USA 2022 Road Trip (page 2 of 8)

NEW MEXICO - WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK - INTERDUNE BOARDWALK

GPS coordinates: 32.79385, -106.23893 Parking lot and trailhead

This trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible since it’s made of an elevated boardwalk.

At 650 meters round-trip, it’s located in a delicate interdune area and offers lovely views of the dunes and the Sacramento Mountains.

Several interpretive panels have been set up along the trail, giving us info about the plants and animals living in this ecosystem.

A shaded structure has been installed halfway through the route, letting us take a little break out of the sun while trying to spot wildlife that might be in the area.

https://youtu.be/ePlPueVy7a4

NEW MEXICO - GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL MONUMENT

GPS Coordinates: 33.22384, -108.24170 Visitor Center GPS Coordinates: 33.22955, -108.26445 Parking GPS Coordinates: 33.22950, -108.26496 Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 33.22678, -108.26966 Dwellings

Located in New Mexico, this park protects the archaeological remains of the Mogollon people who lived here around the late 13th century.

They built their cliff dwellings in the Sonoran Desert, giving them a view of the valley and protection from invaders.

Additionally, the Gila River, located at the base of the cliffs, provided them with water essential for their crops.

For reasons still unknown today, this people left the area in the early 14th century.

The cliff dwellings built into the cliffs are accessible via a 1-mile loop trail.

The beginning of the trail is relatively flat and winds along a narrow canyon. However, it quickly leads to a steep section with many stone steps.

We can enter the cliff dwellings. A ranger is on-site to provide information about the site.

There are several rooms, and some are accessible by short wooden ladders.

The site is still very well preserved. You can also observe some pictographs.

After the visit, we descended to a lower level via a long wooden ladder, which allowed us to return to the trail.

The final section of the trail consists of a long series of steps that we descend to return to the parking lot.

If you'd like more information about this park, I invite you to visit this website: https://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm

https://youtu.be/4t3b8Nn5LZ8

NEW MEXICO - GRANTS - ICE CAVE & BANDERA VOLCANO

GPS Coordinates: 34.99323, -108.08050 Parking GPS Coordinates: 34.99823, -108.08465 Bandera Volcano GPS Coordinates: 34.99171, -108.08299 Ice Cave

This ice cave and the Bandera Volcano are located in Grants, New Mexico.

A +/- 3.3-kilometer loop trail winds through a forest of old junipers, firs, and ponderosa pines, allowing us to discover a landscape covered by lava spewed by the Bandera Volcano around 10,000 years ago.

The trail gradually climbs to a viewpoint that offers a stunning view of the volcano and the vast lava field, giving a great sense of the power of this volcanic eruption, which created a river of fire stretching over 37 kilometers.

This part of the trail ends at the viewpoint. We then retrace our steps and turn right onto the path leading to the ice cave.

The ice cave is located in a collapsed section of the lava tube. It’s accessible via a staircase with 70 steps.

The temperature in this cave never exceeds 0°C. You can actually feel the cool air it emits as you descend.

The ice inside is perpetual. This natural phenomenon is possible because the ice accumulated in the cave is 6 meters thick, thanks to the cave’s porous structure, which is well-insulated and designed to trap cold air, continuously generating new ice as rainwater and snowmelt seep in and freeze.

The inside of the cave is truly amazing. The emerald color of the ice is stunning, and the cool air feels great on a hot, sunny day.

We took the opportunity to cool off before climbing back up the long staircase and continuing our hike toward the parking lot.

There are a few picnic tables at the entrance of the site, and we used them to eat our lunch before heading to our next destination.

If you’d like more information about this park, I invite you to visit this website: https://www.icecaves.com

https://youtu.be/ghm3ud1f3Qc

NEW MEXICO - GALLUP - PYRAMID ROCK TRAIL & CHURCH ROCK TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 35.54660, -108.61100 Parking and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.55495, -108.61737 Pyramid Rock Summit GPS Coordinates: 35.55809, -108.61374 To the right GPS Coordinates: 35.55756, -108.60138 Church Rock GPS Coordinates: 35.55030, -108.60370 Return to the campground

Red Rock Park is located east of Gallup in northwestern New Mexico. It features two hiking trails: Pyramid Rock Trail (3 miles round trip) and Church Rock Trail (2.6 miles round trip).

