mendres

I would suggest a trip to Page, AZ. Lake Powell is right there and, more importantly, so are the famous Slot Canyons. While you can drop into the lower slot thruout the day, many recommend going as close to noon as you can in order to have more light directly overhead. Definitely need a tripod & a wide angle. I would not change any equipment while in that area, do this in the hotel room as there is just way too much dust at the location!

Coolcameragirl Loc: Bradenton, FL

I was there last year and stumbled across Bearizonna - a drive thru wildlife park. Very cool with lots of great photos. Check it out: http://www.bearizona.com/

JFB Loc: Tempe, AZ

On your way to Monument Valley from Sedona you should stop in Page, AZ (on the way) and see Horseshoe Bend or one of the of the slot canyons, Antelope High or Antelope Low or even take a boat trip on Lake Powell or even visit Glen Canyon Dam.

You really need more time to enjoy some of these wonders.

In May temps will be high 90's low 100's... plan accordingly.

You will be planning a return trip before you leave!

tjphxaz Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Research at arizonahighways.com. Has advice, books, articles on photography, hiking trails, driving, events, dining, lodging, etc. etc. Be sure to check the photography and guide book sections.
While in Sedona concentrate on shooting in the Golden Hours. Stake out your locations a day ahead and get there early and late for the best light. Hike the Oak Creek Canyon area and Slide Rock State Park. Drive over to Jerome, AZ - an old mining town on the side of a big mountain.
When you leave Sedona for Monument Valley take a full day and drive to South Rim of Grand Canyon then follow the road (Hwy 64) east along the Canyon to Hwy. 89 then go North to Hwy. 160 which will take you toward Kayenta, AZ. Monument Valley is just north of Kayenta. The Navajo Reservation is starkly desolate but incredibly picturesque. If you can also get to the Canyon de Chelly area that would be spectacular as well. Plan ahead for lodging on the reservation.
There are lots of miles to cover and you might be tempted to drive quicly from Point A to B but keep in mind there are lots of great photo ops in between A and B so plan your intinerary so you don't feel rushed as you move around.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Definitely splurge again and pay for a guide to take you around Monument Valley. Best money we spent on our trip, they take you to the back of the reservation, off the tourist path. You meet your guide in lobby of hotel.

Sedona is great, Pink Jeep tour will cover all you need in 2-3 hours. Hike about a mile into Oak Creek Canyon from the back side by the school road and photo Cathedral Rock (my current avatar).

Jerome is a waste of time, unless you want to drive a winding 2 lane road up elevation to spend 10 minutes at a mining museum and eat a burger and beer at a biker bar.

The North Rim is more interesting than South rim and 8700 feet elevation. may not be opened yet, depending on when you go in May.

I bought this book on Amazon and it gave great tip and directions on how to drive or hike to vantage points I wanted to shoot!


Arizona Highways Photography Guide: How & Where to Make Great Pictures (Arizona Highways: Travel Arizona Collection) Paperback – March 7, 2008
by Arizona Highways Editors and Contributor (Author)

tjphxaz Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Note you are from Baltimore. No big mountains there. The trip to Jerome would be a unique side adventure with some spectacular vistas. The drive north from Phoenix to Sedona on I-17 is scenic as well. Make a stop at Acrosanti.
Buy your AZ travel books directly from Arizona Highways and bypass the big box Amazon.
You can drive your own car through most of the scenic parts of Monument Valley. Save your guide money for a guided trip through Canyon de Chelly.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

I second Jerome! Sedona is nice and scenic. Haven't been to monument valley and have over in AZ over 35 years, but it is on my to do list.

tjphxaz Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Brian, I have done your intended route with visitor friends on several occasions. I caution you are packing a lot of windshield time into your trip from Sedona-Grand Canyon-Monument Valley-Phoenix. You would be better advised to drop a day or two from the Sedona trip and spend it more leisurely on the Grand Canyon - Monument Valley segments. Just my opinion having lived in AZ all my life. Sedona is a beautiful tourist trap.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

I also found this gentleman on Trip Advisor who goes by RedRox when planning our trip. He has over 40,000 posts and is an expert on Sedona, MV, Page, Jerome, Flagstaff, etc.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-forums/RedRox

As with all suggestions and tips, Your Mileage May Vary. Personally, I'll be back to Sedona for a full week and have considered buying property there, I find it so relaxing. Is it a small town with 3,000,000 visitors? Yes. Is tourism the main driver of their economy? Sure, its not farmland anymore.
Does that make it a tourist trap? Meh. Who cares if your having a good time? Is that necessarily a bad thing? ... not IMHO. How many visitors a year come to Washington, D.C. in your backyard?

I do agree that you may feel rushed between GC and MV and back to Phoenix. I think most of AZ needs to be enjoyed in the golden hours with a camera.

You may not be leaving enough time for that with all the highway time. Be careful driving highways at night out in the long stretches, apparently there is a real danger of animals crossing the roadway. Consider shaving a day off Sedona or adding a day to your vacation.

RedRox is a photog as well and gives great advice on drive time and set up time. Good luck!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

In spite of all the good suggestions here - don't try to get too much in. Sedona is a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy. There are some very nice day hikes - Boynton Canyon, Oak Creek, etc. (Not sure how much they may have been damaged by the floods a few years ago). If you don't get everything in - you will be back another time! More time at the GC - perhaps, but personally, my knees wouldn't allow doing the hike, and sitting atop a mule on a narrow trail on the side of a 5,000 foot deep canyon would give me a heart attack! I would suggest - for another trip - dropping south from Monument Valley to Chinle in the middle of the Navajo Reservation, and going on an early morning tour of the Canyon de Chelley. An awesome experience (lots of cliff dwellings throughout). Also evenings and mornings sitting on the rim of the canyon looking over to the White House Ruins is very mystical.

Springtime is also the best time to visit the Superstition Mountains out by Apache Junction - the cactus in bloom are spectacular.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Wow thanks for all these great suggestions. I think I'll have to save Canyon de Chelley for my next visit.
Yea I'm 6'3" and 220 (and that was pre-Holiday wt) I don't think I meet the height and weight restrictions for a mule trip. But it is a great idea.
I'm planning on relaxing and I know its weird but one of the ways I relax is by hiking and biking. So I'll be trying out those vortex's LOL.

The Superstitious mountains are a great idea for my final day in Phoenix. Thanks.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Thanks for the help. There will be 2 of us driving but I appreciate your advice and it will be heeded.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

LOL, I've already found out there is too much to do and am planning another trip to include Antelope Canyon, The Wave and the Vermillion Cliffs area.
Dang I should just move out there. Since its like 7º outside right now it seems like an awesome idea. LOL.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

There has been a LOT of development since I was last there - but southeast of Apache Junction there is the Peralta Trail - the trailhead is at the end of a road that comes of on the north side of HW 60. The highway has been developed so getting out there from Phoenix will be fast. A really nice day hike. It is wilderness area, so even if the adjacent area has been built up, the hike should still be nice. I am sure some hoggers who live there can fill you in.

http://alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/peralta-trail


http://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?oe=UTF8&ie=UTF8&om=1&msa=0&mid=z8fqywiQ2koQ.kxy5t7gLI2Zo

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Thanks for the info. I think the Canyon De Chelly trip will have to be for my next time in AZ. I think I already have too much to do.
I'll need a vacation from my vacation. LOL.