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Jeff Crider photos
Native ruins at Wupatki
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Jeff Crider photos
Cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon
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Jeff Crider photos
Meteor crater
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Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff
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Jeff Crider photos
Scenic photos around the Flagstaff area
Story & photos by Jeff Crider
While many Canadian snowbirds like to spend winter in the deserts of southern Arizona, if you leave a little earlier, you might find it worthwhile to explore some of the attractions in southern Utah and northern Arizona.
If you head south early enough — from late September to mid-October — you can usually see the aspen trees in their autumn splendor in Bryce Canyon National Park and along the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon.
By late October or early November, the cottonwood trees are usually turning bright yellow in Zion National Park.
The greater Flagstaff, Ariz. area also has several scenic and historical attractions that are worthy of exploring before you head south to your final winter destination.
Here’s a sampling of what awaits you:
— Lowell Observatory: One of the top astronomical research facilities in the world, it was astronomers at Lowell who discovered Pluto as well as the expanding nature of the universe. The observatory has daily “Pluto Tours” that give visitors a chance to see the original telescope that was used in the discovery of Pluto. A solar telescope is also available for visitors who would like to examine the sun. Night programs include star parties and multimedia shows. www.lowell.edu
— Meteor Crater: Located 50 km (30 mi) east of Flagstaff, the 1.6 km wide 150 m (500 ft) deep depression is considered to be the largest and best preserved meteorite crater in the world. Tours are available year round. The onsite museum also features a 450 kg (1,000 lb) meteor, the largest known meteorite specimen in the world. www.meteorcrater.com
— Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff: A must-see for Indian jewelry and pottery enthusiasts, the museum also has annual craft and cultural events. www.musnaz.org
— Riordan Mansion: The Riordan family of Chicago, Ill. was instrumental in developing Flagstaff’s timber industry as well as the city’s selection as the site for Lowell Observatory. Their 1200 sq m (13,000-sq ft) mansion, built in 1904 in the Arts and Crafts style, is open to the public and features original Riordan family furnishings, including Harvey Ellis furniture. http://www.visitarizona.com/places-to-visit/northern-arizona/riordan-mansion-state-historic-park
— Walnut Canyon National Monument: Located 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon is a 32 km (20 mi) long, 120 m (400 ft) deep chasm with 900-year-old cliff dwellings that were inhabited by the Sinagua people. There is an easy paved 1.5 km long footpath that descends 56 m (185 ft) as it leads you to some of the ancient dwellings. If you don’t feel like hiking uphill or downhill, you can also see several of the cliff dwellings from the rim trail. Both trails start at the park visitor’s center. http://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm
— Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: It’s worth talking about both of these parks in the same listing because they are right next to each other and share the same loop road. Wupatki features the ruins of numerous primitive Native American dwellings, many of which you can walk through and photograph. Short trails lead you to the ruins from parking areas in several areas of the park. The crater at Sunset Crater National Monument is closed to the public. However, the park does have short, easy trails through the lava. http://www.nps.gov/wupa/index.htm and http://www.nps.gov/sucr/index.htm