These two trails can be hiked separately or combined into a loop using another trail that connects them both.

We opted to do this loop of about 4.8 miles to explore the highlights of both trails in a single hike.

We started with the Pyramid Rock Trail. The parking lot is located behind the arena and stables.

Since this hike takes place at high altitude, with the summit reaching 7,480 feet, I wondered if I’d struggle with the elevation. Fortunately, I didn’t feel any altitude sickness.

The sandy trail climbs steadily and includes many steps. Along the way, it offers stunning viewpoints of the surrounding area, especially Church Rock.

Erosion has created a fascinating landscape, forming circular patterns in the sandstone cliffs.

The rock formations along the trail are incredible. We saw many hoodoos, their tops capped with harder rock that protects them from erosion.

At the summit, the 360-degree view is truly exceptional. We took a break to admire the colorful cliffs around us—the scenery is absolutely gorgeous.

We then began the descent and took a new trail that connected us to the Church Rock Trail.

Large rock cairns mark the path. However, we reached a spot where several trails intersected, and there were no signs to indicate the direction.

We took the wrong turn and ended up at the top of a stunning cliff where erosion had shaped the rock into what looked like a massive wave. The view of Church Rock and the other rock formations was spectacular from there.

Unfortunately, the trail ended at the edge of this cliff. We had to backtrack and try to find the path that would lead us to Church Rock—or risk sliding down the steep cliff on our backsides to reach a trail we spotted below.

We chose the latter, knowing there was a risk of falling. We made it, but I strongly advise against doing this.

When we reached the bottom of the cliff and looked back at the route we’d just taken, I couldn’t believe we’d made that decision.

We managed to find the Church Rock Trail, but as the weather clouded over and rain threatened, we decided to cut the hike short and return to the starting point via the trail along the dry riverbed, which leads to a vast sand field we crossed to reach the park’s campground.

We then headed back to the main road to return to the parking lot.

If you’d like more information about this park, check out this website: https://www.gallupnm.gov/207/Red-Rock-Park

https://youtu.be/kS2aW5CenAw

ARIZONA - HOLBROOK - PAINTED DESERT

GPS coordinates: 35.06562, -109.78175 Visitor Center GPS coordinates: 35.07220, -109.78030 Tiponi Point GPS coordinates: 35.07720, -109.78230 Viewpoint GPS coordinates: 35.08038, -109.78374 Tawa Point 1 GPS coordinates: 35.08104, -109.78342 Tawa Point 2 GPS coordinates: 35.08452, -109.78809 Kachina Point (behind Painted Desert Inn) GPS coordinates: 35.08672, -109.79590 Chinde Point GPS coordinates: 35.08150, -109.80159 Pintado Point GPS coordinates: 35.06898, -109.79457 Nizhoni Point GPS coordinates: 35.06657, -109.79721 Whipple Point GPS coordinates: 35.06303, -109.80271 Lacey Point

Located in the northern part of Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, the Painted Desert is a vast expanse of hills, badlands, and mesas. Stretching about 160 miles, it extends to the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon.

The name of this desert comes from the fact that its buttes are made up of different colored layers (gray, red, orange, and pink) resulting from the oxidation of iron in the sediments.

Several viewpoints have been set up along the main road, allowing us to discover the many formations that are part of the Chinle Formation, dating back over 200 million years. The landscape is incredibly colorful.

At an elevation of 1,828 meters, Pintado Point is the highest point in the park and is known for having some of the purest air in the United States.

There’s also a museum here. This building once housed the Painted Desert Inn, which served as a trading post, inn, and restaurant for travelers along Route 66.

https://youtu.be/Byoq39Z6cxg

ARIZONA - PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK - PUERCO PUEBLO & NEWSPAPER ROCK VIEWPOINT

* Puerco Pueblo

GPS Coordinates: 34.97649, -109.79394 Parking GPS Coordinates: 34.97486, -109.79397 House GPS Coordinates: 34.97447, -109.79395 Petroglyphs

Puerco Pueblo is an ancient Native American village that was home to around 200 people in the 13th and 14th centuries.

The village consisted of about a hundred rooms surrounding a large central plaza, as well as several underground chambers called kivas, where spiritual ceremonies took place.

