SketchTravel Arizona – Fall 2025
September 23, 2025
sedona
We booked this week-long trip to take advantage of some inexpensive airfare. Since we have only stopped in Sedona for lunch before, we decided to spend three nights there, and then to revisit the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Late September weather is great, and we had sunny hot weather for most of the trip, with the exception of some thunder showers at the Grand Canyon.
Entering Sedona, we stopped to see the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a pretty amazing mid-century modern structure built up on the red rocks. In Sedona we took several short hikes. First we walked along Oak Creek at Crescent Moon, with periodic views of Cathedral Rock. We drove to the Andante trailhead at Chimney Rock and walked the Thunder Mountain Trail. An absolutely beautiful trail weaving through the rocks, arroyos and junipers. In addition we took a jeep tour out to “see” the vortexes.
Wupatki and Wukoki
Leaving Sedona, I was reminded of the beautiful shady valley up the narrow Oak Creek Canyon as you drive north. Souvenir shops, old style cabin resorts along the river, thick with woods hugging the winding road.
We continued north through Flagstaff, turning off highway 89 and driving the thirteen miles across barren volcanic landscape to the ruins at Wupatki National Monument. Unlike the cliff dwellings we see so often in these areas, Wupatki was built right upon the desert floor. These are multi-level dwellings built using flat laid sandstone slabs. There is a great kiva room or amphitheater, a ball court and a blowhole. This natural feature is a small opening acting as an air vent, connecting to an underground cavern system.
We drove four miles farther down the road to see another ruin, the Wukoki Pueblo. It is built on an outcropping of red sandstone, a smaller community but revealing a dramatic multi-level structure. One wonders how they could survive in this barren area. Apparently they were dry farmers with a spring nearby that has since dried up. I love these places.
grand canyon south rim
We continued north to Cameron, where we left highway 89 and headed west on 64. This took us into the Kaibab National Forest and eventually into Grand Canyon National Park. On the way we stopped to visit viewpoints including Desert View Watchtower, one of many famous old landmarks built by Mary Colter. She was hired by Frank Harvey to design and handle interior design for his many hotels and stops along the railroad. She was truly a pioneer in a world of men, and her legacy is rich in the way she incorporated Native American culture into the projects.
Being at the south rim again, I was reminded of how great an area it really is. It accommodates lots of people from around the world who make a pilgrimage to witness one of natures greatest spectacles.
We had just visited the north rim this past May, staying at the North Rim Lodge. It is difficult to believe that it all burned up in the July wildfire. That leaves nowhere to visit there until it gets rebuilt.
Back to the south rim, we took the shuttle out to Mather Point to walk the rim trail. Next day a shuttle took us west to Hermit’s Rest, another historic building by Mary Colter. There are a number of stops one can jump off and back on along this 7-mile road. We walked part of the rim trail until heavy rains sent us scrambling to grab the next shuttle.
jerome
On our return drive we bypassed Flagstaff, heading south to Williams Junction, west on highway 40 and then south on 89 at Ash Fork on our way to the old hillside mining town of Jerome. Outside of Prescott we saw a herd of grazing antelope. On this trip we’ve also encountered deer, elk, a bunny, condors, and a large peccary. It was a pleasant surprise to watch three small deer slowing making their way through the low shrubs around the cabins at Bright Angel Lodge early one morning.
Reaching Jerome we stayed overnight in the old Connor Hotel, and had a great dinner in the town. There are some pretty interesting rock shops and souvenir shops to be found there. Leaving Jerome we stopped at Tuzigoot National Monument, visited the center and walked up the path to see the ruins there.
a last night in carefree
Last day before our flight home we stayed in the picturesque community of Carefree, a western setting if there ever was one, at least in terms of rocks and cactus. I couldn’t get enough of this alluring landscape, driving through the neighborhoods of beautiful homes with their cactus gardens built into the boulder fields. It certainly felt like we had gotten our week’s worth of desert sights and scenery.
