Flagstaff, Sedona & Red Rock


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September 15th 2008
Published: September 15th 2008
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Flagstaff Flagstaff Flagstaff

Flagstaff is old and peaceful, centred around the railway stationand full of handicraft shops and art galleries.
Flagstaff, Sedona and Red Rock, Arizona 12th - 14th September 2008

We spent three nights in Flagstaff, needing some time to relax after the exhilaration of the Grand Canyon visit and also time to visit Sedona and Red Rock State Park (not to be confused with Red Rock, Nevada near Vegas). This whole region is part of the Coconoco Forest and is very scenic. Arizona is a truly beautiful state; it isn’t all desert , although there is plenty of that, and canyons too, recognisable due to their appearance in so many Hollywood westerns. It is real “Wild West’ country and we have even seen guys walking in to bars with all the gear, Stetson hats, chaps, holsters and GUNS! What is all that about? All the bikers riding in force, like whole chapters of Hell’s Angels on Harleys along Route 66 (which goes through Flagstaff) look quite commonplace compared to these macho cowboys; there are not many of the latter around fortunately, but a few are too many!

Red Rock State Park near Sedona is fantastic. It has a river of red water running through it called Oak Creek and the red rocks, slashed across with white, grey
Red RockRed RockRed Rock

Down in the canyon near the creek
and yellow outcrops are as vibrant as a child’s drawing. No subtle shades here or soft hues, just strident dramatic colours that are breathtaking to behold. Under a brilliant blue sky, the lush greens of ,juniper, pine and mountain oak shimmer under the heat of the desert sun. Rangers strictly control tourism here, it is an environmental educational centre, so one can hike all day but not light any fires or smoke; litter must be taken away with the hiker, there are no trash bins or anywhere to buy any food or drink so carrying a picnic and lots of water is essential (some of the hike trails, although not long are tiring due to the rough terrain and the heat). We had our picnic at the top of a trail where there was the base of an old Yavapai Apache fire hut and we never saw another person on the whole trail up there. On the way down we found a white rattlesnake skin but didn’t see any snakes, or mountain lions, but we saw some tracks in the mud down by the river which we think were made by a large cat. It was an inspiring but exhausting
Red Rock CanyonRed Rock CanyonRed Rock Canyon

Typical scenery along the trails at the Red Rock State Park
day and a most memorable one.



Additional photos below
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SnakeskinSnakeskin
Snakeskin

skin from a White rattlesnake
John, oak CreekJohn, oak Creek
John, oak Creek

Having a rest at Oak Creek
Viv, hiking trailViv, hiking trail
Viv, hiking trail

Along one of the many trails at Red Rock
Oak Creek , SedonaOak Creek , Sedona
Oak Creek , Sedona

Oak Creek between Flagstaff and Sedona


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