Unable to adapt to climate change, the inhabitants abandoned the village and set off in search of a more suitable place.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered various artifacts, including stone tools, pottery fragments, and petroglyphs.

A paved trail forms a loop of about 500 meters and takes us through these ruins. We can also observe many petroglyphs along the way.

* Newspaper Rock Viewpoint

GPS Coordinates: 34.96189, -109.79891

Newspaper Rock is an archaeological site featuring over 650 petroglyphs created by ancestral Pueblo peoples who lived, farmed, and hunted along the Puerco River. Some petroglyphs are over 2,000 years old.

These patterns and figures were created by carefully scraping away the dark coating that covers the rock surfaces using sharp tools.

The carvings depict deities, various animal species, and hunting scenes, among other things.

Newspaper Rock can only be viewed from a nearby observation platform because the site is closed due to unstable terrain.

Using binoculars is recommended to get a closer look at the petroglyphs.

If you'd like more information about this park, I invite you to visit this website: https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

https://youtu.be/EG5iFR8s9PM

ARIZONA - PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK - BLUE MESA

GPS coordinates: 34.93288, -109.75554 Viewpoint GPS coordinates: 34.93403, -109.75488 Viewpoint GPS coordinates: 34.93951, -109.75324 Viewpoint GPS coordinates: 34.93995, -109.75427 Viewpoint GPS coordinates: 34.93946, -109.75624 Viewpoint and start of the trail GPS coordinates: 34.93650, -109.75920 Viewpoint

Blue Mesa is located in the central section of Petrified Forest National Park. Several overlooks, built along the main road, offer stunning views of this surreal landscape made up of striated hills and rocks.

A paved trail starts at the top of Blue Mesa. This 1-mile loop takes you down into a canyon surrounded by colorful mudstone cliffs. The scenery is surreal.

You can also see several segments of petrified wood here that date back over 200 million years.

Along the trail, interpretive signs provide explanations about the geology of this region.

If you'd like more information about this park, I invite you to visit this website: https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

https://youtu.be/r3IrPlVqex8

ARIZONA - PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK - THE TEEPEES, AGATE BRIDGE & JASPER FOREST OVERLOOK

* The Teepees

GPS Coordinates: 34.94789, -109.77448 By the roadside GPS Coordinates: 34.94464, -109.77657 Viewpoint

The "Teepees" are small cone-shaped mountain peaks that resemble Native American dwellings (tipis) in the southern part of Petrified Forest National Park. They’re located between Newspaper Rock and the start of the Blue Mesa Trail.

Part of the Chinle Formation, they date back over 200 million years. They’re made up of gray, blue, purple, and green mudstone deposits and white sandstone, colored by iron, manganese, and other minerals.

* Agate Bridge

GPS Coordinates: 34.89258, -109.79402

Agate Bridge is the park’s most famous example of petrified wood. Stretching 110 feet, it spans a small ravine, with both ends still embedded in the sandstone.

You can see it from the sidewalk near the parking lot or get closer via a short 125-foot trail.

This tree has been in this spot for over 200 million years. It was declared a national monument in 1906.

* Jasper Forest Overlook

GPS Coordinates: 34.88821, -109.80764

Jasper Forest Overlook offers a stunning panoramic view of a desert landscape with a very high concentration of petrified wood.

These petrified wood segments were once trapped in the sandstone cliffs above the road, but thousands of years of erosion sent them tumbling down to the valley floor.

https://youtu.be/z1oVN0JHTTA

ARIZONA - PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK - CRYSTAL FOREST TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 34.86373, -109.79200 Parking and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 34.86447, -109.79103 Viewpoint

Crystal Forest Trail is an easy, paved 0.8-mile loop that takes you through a badlands landscape filled with many segments of petrified trees embedded with quartz crystals that sparkle in the sun.

These formations are the result of periodic floods and erosion that occurred over 200 million years ago when sediments and volcanic ash were carried downstream, settling on fallen trees.

Over time, groundwater dissolved silica from the volcanic ash into the porous bodies of the fallen trees, creating the petrified logs you can see in this park.

https://youtu.be/j7idnM4Zygk

ARIZONA - PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK - GIANT LOGS TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 34.81509, -109.86476 Parking

The Petrified Forest isn't an actual forest of standing trees. In fact, it's more like trees that fell to the ground and were once covered by a thick layer of volcanic ash containing silica and muddy sediments.

