Leaving Sedona, we headed north and then east with stops at Walnut Canyon National Monument and the Petrified Forest National Park.
Additional info may be found:
Walnut Canyon: Click HERE
Petrified Forest: Click HERE
-Cascade Bill Mooseker
Date(s): 05/05/2010. Album by Cascade Bill. 1 - 31 of 31 Total. 549 Visits.
enlarge 254KB, 600x800 1 After taking our leave of Elaine and Steve, we left Sedona heading north along Oak Creek Canyon. A little east of Flagstaff we took a side trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument.
The visitor center is perched on the top of the canyon, and you exit the center on the lower level to access the "Island Trail". This trail drops about 185 feet into the canyon on a series of steps (easy to go down, but I was huffing and puffing on the way back up). The trail goes down to an "Island" that is formed by a meander in the canyon.
This is a view looking down canyon from the trail.
enlarge 256KB, 800x600 2 When you reach the Island, you go counter clockwise on a path to view ruins, as well as well marked "info" stations denoting natural and historical features.
This is a view back along one of the ruins - you can see the erosion has left a one story high alcove that is perfect for building a dwelling.
enlarge 232KB, 800x600 3 Looking along the alcove - I think the structures here have been repaired/strengthened.
enlarge 228KB, 800x600 4 A view of the interior of one of the rooms. Notice the fire blackened wall.
enlarge 231KB, 800x600 5 Another view of one of the ruins.
enlarge 292KB, 800x600 6 One of the "info" stations along the path.
enlarge 272KB, 600x800 7 A well preserved ruin that runs from floor to ceiling. Enlarge at "original" size to see details - Increase gamma/brightness to see the wall thickness at the door.
enlarge 211KB, 800x600 8 Another fire blackened interior - I don't think anyone with asthma would survive long here.
enlarge 230KB, 800x600 9 This is one of the better preserved ruins.
enlarge 255KB, 800x600 10 Looking back along the ruin.
A unique panoramic view from this point can be viewed by clicking HERE
enlarge 357KB, 800x600 11 Spring is just coming to Walnut Canyon, which is about 1500 feet higher than the Sedona trails we hiked earlier. This yucca's blossoms are just getting started.
enlarge 282KB, 600x800 12 Heading around the point, we start our climb with these stairs.
enlarge 272KB, 800x600 13 On the east side of the "Island", this is the view toward the opposite wall of the canyon. There are ruins visible if you enlarge this to "Original" size.
enlarge 325KB, 800x600 14 A close up of the ruins on the opposite side of the canyon - enlarge to "Original" size to view.
enlarge 312KB, 800x600 15 Another ruin on the opposite side.
enlarge 307KB, 800x600 16 Can you find the ruin in this picture?
enlarge 341KB, 800x600 17 Telephoto view of the ruin in the previous photo. Enlarge to "Original" Size to view details.
enlarge 296KB, 800x600 18 After climbing back up all those steps to the canyon rim, Sue and I did a short walk along the Rim Trail. We then headed back to I-40 and headed east, soon leaving the pine forest for desert. After a long drive we left I-40 for a drive through the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.
This is one of the petrified logs near the visitor center.
enlarge 167KB, 800x600 19 A view from the visitor center showing the "logs" as they weather out.
enlarge 148KB, 800x600 20 Another view.
enlarge 313KB, 800x600 21 Typical specimens.
enlarge 251KB, 800x600 22 This is a view of the "Agate" bridge - a petrified log that bridges a gulch, which has been reinforced by adding a concrete beam to support it.
enlarge 157KB, 800x600 23 We didn't have enough time to take any of the short walks, but we were able to take several turnoffs.
This is a view from the Blue Mesa turnout. You can see the petrified logs weathering out here and there.
enlarge 181KB, 800x600 24 Telephoto view of one of the logs visible from the viewpoint.
enlarge 205KB, 800x600 25 Another view.
enlarge 165KB, 800x600 26 Another viewpoint along the road.
enlarge 176KB, 800x600 27 At the Newspaper Rock turnout, we saw this huge raven perched on top of the fence.
enlarge 153KB, 800x600 28 This is the Newspaper Rock viewpoint - you walk out to that point and try to view the rock through a telescope.
The sun was at the wrong position, so we weren't able to see much.
enlarge 170KB, 800x600 29 The "Newspaper" rock is down there somewhere!
enlarge 162KB, 800x600 30 While Sue sat in the car getting us motel reservations in Gallup, I ventured out to the Chinde Point viewpoint in a howling wind to get this view of the Painted Desert.
enlarge 165KB, 800x600 31 Another view of the Painted Desert.
