Three National Parks - One Day

Sunset Crater, National Parks, Lava FieldLast weekend my family and I had an opportunity to visit three National Parks, and because of their proximity to each other we were lucky to be able to do it all in one day.  We set out from home about 8:00 AM and we arrived at Sunset Crater around 8:30.  We are lucky to be living in Northern Arizona at the moment.  We started out by visiting the visitor's center and getting our National Park's Passport stamped.  Then we drove to the base of the crater where we hike through the lava and cinder fields.  For those that don't know what Sunset Crater is, it a dormant valcano that was formed through a series of eruptions and explosions between 1040 and 1100 AD.  It is still a rugged and sureal terrain, but some life has started to return.
Sunset Crater, National Parks, Lava Field
Looking back at Humphrey's Peak

























 




If you go:
Take water, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.  The hike through the lava field was maybe a mile long over some uneven terrain.  It was a pretty easy hike and we took our time stopping and looking at different things along the  way. It took maybe about 40 minutes or so.  Oh should be aware that the elevation is over 7,000 feet, so if you are not accustomed to it, it can make the hike a little more difficult.


Sunset Crater is attached to Wupatki National Monument.  For your five dollar per adult entrance fee you can visit both Sunset Crater and Wupatki.



Wupatki, Pubelo, Native American dwelling, ruins


After taking a look at were the native people of the Colorado Plateau had lived 800 years ago, we drove for about 80 minutes to see one of the natural wonders of the world.



The Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon, Natural Wonder, National Park, Colorado River

The Grand Canyon is something that everyone should see at some point in their life.  The Grand Canyon is nearly 300 miles long, a mile deep and on average 10 miles across from rim to rim.  We came in on the east side of the park and it is about a 25 mile drive along the rim of the canyon to the Grand Canyon Village and Visitor Center.

Crand Canyon, national park, natural wonder, colorado river
We could have spent more time at the Grand Canyon, but by 5:00 that afternoon we had two very tired young men and so we drove home.  It was a wonderful day and saw some amazing sites.  Three national parks - one fantastic day.
Location: Sunset Crater, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Coconino, AZ 86004, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some Place New–Bearizona

Image
In July we had the chance to go to some place new.  My parents were visiting from Phoenix, and so we were looking for something to do.  My wife had seen a billboard for   this new place – Bearizona.  I on the other hand had missed the sign every time.  We looked it up and found out when it was open, and they said the best time to see the animals was in the afternoon.  Bearizona is located in Williams, which is about 38 miles west of Flagstaff on I-40.  So, we all piled into the truck and drove to Williams.  We had lunch at diner on historic route 66, and then we went through Bearizona .  It is a newly opened drive through animal park.  They are still in the process of building it,  but it is still pretty well done and you don’t see a bunch of construction equipment.  The staff was great and getting to see the  animals from with in your own vehicle was an interesting experience. An American Burro (Donkey) ...
Read more

Random Pictures of Life

Image
Yes, I know.  It's been forever since I've posted anything, well at least two weeks.  Recently the fall semester started and I have been busy getting ready for that and going to classes.  Oh yes, and doing homework.  The weekend before going back to school, we, as in my wife and son and I, went to Phoenix and spent the weekend with my sister and brother-in-law.  We went to see the Diamondbacks take on the Padres.  Yes, I know the quality on this want that great.  Phone cameras sometimes they are great and sometimes not so great.   But the game was a blast.  Best seats I've ever sat in. A special thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for letting us spend the weekend with them and for inviting us to go to the game with them. So in one of my classes I have a professor who is knew to Flagstaff.  He took an informal survey from the class of places everyone likes to eat.  Well, I like a good place as much as the next gu...
Read more

Northern Arizona Drought - Part 2

Image
So sometime last week, I drove back out to Mormon Lake, and took my second set of photos. There wasn't much change. The grass on the lake bed was now green, but the water level had not made any kind of dramatic change. It would seem that it will take much more than an average monsoon season to make any kind of dent in the drought that is on going here. Take a look and let me know what you think. This was not the dramatic conclusion I was hoping for, but sometimes, I guess that is just the way things go. For now, it would seem that there is no immediate relief in sight for the drought that we are going through.  Hopefully one day I will have a chance to see Mormon Lake with water in it.
Read more