The silica, dissolved in water, seeped into the wood, dried, and recrystallized into stone, transforming the tree segments into petrified wood with stunning colors.

The Giant Logs Trail is a 600-meter paved loop trail that starts behind the Rainbow Forest Museum. This trail winds through a hill dotted with colorful petrified logs up to a viewpoint overlooking the badlands.

Some of the petrified trees lie almost intact on the ground, showing the impressive length of the large trunks.

The largest of these fragments is "Old Faithful," which weighs 44 tons and measures nearly three meters wide at its base and ten meters long.

https://youtu.be/5X8ENizqfmk

ARIZONA - WINSLOW - TWO GUNS GHOST TOWN

GPS Coordinates: 35.11471, -111.09085 Gas station GPS Coordinates: 35.11323, -111.09204 Pool and campground GPS Coordinates: 35.11574, -111.09561 Canyon Diablo Bridge GPS Coordinates: 35.11528, -111.09365 Apache Death Cave

The ghost town of Two Guns is located in Winslow, Arizona. This place still generates a lot of talk today because of the tragic events that once took place here.

The town is said to be haunted by the ghost of an Apache tribe who were burned alive in a nearby cave in 1878.

Billy the Kid and his gang reportedly hid in the stone ruins along Canyon Diablo near Two Guns during the winter of 1870-1880.

In 1889, men robbed a train near Two Guns and fled with the loot. One of the bandits claimed the money was buried near the Canyon Diablo Bridge. The treasure was never found.

The first owner of this site was Ed Randolph, who built a store next to the cave. In 1922, the Cundiff family bought 130 hectares of land from him and built a store, a restaurant, and gas pumps.

In 1925, the Cundiff family leased a spot to Harry Miller, who built numerous buildings, including the Mountain Lions Zoo.

He also turned the cave into a tourist attraction by installing electric lights and building fake ruins inside.

Miller opened a restaurant and a gift shop where he sold, among other things, all the Apache skulls found inside the cave.

Signs were placed along the highway to advertise his establishment, which he called "Fort Two Guns" in honor of silent film actor William S. "Two Guns" Hart.

In 1926, Miller shot and killed Earle Cundiff over a lease disagreement but was acquitted at the subsequent trial.

In 1929, the inside of Miller’s store burned down, and the following year, he left the state.

Louise Cundiff remarried and, in 1934, opened the Two Guns Texaco gas station at a new location along Route 66.

In 1938, a new bridge crossing Canyon Diablo was built, and Route 66 began following Interstate 40 at the Two Guns site.

A more modern gas station, along with a motel, tavern, campground, and a new zoo, were built in Two Guns during the 1960s.

The gas station burned down in 1971, and the site began to decline. Today, only ruins remain.

Upon arriving at Two Guns, the first relic you see is the gas station, covered in graffiti.

We went inside the building and noticed that glass debris littered the floor, electrical wires hung loose, and the structure seemed pretty unstable. Caution is advised!

There’s also a possible risk of snakes in the area.

Driving further along the trail, we reached the old campground pool, which is also completely covered in graffiti and tags.

We passed two tanks that had been painted by artists and arrived at the zoo, where you can see the ruins of cages and buildings.

We crossed the Canyon Diablo Bridge to reach the remains of old Two Guns. This bridge was designated a historic landmark in 1988.

We saw the location of the "Apache Death Cave" but didn’t venture inside. Access is extremely dangerous due to numerous landslides in the area.

https://youtu.be/QiRqsklEfDk

ARIZONA - CAMERON - LITTLE COLORADO RIVER GORGE OVERLOOKS

GPS coordinates: 35.91900, -111.56406 Overlook 1 GPS coordinates: 35.94025, -111.65070 Overlook 2

The Little Colorado River, about 507 kilometers long, is one of the main tributaries of the Colorado River, located in the state of Arizona in the United States.

It originates in the southeast of Apache County, flows northwest through a series of deep gorges, and joins the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon.

Two overlooks along AZ-64 in Cameron let us admire this unique landscape.

The first overlook is managed by the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation. It’s located right by the canyon and is protected by guardrails.

The entrance fee is $5 per person. There’s a very large parking lot and several Navajo souvenir shops.

