Trip out West

[PBrooks]

Hello, I'm trying to plan a trip to go out west starting end of March. Starting in Louisiana travel through Texas on I20 to Abilene head North to Lubbock. From there up to Clovis and McAllister where my mom was originally from, then up to I40. Ok, here is where I need your help. Would you stay on I40 to Pertrified Forest and then turn North at Flagstaff to head to South Rim or Head up through Santa Fe toward the 4corners area? Now I do plan on making the loop South Rim, Page, just not sure which to hit first. Arches and work my way down, just trying not to backtrack too much. Thank you in advance!
PBrooks

 

[PBrooks]

I forgot to add in my post that I do have all the Martres books.

 

[copake_ham]

The "straight" route from Flagstaff to the Southern Rim will take you slightly to the west of Monument Valley.

If you want to shoot MV - either figure a "spur" trip over that way out of Flagstaff or go up via SFe and 4 corners and then cut west to the Southern Rim from there.

 

[PBrooks]

Hello George, I would like to go into MV, but don't want to go in a group, all those P&S cameras and me with 1417. So if I do it will probably be just on the self guided tour. Is this a mistake!

 

[Don12x20]

In MV you can go by yourself but you must stay on the marked route. You will be cited if you are out of bounds (enforcement is heavier because the guides make a livelihood with $$$)

You can hire your own guide. Go to the visitor center. You'll find many. Be careful in choosing - do an interview and explain your particular interests and needs. Many will guide you but want to be home long before dark, so if you want early or late light, choose carefully. Do so by asking detailed questions that require more than a yes or no answer (too easily given and retracted later).

Remember that the Res runs on sheep time, not clock (western) time.... "time to put the sheep out"..."time to take the sheep in for the night" All else is "who cares".

Oh, by the way, setting up for a picture elsewhere on the Res without the local chapter permission can get you harrassed...as many have found around Kayenta making images of the local peaks like Agathla.

Remember at all times that you are a visitor on the Navajo NATION. Navajo Nation Laws may differ from your expectations of rights as a US Citizen. For example: setting foot on land that appears vacant along the highway, pulling off on dirt roads on the Res that aren't state highways(you'll need permit from local chapter house). There are a surprising number of eyes in the vacant landscape that are watching what you are doing...

 

[astroclimb]

You don't mention....

...if you want to see northern New Mexico, or make your way rapidly to Grand Canyon/MV area. If the latter and you choose to go the 4-corners route, you won't go to Santa Fe. Instead, head slightly up I-25 to Bernalillo, take NM 550 to Farmington and continue on. If the former, then the options grow mightly....

 

[vet173]

I would add escalante and pariah canyon to your list of stops.