Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR

Hello all, I have been a member here for a while now and rarely post on this forum but I always admire how kind and helpful other photographers are on here. I'll be going to a wedding in Durango, CO in a couple weeks and am doing a road trip (via car) from Palm Springs for approximately 10 days. We're hitting the following places: Palm Springs, CA, Joshua Tree, Flagstaff, AZ, Durango, CO, Pagosa Springs,CO, Telluride, CO, Farmington, NM, and Sedona, AZ.

Question: Do any of you have any suggestions of some unique places or hiking trails to photograph anywhere near these cities? I'm a wildlife / landscape / astro photographer and have already done quite a bit of research in the different areas but am open to any suggestions that you might have for me. Thank you, in advance!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The Copper Museum is a must see in Clarkdale, AZ a few minutes south of Sedona.
Unless you are determined to do the usual Sedona tourist shots go to Oak Creek Canyon, there is a huge side canyon called West Fork to park at the beginning and there are some unique photo ops that are not the usual me too shots of Sedona. The trail is pretty level and easy to walk.
Walnut Canyon near Flagstaff is always great and of course a must see is Montezuma's Castle and Well, again easy walks from the visitor center.
So much to do, so little time.
Have fun, I really love northern AZ from my earliest memories as a child.

Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR

@architct1776 Thank you very much for these suggestions. None of these were on my radar so I appreciate the excellent suggestions!

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

That’s a lot of stops and stuff for 10 days, especially if you’re in Durango for a wedding. You didn’t indicate how many days that will take. But, given my knowledge of the Southwest, having lived and travelled there extensively, here are my thoughts, keeping in mind that I kept in mind the tons of photo ops.

Ditch Sedona and Telluride. They are out of your way for what I consider little payoff. Sedona is overrated and a tourist trap. I’ve only been to Telluride once very long ago and if you’re going for the scenery, that’s your call; but, Durango is in a beautiful river valley with plenty to see. So is Pagosa Springs. Were I planning this trip, it would be based on the Google map linked at the bottom of this post. Here are my very opinionated comments.

Oatman and Kingman — The former, a little less than 4 hours from Joshua Tree, is famous for its free-range donkeys and the latter, just down the road, is famous for being on Route 66, which is much celebrated.

Flagstaff — No real comment, although it’s the gateway to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.

Winslow — Yes, everyone can “Take It Easy” downtown by “Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona.” But the real gem is the La Posada, an incredibly restored Harvey House with a restaurant to die for — the Turquoise Room, named after the old Santa Fe Super Chief dining car. East of Winslow, you’ll be near the Petrified Forest to the south and the Hopi reservation Second Mesa to the north.

Gallup — You’ll find this Navajo rez border town well worth your time. Consider staying at the famous El Rancho Hotel and check with the hotel if there will be Native American dancing downtown. Mama’s Kitchen and Genaro’s Café are really good. Window Rock, a short detour from Gallup, is the capital of the Navajo Nation — and eponymous Window Rock formation. I have a soft spot for the American Indians, so I've made it my priority to spend money with them, especially on genuine crafts which individual artists sell in Gallup and in Window Rock. As you go north from Gallup through Tohatchi and Newcomb, you’re on the Navajo rez — drive carefully and watch your speed.

Farmington — This rez border has little to recommend, although I lived there for 2½ years some 22 years ago. But, you’ll be near Shiprock, also on the rez, where you can see the peak that is part of the tribe’s creation story. It’s called Tsé Bitʼaʼí, “rock with wings” or “winged rock.” If you do Shiprock, I’ve routed you up into Cortez. If you have time, and I hope you do, try to spend time at Mesa Verde National Park. It is magic. If you want to go back through Farmington, avoid Hwy 170 through La Plata and continue east to Bloomington. It’s faster and if you can spare the time, you’ll find the Aztec Ruins, another of the many Ancient Ones Puebloan culture sites. Then take US 550 up over Cedar Hill into Durango. There are some nice overlooks into the Las Animas River valley.

Durango — One of my favorite places in the world because of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. If your wedding isn’t tied to a location, I’d stay at the Strater Hotel. Otherwise, I’ll leave Durango to your hosts/friends/family.

Pagosa Springs — Yes, there are several places in town to enjoy the hot springs, but Chimney Rock is another sacred Native American Place worth looking into.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Canyon de shay) outside of Chinle, Ariz. You need a Navajo guide to into the canyon, although staying at the top is free. And while Thunderbird Lodge isn’t highly rated, it’s Native-owned; and, it’s been there a long time. I stayed there with my parents in the 1950s.

I invite OP or anyone else to (1) hit websites for these places, (2) query me; and, (3) if any Hoggers have more recent information, I’d love to know it.