When we went, no fee was charged. However, it was early in the day and the site was completely deserted.

The second overlook, which is free to access, is located a little over 8 kilometers from the first. There are a few parking spaces. A 700-meter linear trail leads to amazing viewpoints over the deep canyon carved by the river.

https://youtu.be/kyarBrQZyfo

ARIZONA - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - SHOSHONE POINT TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 36.03497, -112.06922 Parking GPS Coordinates: 36.04323, -112.05922 Viewpoint GPS Coordinates: 36.04528, -112.05975 End of trail and viewpoint

The Shoshone Point Trail is located on Desert View Drive, a scenic road on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

This trail, which is 2.1 miles round-trip, is an old dirt path that crosses a plateau through a ponderosa pine forest. It’s really easy to hike.

It leads to the edge of the Grand Canyon, where the views of the eastern region are absolutely stunning.

If you’re not afraid of heights, you can head to the end of Shoshone Point, a narrow white rock formation that juts out into the canyon and offers breathtaking views of the entire area.

For more information about this park, feel free to visit this website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

https://youtu.be/ikIYO5TOIV4

ARIZONA - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - DESERT VIEW DRIVE

GPS coordinates: 36.03571, -111.83040 East Entrance of the Grand Canyon

Arizona State Route 64, also known as Desert View Drive, is a 23-mile scenic road that connects Desert View to Grand Canyon Village.

This route offers numerous viewpoints over the canyon and the Colorado River.

* Desert View

GPS coordinates: 36.04087, -111.82753 Parking GPS coordinates: 36.04413, -111.82619 Watchtower

Desert View is the easternmost viewpoint in Grand Canyon National Park. Located on the South Rim at an elevation of 7,438 feet, it’s also one of the highest.

It offers stunning views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.

* Navajo Point

GPS coordinates: 36.03858, -111.83748

At 7,497 feet, Navajo Point is the highest overlook on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

You can see the Escalante and Cardenas buttes next to Tanner Canyon, as well as the Colorado River, Echo Cliffs, and Painted Desert.

* Lipan Point

GPS coordinates: 36.03300, -111.85319

Lipan Point lets you observe one of the longest visible stretches of the Colorado River, along with several rock formations.

* Moran Point

GPS coordinates: 36.00519, -111.92429

This viewpoint offers a chance to admire the three main rock layers of the Grand Canyon. Plus, when you look down, you get a great view of a spot called Red Canyon.

* Grandview Point

GPS coordinates: 35.99846, -111.98776

Grandview Point is the starting point for the Grandview Trail hike. Since the official overlook is slightly obstructed by trees, you’ll need to venture a bit farther along the Grandview Trail for better views of the canyon.

* Duck on a Rock Viewpoint

GPS coordinates: 36.01428, -112.06562

The rock formations in the Grand Canyon evoke shapes that only our imagination can bring to life. Here, you’ll spot a formation that looks like a duck perched on top of a rock.

* Shoshone Point

GPS coordinates: 36.04528, -112.05975

Accessible via a 2.1-mile round-trip trail leading to a promontory with stunning views of the eastern region of the Grand Canyon.

https://youtu.be/NlAcXy9MtZs

ARIZONA - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - RIM ROUTE (ORANGE) AND VILLAGE ROUTE (BLUE)

* Grand Canyon Visitor Center

GPS Coordinates: 36.05909, -112.10936 Parking

This is where we parked our car and took the free shuttle to reach the various viewpoints located in the Rim Route and Village Route areas.

* Yaki Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.05862, -112.08291

This viewpoint offers a stunning view of the canyon, particularly Wotan's Throne, an impressive flat-topped butte, as well as Vishnu Temple, a 2,296-meter-high peak.

* Pipe Creek Vista

GPS Coordinates: 36.04802, -112.09407

Pipe Creek Vista is another viewpoint that provides a magnificent view of the canyon. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching, especially in spring and fall.

The Douglas fir forest, located in the canyon walls below, is an example of the micro-habitat fed by water and cooler temperatures resulting from the shade cast by the canyon cliffs.

* Mather Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.06171, -112.10902

Mather Point is just a short walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. It offers a breathtaking view of the canyon’s spectacular formations.

