Phoenix AZ, Where to go for photo/camp/hike?

[Bob Wagner]

My family will be out of town for a few days so I want to explore my new surroundings with my 4x5 and/or 6x6. What suggestions do you have for not too strenuous hiking somewhere cooler than 110+ Phx, maybe around Payson or? I would prefer to start out close and gradually get familiar with the state. Not the Grand Canyon this time

 

[Paul Howell]

A good day trip is the Boyce Thompson Arbirum(sp?) in Superior, east on Az 60, its a State Park and opens early in the summer. Nice little hike with lots of native plants. Prescott by way of Wickenberg is a also a good day trip. Check out the Arizona Highways web site.

 

[Donald Miller]

Bob, Having just moved to Phoenix myself, I would recommend somewhere higher in elevation. Payson certainly fits into that parameter. Also north toward the flagpole (Flagstaff)...possibly Sedona...Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona comes to mind.

 

[Paul Howell]

I just checked out the State Parks website, most of the campsites in Northern Arizona are closed due to fire danger, I was up on highway 87 (The Beeline) on Saturday, 4 Peaks and most of the roads and trails are closed all the way to Payson, as are many of the trails and national forests on the Rim. DPS chased me off from an area I was shooting that had been burned. I don't know if Links Lake in Prescott is still open, but if it is you will need reservations.

 

[noseoil]

If you can get to Flagstaff, take highway 180 north out of town. The Snowbowl or forest road 151 to Hart Prairie is blooming now. Very nice and 8,600'. tim.

 

[Robert Kennedy]

The area around Camp Verde is really nice. Some neat scenery up there, but they have had fires in those parts so.....

 

[aj-images]

One of my favorite places in AZ is Fossil Springs which is located just outside of Strawberry. Great swimming holes and the creek is amazing.

 

[Paul Howell]

I think Fossil Springs is closed as well. Until we get some rain most of our usual hants are closed, but all of these suggestions are really great places and are worth the trip once the rains come.

 

[papagene]

I ain't been out that way in MANY years (yikes) but if Payson is off-limits, drats because I loved camping up in that area. Just beforee getting to Payson, there was a small canyon called Box Canyon that we used to like to hike into - but I can't remember exactly how to get there.
I imagine that the areas near Sedona are also closed. A hike down Snebley Hill Rd (sp?) was a favorite day trip of my father-in-law.
Good luck... stay cool... and wish I could be out there hiking with ya!

gene

 

[mark]

Another vote for strawberry and payson. Or Jerome, Prescott Oak Creek canyon( need a permit to park on the side of the road but well worth it) then to flagstaff and and hart prairie absolutely stunning when in bloom. Grab a hotel room in Prescott valley and get an early start to do the drive from their to Hart Prairie. PV is Cheaper than Prescott. No matter where you go it will be totally swamped with folks looking to beat the heat, so expect traffic if you go on the weekend. On the other hand weekdays are the perfect time to go. Rates are cheaper and the crowds are minimal. You could head up to Tucson and into the catalina mountains. If the Rincons are still burning it will be hazy though.

The Mogollon rim should be nice. Go through Payson and up. That is where Strawberry is. If a storm is brewing you will get one hell of a vista from the rim.

Remember to pack your polarizor and 81a warming filter if shooting color. An orange filter, and yellow green filter are the ticket for seperating the red rocks of northern AZ and the green pinon juniper. have fun.

 

[Aggie]

If many of the trails and such are closed, try Globe east of Phoenix. On the south side of town there is a city/state park with some explorable Hohokam ruins. It gives you a chance at some up close and personal type photos of the ancient indian ruins. You also have the reservoir that way. There is another park ruin site between Globe and Phoenix, but the trail going up to it is almost verticle. In this heat I would rather do the one that has no climb to it.

 

[aj-images]

In Prescott, Granite dells is a great spot to shoot. Definitely check out Oak Creek Canyon. Also try to visit Lockett Meadow in Flagstaff. Great place to get to know because in the fall, when the Aspens change, it is incredible. Also in the Fall, The Blue Range, which is amazing.

 

[roteague]

I remember when I lived in Phoenix.

Well, I would go much closer to home - drive out east to Apache Junction, then up to Lost Dutchman State Park or into the Superstitions. I always found it was about 10° cooler there than in the city - if you go in the late afternoon before sunset it isn't too bad.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Thanks for all your great suggestions, I'll file away the ones I can't get to right away. If I ever get the uploading thing figured out I'll post some results

 

[User Removed]

Take a look in my APUG gallery. A good portion of the images are all taken up in Prescott, AZ. It is 1hour from Phoenix. I would sugguest photographing at Lynx Lake, Granite Dells and even the historic downtown area there is a beautiful counthouse from the early 1900's.

I do not know what type of work you do, but they are getting lots of monsoon up theire right now...so its a good time if you do landscape! Lynx Lake has the best caming in all of Prescott...so I suggest you stay there if you camp.

If you have any question about where to go, stay, eat ect in Prescott...let me know. I was raised there and have lived there for the past 10-12 years.

Ryan McIntosh

 

[mitica100]

I just spent two days in Eastern AZ. I visited the Aravaipa Canyon and man, it is out of this world! To get there take 60 East, go through Globe-Miami then go towards Safford. Once in Safford you can take 191 South to 266 towards Bonita and Klondyke, both ghost towns. When arriving at Klondyke you will see a deserted General Store (for sale) and then the BLM Bureau lies just ahead. To get to the Canyon you need a BLM permit (shh... I went in anyway, they rarely check) and keep on going. Soon you will come to a stream which you will cross, if you have 4x4 wheels. Keep going until you arrive at the Aravaipa Canyon. I'm going to make a trip in October/November, when foliage is maxed out, shoot some 6x6 and a 4x5.

 

[BrianShaw]

How about photo essay: the life of the pizzaiola (I think that's how you spell the guy who makes pizza). Focus on Grimaldi's, Pizza Bianco, and any other high-end coal/wood-fired pizza place. Eat while shooting; watch waist-line expand dramatically!

 

[rbarker]

Drive to the end of your driveway, and then hike back into the air-conditioned house and do table-top?

 

[waynecrider]

I'd vote for either going towards Prescott or Apache Junction which are both easy day trips if you wish. For an overnighter, Prescott to Sedona thru Jerome and back. Strawberry is nice once back into the hills, but probably off limits. I've gone geode hunting up there. One thing about AZ, you can go just about any direction and find interesting things to shoot. For 2 to 3 days I'd personally head to the GC and stop in Sedona.

 

[mitica100]

Oh yes... Another one would be Canyon De Chelly in Northern Arizona. I like it better than the GC for photographic ops.