Map link: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Palm+Springs,+CA/Joshua+Tree+National+Park,+California/Oatman,+AZ/Kingman,+AZ/Flagstaff,+AZ/Winslow,+AZ/Gallup,+NM/Farmington,+NM/Durango,+CO/Pagosa+Springs,+CO/@36.9349609,-108.0921213,9.5z/data=!4m67!4m66!1m5!1m1!1s0x80db1ad4ffdbe5b3:0xa1e56987c2ed797c!2m2!1d-116.5452921!2d33.8302961!1m5!1m1!1s0x80da8f85b965a87b:0x1977eda73aeb9de2!2m2!1d-115.9009923!2d33.873415!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ce13b49a2596d5:0x74c78d6ac8da23e7!2m2!1d-114.3835698!2d35.0263915!1m5!1m1!1s0x80cddc1300936035:0xa6accfbcff04a560!2m2!1d-114.0530065!2d35.189443!1m5!1m1!1s0x872d8ef7da2e2631:0x8e1f3ca1cedbb300!2m2!1d-111.651302!2d35.1982836!1m5!1m1!1s0x872e420b60a443b7:0xc1c851aff51726e8!2m2!1d-110.6973571!2d35.0241873!1m5!1m1!1s0x8724de8d2f65540f:0x5fd56904653b804c!2m2!1d-108.7425843!2d35.5280783!1m10!1m1!1s0x873b8f00ad0c7ec7:0xc823b1b63b534e1a!2m2!1d-108.2186856!2d36.7280583!3m4!1m2!1d-108.7478245!2d36.9893477!3s0x873bd26f751551e1:0xe3c7f2ea40bc58d9!1m5!1m1!1s0x873c02a6bd85fc23:0xdc2b8882a3a67e5a!2m2!1d-107.8800667!2d37.27528!1m5!1m1!1s0x873ddb6e9b07b449:0x7b8616cc41f8157f!2m2!1d-107.0097617!2d37.26945!3e0?hl=en

Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR

@newsguygeorge WOW! You're a wealth of information! Thank you very much! Great advice and suggestions! For the record, 1. we'll be driving a Tesla so we have to stay on routes where there are chargers, 2. The wedding is in Pagosa Springs with the rehearsal dinner in Durango so we're staying in an Airbnb in Pagosa Springs and 3. All of this info is new to me except for Chimney Rock which was already on my radar. Thanks again for the excellent info!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

You are most welcome.
That area I have explored on foot, bicycle or Jeep many times over including climbing most of the cliffs in the canyon.
Again have a wonderful trip and if going to the Sedona area for longer let me know and will keep you out of that nutty tourist trap itself.

Again safe travels and have lots of fun outside of the viewfinder.

Oregonphotog Loc: Portland, OR

Ha! Thanks!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Get there early for your narrow gage railroad trip so you can get images of the engine. Durango to Silverton. You gotta go.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

a big +1 on Oak Creek Canyon.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You could spend the rest of your life trying to hit every great idea in just this section of the US. I'd visit the 4-corners monument, just to say you've been to that remote spot where 4 US states touch.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Took the train ride in 1974; really enjoyed it.

Charlie7

You could add a stop at Monument Valley between Flagstaff and Durango.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Tesla and charging stations are above my pay grade, so good luck with melding all these suggestions into an electrified and electrifying route. And have fun.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I live in Pagosa Springs. If you like a little adventure rent an ATV and go to Park Creek ( they won’t let you do Elwood Pass in a rental too many people have gone over the edge being new to driving an ATV). The drive over Wolf Creek to get to Park Creek is pretty in itself. You will pass Treasure Falls which is pretty and right on HWY 160. If you have time in Durango do the train, well worth it. A quick drive up to Silverton from Durango is pretty and the same place the train goes. Again if you have time an ATV rental would be fun there. You can drive a 4 wheel drive car up to the mining area, you many see moose along the way.

Not sure what you would go see in Farmington…. We only go for Sams Club!!! If you want more pretty outdoor stuff, spend more time in the Silverton and on up to Ouray area, it is just beautiful. Telluride is as well. You can make a loop from Telluride to Ridgeway to Ouray down to Silverton and on down to Durango.

Hope you enjoy your trip, if you have questions ask!
Beth
P.S. if you drive to the dump in the evening in Pagosa there is a good chance you will see bears. Unfortunately they eat the trash…. But look along the road for elk and deer as well. You will see trails the bears use on both sides of the road. Look in those areas for the bears. Try and enjoy the dump aroma….

Up towards the mines in Silverton

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Silverton area

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Train, but in fall!

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Our hot springs, a bit pricy, but some people love it. It is on the river. I took this photo a few years ago.

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Moose in pond just outside Silverton.

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My front yard, but if you go to the dump in the evening, good chance to see a bear.

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There is Mesa Verdi if you have not been there.

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whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Beautiful country. Back in the 1980’s my wife & I used to horse camp in the Weminuche & San Juan mountain areas a couple of times. Back in ‘87 there was a really good Tex-Mex restaurant on Main Street run by a couple that had moved there from San Antonio, tx. Doubtful, but wondering if it was still there.