At the bottom of the canyon, you can see the Colorado River, Phantom Ranch, and numerous trails winding through the landscape.

It’s also a very popular spot to watch sunrise and sunset.

* Yavapai Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.06595, -112.11681

Yavapai Point is the northernmost point and closest to the Colorado River, offering an incredible view of the canyon.

* Verkamp's Visitor Center Lookout

GPS Coordinates: 36.05821, -112.13502

From this viewpoint, you can see Mary Colter's Lookout Studio overlooking the canyon. That’s why the view of the canyon is pretty much the same from here.

* Mary Colter's Lookout Studio

GPS Coordinates: 36.05796, -112.14125

Mary Colter's Lookout Studio is near the Bright Angel Trail. There’s a nice gift shop inside. The two panoramic terraces at the back of the building offer a beautiful view of the canyon.

https://youtu.be/7Lcp244HDIc

ARIZONA - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - HERMIT ROUTE (RED LINE)

The Hermit Route starts at Grand Canyon Village and continues for 11 kilometers along the canyon to the west, ending at Hermits Rest.

When this loop is in operation, no vehicles are allowed on this road. A shuttle service then serves the different areas of the canyon.

* Trailview Overlook

GPS Coordinates: 36.0620, -112.1464

From this viewpoint, we can see the Bright Angel Trail winding through the canyon. Further north flows Bright Angel Creek, one of the tributaries of the Colorado River.

* Maricopa Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.07190, -112.14843

Maricopa offers stunning views of the canyon. To the west are the remains of the old Orphan Mine, which was once an excellent source of copper, silver, vanadium, and uranium.

* Powell Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.07343, -112.15097

Powell Point is the ideal spot to watch the sunrise or sunset, especially since there are far fewer people here than at Hopi Point, the next viewpoint.

Here, you can see the canyon from west to east.

* Hopi Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.07354, -112.15616 Viewpoint GPS Coordinates: 36.07451, -112.15493 Viewpoint

Hopi Point offers a complete view of the Grand Canyon. It provides excellent east-to-west vistas, making it the perfect spot for sunrise and sunset.

We observed several rock formations here, including the flat-topped Shiva Temple, the pyramid-shaped Temple of Isis, and the Temple of Zoroaster, a peak standing at 7,123 feet.

* Mohave Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.07236, -112.16603

Mohave Point has several individual viewpoints and is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset.

It offers great views of the Colorado River flowing at the bottom of the canyon, as well as several rock formations, including the Temples of Horus, Osiris, and Isis, and the Tower of Ra.

* The Abyss

GPS Coordinates: 36.05830, -112.16900

The Abyss lives up to its name. This chasm is remarkable for its sheer walls. There’s no fault line here, which means very little water flows through this part of the canyon.

In fact, most of the erosion here happens due to the constant pull of gravity on the rock walls.

* Monument Creek Vista

GPS Coordinates: 36.06058, -112.18265

This viewpoint is located at the eastern end of the Greenway Trail, a paved bike and pedestrian path. It overlooks Monument Creek and the Colorado River. We didn’t stop here.

* Pima Point

GPS Coordinates: 36.07178, -112.20009

Pima Point is one of the best spots on the South Rim to see the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. The viewpoint is on a wide promontory, offering views of over 60 kilometers across the canyon.

* Hermits Rest

GPS Coordinates: 36.0607, -112.2125

We didn’t stop here because the viewpoints are quite limited due to the densely forested canyon edge. Hermits Rest has a gift shop, a snack bar, and restrooms.

https://youtu.be/_iy3lMhh0pQ

ROUTE 66 - ARIZONA - HISTORIC TOWN OF OATMAN

GPS coordinates: 35.02695, -114.38450

Oatman is the last town in Arizona, just before California. It's an old mining town that was practically abandoned after Route 66 was bypassed.

You’ll encounter donkeys—lots of donkeys—both on the road and in town. They used to transport prospectors' goods. When the mine closed, they were left behind and returned to the wild.

They’ve obviously reproduced and continue to roam the area. They’re actually protected by federal law, and hunting them is prohibited. They’re completely used to human presence.

Oatman is definitely touristy, but there’s a great vibe in this little Western town.

There’s a parking lot at the entrance to the village. Vehicles are also allowed to park on Main Street. It’s a shame, though, because it detracts from the historic scenery.

