns. It is the state's unique regional style, Native American cultures, abundance of contemporary art, and, of course, the boundless landscapes that keep the duo fascinated by Arizona. Summers find the team researching their other books, including Frommer's Washington, Frommer's Oregon, and Frommer's Seattle & Portland.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

1

The Best Scenic Drives

Apache Trail (east of Phoenix): Much of this winding road, which passes just north of the Superstition Mountains, is unpaved and follows a rugged route once ridden by Apaches. This is some of the most remote country you’ll find in the Phoenix area, with far-reaching desert vistas and lots to see and do along the way. See chapter 4.

Oak Creek Canyon (Sedona): 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 chapter 5.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Chinle): This fascinating complex of canyons on the Navajo Indian Reservation has only limited public access because it is still home to numerous Navajo families. However, there are two roads that parallel the north and south rims of the canyon providing lots of scenic overlooks. See chapter 7.

Through Monument Valley (north of Kayenta): This valley of sandstone buttes and mesas is one of the most photographed spots in America and is familiar to people all over the world from the countless movies, TV shows, and commercials that have been shot here. A 17-mile dirt road winds through the park, giving visitors close-ups of such landmarks as Elephant Butte, the Mittens, and Totem Pole. See chapter 7.

Up Mount Lemmon (Tucson): Sure, the views of Tucson from the city's northern foothills are great, but the views from Mount Lemmon are even better. With a ski area at its summit, Mount Lemmon rises up from the desert like an island rising from the sea. Along the way the road climbs from cactus country to cool pine forests. See chapter 9. 2

The Best Day Hikes & Nature Walks

Camelback Mountain (Phoenix): For many Phoenicians the trail to the top of Camelback Mountain is a ritual, a Phoenix institution. Sure, there are those who make this a casual but strenuous hike, but many more turn it into a serious workout by jogging to the top and back. We prefer a more leisurely approach to enjoy the views. See chapter 4.

Picacho Peak State Park (south of Casa Grande): The hike up this central Arizona landmark is short but strenuous, and from the top there are superb views out over the desert. The best time of year to make the hike is in spring, when the peak comes alive with wildflowers. Picacho Peak is between Casa Grande and Tucson just off I-10. See chapter 4.

The West Fork of Oak Creek Trail (outside Sedona): The West Fork of Oak Creek is a tiny stream that meanders for miles in a narrow steep-walled canyon. This is classic canyon country, and the hardest part of a hike here is having to turn around without seeing what’s around the next bend up ahead. See chapter 5.

South Kaibab Trail (Grand Canyon South Rim): Forget the popular Bright Angel Trail, which is a human highway near the top. This trail offers better views to day hikers and is the preferred downhill route for anyone heading down to Phantom Ranch for the night. This is a strenuous hike even if you go only a mile or so down the trail. Remember, the trip back is all uphill. See chapter 6.

Antelope Canyon (Page): More a slow walk of reverence than a hike, this trail lets you see the amazing beauty that can be created when water and rock battle one another in the Southwest. The trail leads through a picture-perfect sandstone slot canyon, which in places is only a few feet wide. See chapter 7.

The Keet Seel Trail (Navajo National Monument): There is something magical and mystical about arriving at an ancient cliff dwelling after hiking 8 miles through a desert canyon. At the end of your hike, after resting for a while, you can explore the ruins. There’s a campsite nearby, so you can sleep with the ghosts of the Anasazi for a night. See chapter 7.

The White House Ruins Trail (Canyon de Chelly): There’s only one Canyon de Chelly hike that the general public can do without a Navajo guide, and that’s the 21/2-mile trail to White House Ruins, a small Anasazi pueblo site. The trail leads from the canyon rim across bare sandstone, through a tunnel, and down to the floor of the canyon. See chapter 7.

Seven Falls (Tucson): There is something irresistible about waterfalls in the desert, and on this trail you get more than enough falls to satisfy any craving to cool off on a hot desert day. This trail is in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in northeast Tucson. See chapter 9.

Heart of Rocks Trail (Cochise County): While the big national parks and monuments in northern Arizona get all the publicity, Chiricahua National Monument, down in the southeast corner of the state, quietly lays claim to some of the most spectacular scenery in Arizona. On this trail you’ll hike through a wonderland of rocks. See chapter 10.

About this edition

• Publisher: *Frommers
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0764561154
• ISBN 13: 9780764561153
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 480