The main street is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars. You’ll also find the Oatman Hotel, which was once called the Durlin Hotel. This place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It’s been restored and turned into a museum but is temporarily closed.

The walls of the hotel are covered in $1 bills. The story goes that prospectors would sign these bills and hang them on the walls. When they ran out of money, they could take their bills back to pay for drinks.

Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, two famous American actors, spent their wedding night here. Mr. Gable later returned because he loved playing poker with the miners.

A shootout show is presented daily in the middle of Main Street. The afternoon show is free and fun. We missed it because we visited in the morning.

https://youtu.be/qLn-Ht9utMY

ARIZONA - BULLHEAD CITY COMMUNITY PARK

GPS coordinates: 35.139991, -114.571140

We left the town of Oatman and were on our way to Red Rock Canyon in Nevada when we spotted this park along Highway 95.

So we decided to take a little break here and enjoy its facilities located by the beautiful Colorado River, whose waters are exceptionally clear.

This picturesque park is the perfect spot for outdoor activities year-round. You’ll find a free public beach, a boat launch ramp, covered picnic areas with barbecues, a playground for kids, and a dog park.

https://youtu.be/lj_Ue6R7wpc

NEVADA - RED ROCK CANYON - CALICO I & II & SANDSTONE QUARRY

GPS Coordinates: 36.13569, -115.42788 Visitor Center

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located in southwestern Nevada, about 20 kilometers west of Las Vegas.

A 21-kilometer one-way scenic drive runs through the park. You can admire the various rock formations from numerous overlooks along the road or by exploring the different trails available.

Entry reservations are required for the scenic drive between October 1st and May 31st for entry between 8 AM and 5 PM. Timed-entry reservations can be made on Recreation.gov by visiting the following website: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10075177, or by calling (877) 444-6777.

If you'd like more information about this park, I invite you to visit this website: https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/

* Calico I & II & Sandstone Quarry

GPS Coordinates: 36.14627, -115.43083 Calico I GPS Coordinates: 36.15182, -115.43728 Calico II

The Calico Hills feature some of the most colorful geological formations and are certainly the most interesting in Red Rock Canyon.

Over 180 million years ago, these hills were once red sand dunes. However, over time, groundwater flowing through the dune field washed away much of the original color, but the resulting calcium carbonate cemented the sand.

The dunes were then compressed and transformed into sedimentary rock through a lithification process.

Each year, these hills attract thousands of climbers. In fact, this park is one of the top five climbing destinations in the United States.

Calico I and Calico II are not only two overlooks that offer excellent views of these large red sandstone outcrops but are also the starting point for a hiking trail that explores this area.

We took a short hike on the Calico Hills Trail, which starts at Calico I. It runs along the base of the hills and leads to the sandstone quarry.

As for us, we kind of improvised and wandered through the rock formations, which are absolutely stunning in this area.

* Sandstone Quarry Trail

GPS Coordinates: 36.16235, -115.45034 Parking and trailhead

Sandstone Quarry is a former sandstone quarry whose commercial operations ended in 1912.

A trail starts near the parking area and allows you to admire rock formations showcasing different colors (red, yellow, and cream).

https://youtu.be/orqpscY2SLg

NEVADA - RED ROCK CANYON - WILLOW SPRINGS

GPS coordinates: 36.16050, -115.49822 Parking GPS coordinates: 36.16017, -115.49737 Pictographs

GPS coordinates: 36.16105, -115.49883 Parking Petroglyph Wall Trail (200 m one way only) GPS coordinates: 36.16097, -115.50068 Petroglyphs

GPS coordinates: 36.15741, -115.49363 Parking and start of the trail to the right (loop +/- 1.3 km) GPS coordinates: 36.15625, -115.49687 Fork to the right (round trip +/- 240 m) Back to the parking lot

There’s a picnic area at Willow Springs. It’s the perfect spot for birdwatching since 150 species have been identified here.

There are several hiking trails in this area. Two of them lead to a cliff featuring rock art. These petroglyphs and pictographs are estimated to be at least 800 years old.

We also hiked the Lost Creek interpretive trail, where you can observe many features of the Mojave Desert in Red Rock Canyon. The landscape is breathtaking in this part of the park.

https://youtu.be/mOAILNZAOQE